Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

River
Entrance
CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA 2
CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA
CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA 1

Featured amenities

General Store General Store
Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Restrooms Restrooms
River Access River Access
Showers Showers

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

20 total sites

RV Sites

17 sites

Tent Sites

3 sites

About Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area sits in the scenic mountains of Pisgah National Forest. This is a great place for small to medium-sized groups to swim, fish, tube, hike, camp, picnic and simply relax in the cool shade of the forest.

Number of accommodations: 20

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer
Tubing

Tubing

Spring Summer Fall

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 4 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

General Store General Store
Pet friendly Pet friendly
Restrooms Restrooms
River Access River Access
Showers Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
  • Showers
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • General Store
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

20 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 02, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 03, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 05, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
07, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 09, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
28, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 30, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 31, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 32, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 33, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 34, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available
35, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 36, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (327)

What Guests Are Saying

Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area is praised for its beautiful location near the river, well-maintained facilities, and friendly hosts. Many visitors enjoy the campground's relaxing atmosphere, ample opportunities for swimming and tubing, and the accessibility of nearby trails. While some issues with noise and management have been noted, the overall experience remains positive, with many campers expressing a desire to return.

Review Summary

4.3
327 reviews
5
61.2%
200
4
20.8%
68
3
9.5%
31
2
4.9%
16
1
3.7%
12

Jerry M

Verified

June 12, 2026 Stayed at: 05, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Beautiful campsite & campground - river next to campsites - saw people catching trout - also met a beautiful girl. - great trip!

BETH S

Verified

June 11, 2026 Stayed at: 12, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Lovely campground with wonderful river access

GREG G

June 7, 2026

5

Beautiful spot next to the river! Giant bbq was fun to use.

Nicholas C

Verified

June 5, 2026 Stayed at: 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Great! Stayed 3 nights, loved the forest spot, easy/quick access to Mt Rogers, a couple local waterfalls on the Toe River. Did not take advantage of anything more than the location for tent camping as a hub for hiking in the Pisgah, running over to Asheville, etc.

Ronald P

Verified

June 3, 2026 Stayed at: 31, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

One of the prettiest places we have stayed. Lots of trees and rhododendrons, large sites. The only ones I wouldn’t like would be the ones right next to the bathrooms, where there is always light. Gorgeous spot right along the Toe River. Nice host as well.

Kate D

Verified

May 15, 2026 Stayed at: 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Loved camping here. The river is gorgeous, the facilities were great (nice hot showers), camp host was very helpful. Will absolutely be back. Tent sites 4, 6, and 7 are perfect.

brandon e

Verified

May 14, 2026 Stayed at: 31, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Very fun place well kept. Bathrooms warm and nice. We got site 31 would be a little crammed for a family but very nice for two. Dog friendly and the people that keep the place up were nice.

Andrew T

Verified

May 7, 2026 Stayed at: 04, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Campground is very nice and quiet. Bathroom facilites were clean. Sites were well maintained. Perfect location to stay out if you are hiking Mount Mitchell since its only a short drive to black mountain campground.

Mary Lynne A

Verified

May 3, 2026 Stayed at: 13, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

4

We camped in sites 13 and 15. Absolutely beautiful location overlooking the South Toe River. The facility was clean, the other campers were respectful of the campground rules, and the host was very friendly.

Because of the extreme drought conditions campfires were prohibited. I love a good campfire but totally understood the need for the burn ban. The upside to it was none of our camping gear smelled of smoke and we got to enjoy the beautiful dark night sky.

There is a general store within walking distance of the campground and they carry most anything you may have forgotten, might need, along with some things you didn’t know you needed. The store staff is friendly and helpful and might share some tips on the best places to catch a Rainbow trout.

My only concern with the trip was the quality of the water in the campground. In both the outside water stations and in the bathrooms the water was discolored. I would not want to drink it, cook with it, or wash dishes in it. I was hesitant to take a shower. Luckily I always bring several 5 gallon water jugs from home and I suggest other campers do the same. Not sure if the low water table was impacting the water quality or what was the issue. I don’t remember it being so brown in previous camping trips.

Alice W

Verified

April 18, 2026 Stayed at: 33, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

5

Clean and quiet

Location Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

Address:
8516 Highway 80 South
Burnsville, NC, 28714
United States

Highway access

Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is accessible via I-26, with exit 9 leading to Highway 19, which connects to State Highway 80. Highway 80 provides direct access to the campground.

Elevation: 842 feet

Distance to downtown

14 mi drive to downtown Burnsville (about 21 min)

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 7, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service