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

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.

Available sites

20 total sites

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
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 02, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 03, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 04, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 05, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 06, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved
⛺ 07, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 08, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved
🚐 09, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 12, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 13, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 28, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 29, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 30, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 31, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 32, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 33, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 34, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 35, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Full shade
🚐 36, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews

341 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.3

Overall rating

Based on 341 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 61.0% (208)
4 stars 21.4% (73)
3 stars 9.4% (32)
2 stars 4.7% (16)
1 star 3.5% (12)

Showing 341 reviews

Sheryl H

September 3, 2025

With the days getting shorter the pavilion would be much better with the electricity repaired. This was an issue before Helene. In general, the location has made great efforts after the storm, including new picnic tables. We’re very thankful they were able to open this summer.

Helpful

Sheryl H

September 3, 2025

With the days getting shorter the pavilion would be much better with the electricity repaired. This was an issue before Helene. In general, the location has made great efforts after the storm, including new picnic tables. We’re very thankful they were able to open this summer.

Helpful

Daniel M

Verified

August 24, 2025 Stayed at: 03, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

Always a great time at the Hemlocks. Aight was clean when we arrived and staff was friendly

Helpful

Daniel M

Verified

August 24, 2025 Stayed at: 03, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

Always a great time at the Hemlocks. Aight was clean when we arrived and staff was friendly

Helpful

Laura N

Verified

August 16, 2025 Stayed at: 32, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

This is a lovely place. It’s natural, functional, and the river is beautiful too. All the staff were nice. All the other campers were quiet and nice. Kids were pulling in trout, so excited. Others were riding rapids. The current was strong for a good workout swimming. Three and four generation families made many of the groups of locals. Hot clean showers. Clean air, clean water.

Helpful

Laura N

Verified

August 16, 2025 Stayed at: 32, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

This is a lovely place. It’s natural, functional, and the river is beautiful too. All the staff were nice. All the other campers were quiet and nice. Kids were pulling in trout, so excited. Others were riding rapids. The current was strong for a good workout swimming. Three and four generation families made many of the groups of locals. Hot clean showers. Clean air, clean water.

Helpful

Joe F

Verified

August 6, 2025 Stayed at: 02, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

Beautiful quiet excellent all around experience. There will definitely be a return visit.

Helpful

Joe F

Verified

August 6, 2025 Stayed at: 02, Loop: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA

Beautiful quiet excellent all around experience. There will definitely be a return visit.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

8516 Highway 80 South, Burnsville, NC 28714 United States

Elevation: 842 ft

Getting There

From Asheville, North Carolina, take I-26 west to exit 9, onto 19 east toward Burnsville. Follow 19 to Micaville and turn right onto Highway 80. Follow 80 south approximately 8 mi to the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area.

Nearest town

Burnsville, NC - 14 mi

About 21 min to downtown

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.

Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The closest entrance is: Cataloochee Entrance

Approximate drive: 60 mi · over 1 hr (103 min)

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 21, 2026

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Explore Burnsville, NC

Population: 2,082

Nearby city: Asheville, NC

Approx. 24 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,815 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service