Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area
National Forests in North Carolina — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: BURNSVILLE, NC, NC
Price: From $28 per night
Price range: $28–$70 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (148 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area offers 35 primitive campsites, sites equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. The facility provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/carolina-hemlocks-rec-area to be notified when sites open up.
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area sits in the scenic mountains of Pisgah National Forest and provides excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, tubing, hiking, and camping in cool forest shade. The river offers endless recreation for families and water enthusiasts.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area; also Southern Flying Squirrel, White-tailed Deer, Common Merganser, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Ringneck Snake, Queensnake, and Eastern Garter Snake documented within 8km.
Insider tips for Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Firewood available for sale on-site Suitable for self-contained RVs despite lack of hookups
Skip Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area if: You need RV hookups—none available at most sites. You need to camp outside May-October—seasonal operations only. You're visiting with large groups—best for small to medium-sized groups.
Best time to visit Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Briar Bottom Group Campground (BURNSVILLE, NC), Curtis Creek Campground (Nc) (Nebo, NC), Linville Falls Campground (Asheville, NC), Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, Tn) (Greeneville, TN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area
Cell signal at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area (BURNSVILLE, NC): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area offers 35 primitive campsites, sites equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. The facility provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Firewood available for sale on-site
Suitable for self-contained RVs despite lack of hookups
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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 miles to the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — National Forests in North Carolina fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at National Forests in North Carolina before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area cost per night?+
What season is Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area open?+
Does Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?+
How do I make reservations at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?+
What is the cell service like at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?+
What season is Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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