North Mills River

4.69

383 reviews

5289 N. MILLS RIVER ROAD

Featured in:Hiking Camping North Carolina#3 Summer Camping North Carolina Fishing Camping North Carolina +8 more

Quick Facts

2,200 ft

Price

$14 - $62/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

26 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Naventure site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

2,200 ft

Price

$14 - $62/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

26 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Naventure site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

North Mills River

$14.00 - $62.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees vary based on site type and season. Peak season rates range from $31-$62 for standard non-electric sites and $46 for RV electric sites. Group...

Standard Site Fee$31.00

Hookup Site Fee$46.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$50.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(828) 552-8040

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What Campers Say

4.69

Top-Rated

Based on 383 reviews

32 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanrestroomsspaciousfriendly

"North Mills River Campground is highly rated for its cleanliness, peaceful atmosphere, and excellent location near hiking trails and outdoor activities. Several users praised the friendly and helpful campground hosts. However, some reviews noted issues with site privacy, maintenance needs, and occasional staff rudeness."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

5289 N. MILLS RIVER ROAD

North Mills River

5289 N. MILLS RIVER ROAD

Driving directionsFrom Asheville, take U.S. Highway 280 west to North Mills River Road. Follow North Mills River Road to the campground.

The roads leading to the campground are accessible year-round and well-maintained. However, some user reviews noted difficulty on a dirt forest road due to lack of signage for the office and overgrown vegetation.

Nearby places

Asheville (~20 miles), Brevard (~16 miles), Hendersonville (~22 miles)

Nearby supplies

Grocery, fuel, and camping supplies are available in Mills River (~5 miles away) and Brevard (~16 miles away). An Ingles supermarket is located conveniently at the entrance of North Mills River Road.

Best Time to Camp at North Mills River

Each season paints North Mills River with its own distinctive palette. Spring arrives with wildflower blooms and refreshing mountain showers, creating ideal conditions for hiking and wildlife watching. Summer brings warm days perfect for splashing in cool river waters, though afternoon thunderstorms add drama to the mountain landscape. When autumn arrives, the campground transforms into a photographer's paradise as the surrounding forests explode in brilliant reds, oranges, and golds. Winter offers a quieter experience with limited services, but those seeking solitude will find the frost-kissed landscape and potential dustings of snow create a magical atmosphere for the adventurous soul.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Busiest season; families enjoy river activities and hiking; highly praised in reviews.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall foliage and quieter conditions make this season excellent for visits.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring brings wildflowers, good hiking and wildlife activity; reviewers highlight blooms.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Open year-round but services are limited Nov–Mar; fewer visitors and constrained amenities.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 21, 2025 - November 15, 2025 (and similar dates for subsequent years).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Campground is open year-round; walk-up sites only and limited services from November to March.
Current Alerts: Warnings about seasonal road washouts and limited off-season services are in place.

About North Mills River

Nestled deep within the enchanting Pisgah National Forest, North Mills River Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its perfect blend of mountain tranquility and adventure. This rustic hideaway invites you to wake up to the gentle sounds of the Mills River, spend your days exploring endless trails by foot or bike, and cast a line for native trout in crystal-clear mountain waters. Two thoughtfully designed camping loops offer shaded sites beneath a canopy of ancient hardwoods, each equipped with picnic tables and fire rings for those memorable evening gatherings. Modern comforts haven't been forgotten—clean restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets ensure you can refresh after a day of mountain exploration.

The campground offers standard non-electric sites, RV spaces with electricity, and group camping areas. Primitive camping options are not explicitly noted.

Historical SignificanceThe spirit of Appalachia runs deep through these ancient mountains, where generations of mountain families once called these forests home. Today, North Mills River serves as your gateway to experiencing this rich cultural tapestry. The legendary Blue Ridge Parkway winds through nearby peaks, offering scenic drives through history, while the vibrant arts and mountain culture scene of Asheville lies just a short drive away. Here, you're not just camping—you're stepping into centuries of Appalachian stories, from Cherokee heritage to the pioneering mountain settlers who shaped this rugged landscape.

Weather and SeasonsEach season paints North Mills River with its own distinctive palette. Spring arrives with wildflower blooms and refreshing mountain showers, creating ideal conditions for hiking and wildlife watching. Summer brings warm days perfect for splashing in cool river waters, though afternoon thunderstorms add drama to the mountain landscape. When autumn arrives, the campground transforms into a photographer's paradise as the surrounding forests explode in brilliant reds, oranges, and golds. Winter offers a quieter experience with limited services, but those seeking solitude will find the frost-kissed landscape and potential dustings of snow create a magical atmosphere for the adventurous soul.

ElevationPerched at 2,200 feet above sea level, North Mills River Campground offers a refreshing escape from summer's heat while providing those breathtaking mountain vistas that make the Appalachians famous. This sweet-spot elevation means you'll enjoy noticeably cooler temperatures than the valleys below—perfect for comfortable sleeping on summer nights and crisp, invigorating mornings year-round. The mountain air at this height carries the scent of pine and wildflowers, while the elevated perspective offers glimpses through the trees of distant ridgelines fading into the blue haze that gives these mountains their name.

Natural Features and SceneryAt 2,200 feet in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, North Mills River Campground immerses you in a landscape that seems pulled from a storybook. Towering hardwoods create a living cathedral overhead, their branches filtering sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. The Mills River meanders through the campground with its shallow, rocky waters that invite wading and quiet contemplation. Hidden throughout the surrounding forest, cascading waterfalls tumble over moss-covered rocks, rewarding hikers with spectacular photo opportunities and natural swimming holes that have refreshed visitors for generations.

Geological RegionYour camping adventure unfolds in one of Earth's oldest mountain ranges—the majestic Appalachians of Pisgah National Forest. These ancient peaks, worn smooth by millions of years of wind and rain, create a landscape of rolling mile-high mountains draped in dense hardwood forests. The geological story here is written in every rocky outcrop and carved valley, where countless streams have sculpted dramatic gorges and created the cascading waterfalls that make this region famous. This is a place where the very rocks beneath your feet connect you to a primordial past, while the ever-changing forest above reminds you of nature's endless capacity for renewal.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

Check-out

Check-out time is by 11:00 AM.

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Sites allow up to 2 tents and 2 vehicles per site
additional vehicle fee is $5.

Groups

The group camping area is located adjacent to the Mills River and offers ample space for larger parties. One reviewer described it as 'perfect for one tent and a canopy,' while another noted, 'The group site is a little hard to find if you haven't been to the park before.'

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutCampsites are organized into two loops, offering reasonable spacing and privacy.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are available through Recreation.gov online or via phone.

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served sites are available during off-peak periods from November 16 to March 20.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled at any time before the check-in date with a $10 cancellation fee. Late cancellations incur additional fees, including forfeiture of the first night's use fee for individual sites, and stricter policies apply to group sites.

AccessibilityThe campground has accessible restrooms and shower facilities, though some users noted that additional features for disabled campers, like easier restroom access, would be beneficial.

Site SizeCampsite sizes vary, with some sites accommodating large tents and RVs. One camper noted, 'We have a huge bell-style (teepee) tent and it takes up a giant footprint. Not that many sites can accommodate that—site 3 and 4 could.

PrivacyThe level of privacy varies across the campground. Many sites are described as spacious and screened with vegetation, offering a secluded experience. However, other sites are noted to be closer together, with reduced privacy. One user stated, 'This is a small, cozy campground with large sites that have rhododendron and other vegetation barriers providing privacy for each campsite.

Total Campsites26 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid sites 005 and 007 due to proximity to bathrooms, which some reviewers found unpleasant.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Activities you can enjoy

North Mills River Campground provides a diverse range of recreational activities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, tubing, swimming, and mountain biking. The proximity to Pisgah National Forest and Mills River enhances the opportunities for outdoor activities.

HikingThe campground is surrounded by several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels in Pisgah National Forest. One user highlighted, 'Great hiking nearby and not crowded like on the Parkway,' while another noted the convenience of being able to 'roll right out of our campsite and climb up to the trails!'

FishingMills River is well-suited for trout fishing, with several reviewers praising the quality of fishing. 'The river was great to splash around in,' said one user. Another remarked, 'It's a campground and a river full of trout. Good facilities so it's way ahead of the woods.'

SwimmingSwimming in the Mills River is a popular activity, particularly for families. One reviewer stated, 'The river is great for taking a dip in, very cold and refreshing.'

BikingThe site provides excellent access to mountain biking trails. One user noted, 'LOVE that we can roll right out of our campsite and climb up to the trails! Mountain biking was great.'

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a notable activity at the campground. Reviewers have mentioned spotting trout in the river, as well as other forest wildlife. One user commented, 'We even saw a great blue heron fishing when we arrived.'

Cultural and Educational ProgramsEducational programs are offered during the summer. Specific topics or schedules are not provided in the source.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBlack bears are common, requiring strict food storage practices. Poison ivy is prevalent, and some sites have steep terrain posing a challenge for RV entry.

Active AlertsWarnings about seasonal road washouts and limited off-season services are in place.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Food Storage RequiredBear boxes are provided at each site for safe food storage, ensuring safety in black bear territory.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed in designated fire rings. Visitors are advised to purchase local firewood to prevent invasive species.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are enforced from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are in Mills River, approximately 5 miles away, with nearby hospitals, police stations, and a fire department.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are on-site, and campers are encouraged to dispose of waste properly. Some users noted that bear boxes and trash poles are provided at each site to ensure safe waste management in this black bear territory.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to Mills River, with opportunities for fishing, tubing, and swimming.

Camp HostHosts Keith and Diana are noted for their friendliness and diligence in maintaining cleanliness and addressing camper needs.

Weather at North Mills River

Reviews

4.7

383 reviews

Top-Rated

North Mills River is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

North Mills River Campground is highly rated for its cleanliness, peaceful atmosphere, and excellent location near hiking trails and outdoor activities. Several users praised the friendly and helpful campground hosts. However, some reviews noted issues with site privacy, maintenance needs, and occasional staff rudeness.

Review Summaries

Based on 383 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean restrooms, friendly camp hosts, spacious sites, excellent trout fishing, proximity to Asheville and Pisgah National Forest, and well-maintained facilities.

Based on 383 reviews

Common Concerns

Some complaints include tight site spacing, limited privacy, outdated or insufficient restroom facilities, and occasional issues with campground staff.

Based on 383 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring heavy-duty tent stakes for the gravel pads, and download trail maps in advance due to the lack of cell service. Reserve early for weekends and holidays, as the campground fills up quickly.

Based on 383 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the busiest season, with families enjoying water activities and hiking. Fall offers beautiful foliage and quieter conditions, while winter has limited services and fewer visitors.

Based on 383 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Bathrooms and showers were very clean and easily accessible.' 2. 'We even saw a great blue heron fishing when we arrived.' 3. 'No cell service for several miles. If you're hiking, download those...

Based on 383 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 12 is described as spacious and ideal for families with children. Site 14 is the only site with electricity. Sites 4 and 10 are highlighted for their privacy, while sites 7 and 5 are less...

Based on 383 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible restrooms and shower facilities are available, though some users noted that additional accommodations for disabled campers would be helpful.

Based on 383 reviews