Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

Campground · North Carolina · 39 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Pisgah National Forest (NF) · Open Access

39
Bookable sites
35 ft
Max rig length
up to 30
People per site
4
Accessible sites
2,759 ft
Elevation
River
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

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.

Recreation

The river provides endless hours of fun for families and water enthusiasts, including swimming and tubing. Anglers can also try their luck for trout and smallmouth bass from the shore. Picnickers will enjoy relaxing in the shaded picnic shelter set amidst the deep woods. After eating, visitors can take a leisurely walk along a one-mile trail or get a workout on a 3.8-mile trail.

Facilities

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. Campers can purchase firewood, ice, tee shirts, souvenirs.

Natural Features

As the name suggests, Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is shaded by a thick hemlock forest with a mix of deciduous trees and rhododendrons. The facility is adjacent to the South Toe River and sits at an elevation of 2,900 feet.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors can enjoy scenic driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park.

The facts

  • Season: April 15th – October 30th — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 39 bookable sites
  • 4 sites for day use only
  • 4 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 35 ft
  • Up to 30 people per site
  • Loops: CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA, GROUP PAVILLION

Site types

  • 35 Standard Nonelectric
  • 3 Group Shelter Electric
  • 1 Group Shelter Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Electric hookups
  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Grills
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

39 campsites at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeAccessWaterMax rigPeople
01CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
02CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—35 ft8 🐾
03CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
04CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
05CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
06CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard Nonelectric—Paved—Hike In——8 🐾
07CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard Nonelectric—Paved—Hike In——8 🐾
08CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard Nonelectric—Paved—Hike In——8 🐾
09CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
12CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
13CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
14CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
15CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
16CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
17CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
18CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
19CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
20CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedSlightDrive In—35 ft8 🐾
21CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
22CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
23CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
24CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
25CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
26CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
27CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedSlightDrive In—35 ft8 🐾
28CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
29CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—15 ft8 🐾
30CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—15 ft8 🐾
31CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
32CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
33CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
34CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
35CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
36CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
37CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Drive In—30 ft8 🐾
Pavilion Carolina HemlockCAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREAGroup Shelter Nonelectric————Lakefront—30♿ 🐾
GP1AMGROUP PAVILLIONGroup Shelter Electric————Lakefront—30♿ 🐾
GP1PMGROUP PAVILLIONGroup Shelter Electric————Lakefront—30♿ 🐾
GRP1GROUP PAVILLIONGroup Shelter Electric————Lakefront—30♿ 🐾

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.

35.80444, -82.20444 · 35°48'16.0"N 82°12'16.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 79°F in Jul, down to 45°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F454956657176797873655648
Low °F232632404856595852413126
Precip in5.94.65.36.05.95.85.85.66.04.34.54.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA
CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA 1
Photo: Unknown · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

Can you reserve a site at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?
Yes, Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area have?
39 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?
35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area.
Does Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area have hookups?
Electric.
Are campfires allowed at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area?
Campfires are allowed at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • There are fees for camping and day-use. The site is operated by FIND Outdoors. See FIND website.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.