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North Mills River
FSU.S. Forest Service — MILLS RIVER · North Carolina · National Forests in North Carolina
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Location | MILLS RIVER · North Carolina · National Forests in North Carolina · 35.40722, -82.64583 · Map |
| Sites | 25 public sites counted from the federal listing — 20 standard nonelectric; 3 tent only nonelectric; 1 rv electric; 1 group tent only area nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 2 of 25 sites Water hookups at 2 of 25 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 25 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 25 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 35 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 10 sites · 30 ft: 9 sites · 35 ft: 5 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 9 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | (828) 552-8040 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview North Mills River Campground is a rustic mountain getaway in Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Located just outside the popular city of Asheville, the campground provides access to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including an arboretum, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and numerous hiking, fishing, and mountain biking opportunities.
Winter Operations (November 16, 2025 - March 20, 2026):
During winter months, this facility operates with limited services:
No running water
No electricity
Pit toilets only
Sites 1-13 are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $15 per night (14-day stay limit) . Sites 14-26 are closed during winter. Payment by cash or check must be placed in the fee tube within 30 minutes of arrival. Winter sites cannot be reserved online.
Recreation The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are near the campground. Mills River offers excellent trout fishing, as well as tubing and swimming, which are kid-friendly favorite activities. Visitors wishing to learn more about the area can attend educational programs during the summer. Facilities This is a relatively small facility with campsites organized into two loops on opposite sides of the river. Sites are mostly shaded and lie within a short distance of the water.
The facility provides picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, in addition to restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Campers can purchase firewood and fire starter on-site. Natural Features The campground is situated in the Appalachian Mountains at an elevation of 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes densely forested with hardwoods. The group camping area is adjacent to the beautiful, shallow waters of the Mills River. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-4167. Nearby Attractions Several natural and cultural attractions are within close proximity to the campground. Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway are among the most popular sites. The small town of Brevard offers various amenities and services, and visitors can take a trip to Asheville to visit art galleries, music venues, shops and restaurants.
Directions, from the listing
From Asheville, take U.S. Highway 280 west to North Mills River Road. Follow North Mills River Road to the campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · Pisgah Forest North CarolinaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLake Powhatan
5 mi straight-line · ASHEVILLE North CarolinaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLake Powhatan Glamping
5 mi straight-line · ASHEVILLE North CarolinaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWolf Ford Horse Camp
6 mi straight-line · PISGAH FOREST North CarolinaNPSNational Park ServiceMount Pisgah Campground
6 mi straight-line · Canton North Carolina
Trip Card — North Mills River
MILLS RIVER · North Carolina · National Forests in North Carolina
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | MILLS RIVER · North Carolina · National Forests in North Carolina |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 2 |
| Max RV | Up to 35 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 25 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232380 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.