USDA Forest Service · North Carolina
North Mills River
USDA Forest Service · North Carolina, United States
- Sites
- 29
- Hookups
- 1 electric, 10 with water, 24 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Max RV length
- 35 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,303 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 4
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- YELLOW GAP (NFSR 1206) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- National Forests in North Carolina
- Nearest town
- MILLS RIVER
- Address
- 5289 N. MILLS RIVER ROAD, MILLS RIVER, NC, 28742
- Phone
- (828) 552-8040
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming Site, Water Sports
17 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 26° | 9° | 65° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 51° | 33° | 19° | 72° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 61° | 39° | 12° | 76° | 7 of 11 |
| April | 68° | 45° | 29° | 83° | 3 of 11 |
| May | 74° | 57° | 39° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 80° | 62° | 51° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 84° | 66° | 57° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 66° | 59° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 77° | 62° | 49° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 45° | 30° | 81° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 57° | 37° | 22° | 70° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 48° | 30° | 10° | 63° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Hendersonville Reservoir Rd Roadside Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Yellow Gap Roadside Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Wash Creek Horse Camp · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 1 sites
- Wash Creek Roadside Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Lake Powhatan · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 84 sites
All public campgrounds in North Carolina · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.