Top Camping Spots Near McKinney Cove, NC: Experience Nature's Best Getaways
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of McKinney Cove, NC, outdoor enthusiasts will find an array of camping options that cater to both novice and seasoned campers alike. For RV lovers, the nearby Lake Catawba Campground offers spacious, full-hookup sites surrounded by towering pines and scenic water views, perfect for enjoying the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort. Tent campers can explore the lush greenery at the Smoky Mountain National Park, where designated sites provide a serene escape with proximity to hiking trails that meander through stunning mountain vistas and vibrant wildlife. For those seeking an adventurous throwback to primitive camping, dispersed camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway allows for an off-the-grid experience amidst breathtaking views of rolling hills and starry skies. With the gentle currents of local streams and vibrant wildflowers, each camping option near McKinney Cove reveals the natural charm of North Carolina's landscape. Whether you prefer the conveniences of an RV site, the simplicity of tent camping, or the freedom of a secluded spot in nature, McKinney Cove provides a gateway to unforgettable outdoor experiences.

















Linville Falls Campground is part of Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina (1 hr 9 min southeast of Johnson City, TN) with an elevation of 3,225 feet. There are a total of 64 campsites including 16 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of November. 48 sites can accommodate RVs between 17 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $35.00. Some amenities include dump station, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Rock Creek Rec Area is located in the Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (just 26 min south of Johnson City, TN) with an elevation of 2,422 feet. There are a total of 34 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. 24 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 1 site has electric and water hookups. 32 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, playground, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area is located in the Appalachian Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 3 min northeast of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,760 feet. There are a total of 39 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 34 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 3 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $28.00 to $70.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports, rock climbing.
Dennis Cove Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (40 min east of Johnson City, TN) with an elevation of 2,620 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $10.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Cardens Bluff Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (32 min east of Johnson City, TN) with an elevation of 2,031 feet. There are a total of 40 campsites including 36 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. 4 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $12.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Black Mountain Campground is located in the Appalachian Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 16 min northeast of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,005 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 34 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 2 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $56.00. Some amenities include dump station, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Briar Bottom Group Campground is located in the Appalachian Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 16 min northeast of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,010 feet. There are a total of 6 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $100.00 per night. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports, rock climbing.
Curtis Creek Campground is located in the Grandfather Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (39 min east of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 1,728 feet. There are a total of 24 campsites including 15 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of March to the end of December. 9 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 90 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Julian Price Campground is part of Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina (1 hr 1 min northwest of Hickory, NC) with an elevation of 3,365 feet. There are a total of 193 campsites including 90 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of November. 100 sites can accommodate RVs between 16 and 92 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, boat ramp, restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater, flush toilets, water sports rental. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Little Oak Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (43 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 1,773 feet. There are a total of 65 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of November. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $12.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Backbone Rock Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (49 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 2,238 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 90 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $10.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Lake Powhatan Campground is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (just 21 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,252 feet. There are a total of 79 campsites including 25 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 45 sites can accommodate RVs between 28 and 76 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 17 sites have electric and water hookups. 4 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $88.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Lake Powhatan Glamping Campground is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (just 19 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,250 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid March to mid November. Max equipment length is 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $100.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Love's RV Hookup-Bulls Gap TN 787 in Greene County is located just 27 min east of Morristown, TN with an elevation of 1,169 feet. There are a total of 9 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, wifi, general store, laundry facility, restroom, gasoline pump, ice, flush toilets.
Warrior Creek Campground in Wilkes County is located 55 min north of Hickory, NC with an elevation of 1,033 feet. There are a total of 63 campsites including 8 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid October. 55 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 33 and 145 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 61 sites have electric and water hookups. 2 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $85.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, amphitheater. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Fort Hamby Park Campground in Wilkes County is located 59 min north of Hickory, NC with an elevation of 1,237 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 32 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 143 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 32 sites have electric and water hookups. 3 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $125.00. Some amenities include shower, playground, swimming, amphitheater. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, archery.
Harmon Den Horse Campground is located in the Appalachian Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (59 min northwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,895 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Max equipment length is 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Bandits Roost Campground in Wilkes County is located 54 min north of Hickory, NC with an elevation of 1,062 feet. There are a total of 103 campsites including 18 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid October. 85 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 148 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 85 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $85.00. Some amenities include shower, sewer hookup, wifi, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster, ramada, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Wash Creek Horse Camp is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (40 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,455 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
North Mills River Campground is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (33 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,225 feet. There are a total of 25 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is open all year. 23 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 2 sites have water hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $56.00. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Beartree Campground is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 8 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 3,363 feet. There are a total of 73 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 72 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $24.00 to $85.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, playground, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Mount Pisgah Campground is part of Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina (38 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 4,939 feet. There are a total of 126 campsites including 65 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of November. 61 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Grayson Highlands Campground is part of Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia (1 hr 33 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 4,665 feet. There are a total of 96 campsites including 5 cabins. The campground is normally open from the beginning of March to the beginning of December. 79 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 55 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. 62 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $109.00. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Grindstone Campground is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 5 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 3,801 feet. There are a total of 82 campsites including 16 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. 66 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 120 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 44 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $36.00. Some amenities include playground. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Natural Tunnel Campground is part of Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia (39 min northwest of Kingsport, TN) with an elevation of 1,315 feet. There are a total of 52 campsites including 18 cabins. The campground is open all year. 41 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 38 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 34 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $35.00 to $386.00. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Big Creek Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (51 min southeast of Morristown, TN) with an elevation of 1,563 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $36.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom, horse stable, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Big Creek Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (55 min southeast of Morristown, TN) with an elevation of 1,694 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Big Creek Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (51 min southeast of Morristown, TN) with an elevation of 1,700 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Max equipment length is 18 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cataloochee Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 5 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,535 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $50.00 per night.
Fox Creek Horse Camp is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 6 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 3,445 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. Max equipment length is 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $5.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding.