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A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service campground

North Mills River

Forest Service campground in National Forests in North Carolina, Henderson County, North Carolina. 2,225 feet. 3.7 miles from Mills River.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina
Elevation
2,225 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
25 20 standard non-electric, 3 tent only non-electric, 1 rv electric
Longest rig
35 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
Water
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Henderson County

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.

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.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site
  • water sports

The land around North Mills River

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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