Lake Powhatan is the finest in Asheville camping and is close to all the action of downtown! Located only 10 minutes from Asheville, North Carolina, this is the perfect spot to base your vacation. The campground borders the 6,000-acre Bent Creek Experimental Forest, a haven for mountain bikers, and is close to the French Broad River. The swimming lake and beach will give you a way to cool off in the heat of the summer, and for those who like to be out-and-about, the NC Arboretum and Blue Ridge Parkway are only a few miles from the entrance to the campground.  Looking for camping in Asheville, NC?  Nearby campgrounds in the area include North Mills River and Davidson River.


Available Facilities

March 24th - November 15th

  • Check-in starts at 2pm, gatehouse is staffed until 8pm.

  • 75 campsites for both tents and RV's

  • Picnic tables, tent pads, fire rings & lantern poles

  • Hot showers and flush toilets

  • Several campground loops with river access

  • Dump Station

  • Potable water filling station

November 16th - March 29th

  • Check-in at 2pm

  • 39 campsites for both tents and RV's

  • Reservations are preferred and required for multi day stays

  • First Come, First Serve sites only available for 24 hours at time (Winter only)

  • Picnic tables, tent pads, fire rings & lantern poles

  • Hot showers and flush toilets

  • Dump Station

Day Use Info

  • Day Use per person: $5 per person (March 24 - November 15)

  • Day Use Season Pass: $40 per person. Children 5 years old and younger are free. Pass good for 1 year from date of purchase. Available for purchase at the gatehouse.

NOTE: Lake Powhatan is located in black bear territory. Visitors are expected to keep all smellable items locked away inside a camper or vehicle. Visitors who do not comply with this rule may be asked to vacate the facility due to an increased risk of public safety.

Safety in bear country begins before you stay in the campground or hit the trail.  Here are a few tips!

Walk-Up Site Information

Walk-Up Sites will not be available at Lake Powhatan during the summer and fall.
Reservations can not be made at the gatehouse. You must make reservations by visiting recreation.gov

Camping Fees

  • Single Campsite: $32 (Maximum Occupancy: 8 persons, 2 cars)

    • w/ Electric Hookup: +$7.00/day

    • w/ Full Hookup: +$12.00/day

  • Double Campsite: $64 (Maximum Occupancy: 16 persons, 4 cars, 4 tents)

    • w/ Full Hookup: +$24.00/day

*Federal Interagency Senior/Access discounts only apply to single standard site rate. Does not apply to any other items or services. Card holder must be present on site to use discount.

Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted at this facility. Cards are preferred. Please be sure to have exact change if you will be paying fees with cash.

 

Things to Do

  • Schedule a private hiking or waterfall tour with the Pisgah Field School
  • NC Arboretum
  • Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Tubing on the French Broad River
  • Visit unique Asheville, NC
  • Mountain Biking on Bent Creek Trails

Contact Information

Call:  1-828-577-7278

Powhatan@AdventurePisgah.com

375 Wesley Branch Road
Asheville, NC 28806

GPS: N35.48773  W82.62966

Elevation: 2,100 feet