I've not camped near Asheville but I've been camping a little further north up on the Parkway. I googled these 2 campgrounds near Asheville:

http://www.ashevillenclodging.worldweb.com/Campgrounds/index.html

Crabtree Campground is very nice & has a nice walk to a gorgeous waterfall:

http://www.nps.gov/blri/crabtree.htm

Mount Mitchell has camping too, it's a bit closer to Asheville:

http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject//visit/momi/do.html

Linville also offers camping. I've not camped there but have been through it. It also has a nice waterfall hike:

http://www.linvillefalls.com/

None of these campgrounds are more than an hour away from Asheville. The Parkway is my most favorite place on earth!!!

If you let me know the specifics of your trip I can suggest some things to do & see.

Nancy

Smoky Mountain Meadows is nice and there are creekside sites available for RVs. Just don't go during the week of July 4th or the weekends just before and after as the Carolina Canoe Club descends on the campground bringing hundreds of people. August should be fine.

http://smmcamp.tripod.com/

The campground is about 45 minutes west of Asheville, right down the road from the Nantahala Outdoor Center
www.noc.com (WW rafting trips, restaurants, outdoor center, mountain bike rentals, generally fun place to hang out by the river and watch people go over the Nantahala Falls)

Nantahala Village
www.nvnc.com (they have a nice restaurant)

and Tsali Recreational Area (if you are into mountain biking)

If you are in Asheville, you must go eat at Salsa's. Have fun!

If you go to the main campground in Linville just off the Parkway and ask the ranger for a 'more rustic spot', they will send you up a dirt mountain road with wide spots on either side every 50 yards or so for parking. You can then just hike as far into the woods as you like to set up camp in a gorgeous woodland setting. I love camping there.

Mark

Hey ya'll,
Thanks for all the advice. We're hopeing to be
close to finishing renovations on our house by
the time we go on vacation out that way. We've
been living in our camper now since Katrina
hit. I must say living in the camper is different
from just going on vacation. My husbands surprised
I even want to go camping. It's just so nice to
have all the comforts of home already there
when you get to where you're going. I also like
to save money by cooking nice meals at the
campground instead of eating out all the time.
We usually camp with our grandkids but they'll
be on vacation with my son and his wife so
this will be a real treat for us. We'll also
bring my husbands Harley so we can really take
in the parkway and other sites. We have a son
who transfered to a University in NC from UNO,
and he loves it there. We visited him the
weekend Rita hit our area. I'm glad we were
there and not here. We went to Chimney Rock
with him. What a view. There were lots of bikers
on the road that day. I kept looking at my husband
in that wish that was us way. We haven't been
very far on the Harley so this will be the most
scenic trips we've taken. I'm so excited.
I know it seems like a long way away but it
will be here before you know it.
As for activities, I want to go to the Biltmore
estate for sure, but we also want to go rafting,
or canoeing, and other misc. outdoor activities.
We're not quite ready for rocking chairs. Well
maybe after a long day, but not on a permanent
basis. I'll check out the website ya'll posted
and let ya'll know which one I pick.
Thanks again and take care.
PS hope your gardens are looking good. It's
been a pretty mild winter here. I just noticed
that the azalea's are starting to bloom.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Brenda

Here is a link that might be useful: Webshots community

You must at least check out Hot Springs while you are in the area-about 30 minutes north of Asheville. There is a campground in the area, you could easily find by looking up Hot Springs, NC. There are natural hot springs of mineral water in the French Broad River, making the water nice and warm for swimming-I'm from the coast and although I lived in Western NC for 5 yrs, I never did get over the frigidity of lakes, rivers, etc. The hot springs are also piped into personal spas for guests of the Hot Springs Spa-and it is inexpensive. Even if you don't stay there, you must visit at least once, I have yet to stay there or use a spa but visited once and found the area truly unforgettable-breathtaking!

Mt Mitchell is one of my favorite spots but I don't think it has full hook ups, I only remember tent camping when I was there. It is also very cold so even if you ride the hawg up there for an afternoon look-see, be sure to take warm clothes even in August. And I remember it being a first-come first served sorta deal where they don't take reservations. There are plenty of other campgrounds along the parkway and most of them have streams/waterfalls and scenic views. There is plenty of stuff to do within an hour of Asheville and that whole area is developed for people just like you (rocking chair or not).

we've camped all around the southern side of asheville over the course of many yrs. it all depends on what you're looking for. there are lots of waterfalls on the southern side of 40, in the pisgah forest region. dupont forest is a must see if you are anywhere close. a lot of the last of the mohicans was filed there and it's full of great hiking trails. there are 5 stunning waterfalls within a reasonably easy half hour walk. http://dupontforest.com/ you can't camp there. if you do visit that area, be sure to see 'pretty place'- just ask directions once there; it's 5 mins from dupont. it's an open air chapel at the tip top of a mtn, right along a cliff. made of stone and wood, with 180 degree views. stunning.

but, a campground just a few mins from dupont is http://www.blackforestcampground.com/ . has a bunch of stuff & is quiet. the owner is a bit bossy for my taste but fairly easy to avoid. because of her, the place is very well kept. it has lots of activities- a pool, playground, rec hall & more. plus the best pancake breakfasts to be found.

we stayed at a place on the eastern side of asheville along 40 that was nice and close to a lot, near black mountain. right on a small mountain creek. more rustic than some of the others. the link is: http://www.campingnc.com/campground/

another old favorite is http://www.kiz.com/campnet/html/zp/nc/0738/0738pics.htm. they have tame huge trout in their stream that they feed each day, and a neat stone pagoda/fireplace gathering area. mostly rv'ers & older folks, though we didn't feel unwelcome with kids. there's a playground.

a place we stayed many yrs ago near brevard that was quaint and quiet with lots of rec opps right there is: http://www.cascadelakerecreationarea.com/

last but not least, our very favorite campground is a place called earthbound lodging in canton, about 45 mins west of asheville. 5 mins from the parkway- and a very good area to do bike riding. right on a creek where you can tube. wonderful people who own & run the place. can't recommend it highly enough. http://www.earthboundlodging.com/amenities.htm

if you are on the parkways and pass mt. pisgah inn, stop for the view and wonderful restaurant. that's how we end our camping trip each yr- we spend 1 night there. the food is very reasonable, tastes great, they get all types in there, and it's got a whole wall of glass with 180 degree views from anywhere in the restaurant. there is a campground across the rd, but we've never stayed there, so i can't tell you how good or bad it is.

wherever you go, have fun!! tammy