Carolina Hemlocks
FAQs
Planning Your Visit
Carolina Hemlocks Campground & Recreation Area operates seasonally from April through October.
Exact opening and closing dates, available services, and operating information may vary during the season because of weather, maintenance, or other conditions. Visitors should check the official FIND Outdoors Carolina Hemlocks page for the most updated information.
Carolina Hemlocks Campground & Recreation Area is located at:
8516 Highway 80 South
Burnsville, NC 28714
The recreation area is located along the South Toe River in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.
Visitors can camp, swim, tube, fish, picnic, enjoy the South Toe River, look for wildlife, attend seasonal programs, and relax in the surrounding Pisgah National Forest.
Carolina Hemlocks can also serve as a base for exploring nearby destinations such as Burnsville, Mount Mitchell State Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
No. Carolina Hemlocks also offers day-use recreation for visitors who want to swim, tube, fish, picnic, or spend time along the South Toe River without staying overnight.
A day-use fee applies.
The current standard day-use fee is $5 per vehicle. Prices are subject to change, for the most updated pricing visit the official FIND Outdoors page.
Qualifying federal Interagency Senior and Access passes may provide a reduced day-use rate when applicable. Visitors should bring the physical pass and check current fee information before arriving.
Yes. Carolina Hemlocks offers a season pass for day-use access during the operating season.
Season passes can be purchased through FIND Outdoors. Day-use season passes cover day-use admission and do not replace campsite reservations or overnight camping fees.
Purchase a day-use season pass today!
Camping & Reservations
Camping reservations are made through Recreation.gov.
Reservations cannot be created or changed by calling or emailing the FIND Outdoors office. Visitors can reserve online through Recreation.gov or contact the National Recreation Reservation Service at 877.444.6777.
For booking help, visitors can also use the FIND Outdoors Reservations page for step-by-step instructions.
Campground check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
Check-out must be completed by 12:00 PM on the day of departure.
Visitors should review their reservation confirmation before arriving for any additional campsite-specific instructions.
Carolina Hemlocks offers tent and RV camping in a wooded setting along the South Toe River.
FIND Outdoors currently offers 31 campsites, including several with river access or river views. Campsites vary in size, parking layout, equipment limits, and location, so visitors should review the individual campsite information before reserving.
Carolina Hemlocks campsites are currently offer standard non-electric sites. Visitors should not expect electrical or utility hookups at their campsite.
Campsite features and equipment limits can vary, so RV and trailer campers should carefully review their selected site on Recreation.gov before arriving.
Standard single campsites generally accommodate up to eight people and two vehicles, when the individual campsite has enough space.
Vehicle, RV, trailer, and equipment limits can vary by campsite. Always review the specific site information included with your reservation.
Yes. Carolina Hemlocks has a large picnic pavilion that can be reserved for group use.
The current standard pavilion fee is $70. Availability and reservation information should be reviewed before planning a group gathering.
Facilities & Campground Use
Yes. Carolina Hemlocks has bathhouses with flush toilets and showers.
Facilities may occasionally be affected by maintenance, weather, or seasonal operating conditions.
Yes. FIND Outdoors provides an official Carolina Hemlocks campground map and rules resource.
Visitors are encouraged to review the map before arriving, especially when camping overnight, to become familiar with campsite locations, campground roads, recreation areas, and facilities.
Yes. Carolina Hemlocks accommodates both tents and RVs, but not every campsite can accommodate the same size or type of equipment.
RV and trailer visitors should review campsite length limits, driveway information, and permitted equipment on Recreation.gov before making a reservation.
Generators may be used only during permitted hours and should be operated with consideration for neighboring campers.
Current campground rules allow generator use for up to four hours per day between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Visitors should also follow campground quiet hours and any posted restrictions.
Pets
Yes. Pets are welcome at Carolina Hemlocks, including within campground and picnic areas, when they are kept under control and their owners follow campground rules.
Pets must be leashed and should not be left unattended. Visitors are responsible for cleaning up after their animals and preventing them from disturbing wildlife or other visitors.
Pets are not permitted in bathhouses, on the beach, or within designated swimming areas.
Service animals are permitted in accordance with applicable law and must remain under the handler’s control.
Swimming, Tubing & Fishing
Yes. Swimming is one of the most popular activities at Carolina Hemlocks.
Visitors should use designated swimming areas and remember that river conditions can change because of rainfall, weather, and changing water levels. Children should be supervised closely, and visitors should avoid entering the river when water is high, fast-moving, muddy, or otherwise appears unsafe.
No. Visitors should not rely on lifeguard supervision when entering the South Toe River.
Swim according to your ability, supervise children closely, and use extra caution around currents, rocks, changing depths, and slippery river surfaces.
Yes. Floats and inflatables are allowed in designated swimming areas.
Visitors should be considerate of other swimmers and avoid blocking or overcrowding shared swimming areas.
Yes. Tubing is a popular activity on the South Toe River.
River conditions can change quickly, particularly after heavy rain. Visitors should check weather and water conditions before entering the river.
Yes. Fishing is available along the South Toe River, with opportunities for species including trout and smallmouth bass.
Anglers are responsible for following current North Carolina fishing license requirements, seasons, limits, and other regulations.
Fishing is not permitted within designated swimming areas.
Pets and glass containers are not permitted on the beach or within designated swimming areas.
These rules help protect visitors, pets, and the river environment.
Campfires, Wildlife & Campground Rules
Campfires are permitted in designated campsite fire rings unless current fire restrictions prohibit them.
Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure all flames and coals are completely extinguished before leaving your campsite or going to sleep.
Fire restrictions can change because of dry weather or wildfire danger, so visitors should check current conditions before starting a fire.
Yes. Carolina Hemlocks is located in black bear habitat, and visitors should take food and trash storage seriously.
Secure food, coolers, trash, toiletries, and other scented items when they are not being used. Keep campsites clean, use provided trash facilities, and never feed bears or other wildlife.
Pisgah National Forest supports a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, deer, snakes, birds, insects, and smaller forest animals.
Observe wildlife from a safe distance and never approach, touch, or feed animals.
Quiet hours are generally observed from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Visitors should keep music, generators, voices, lights, and other activity considerate of neighboring campsites throughout their stay.
Campers should secure their campsite and belongings whenever leaving the area and should not leave food, trash, or scented items exposed.
Visitors staying overnight should also follow the occupancy and unattended-site requirements included with their reservation and current campground rules.
Nearby Recreation & Trip Planning
Visitors interested in hiking should plan to explore established trails elsewhere in Pisgah National Forest and the surrounding mountains.
Nearby options can be found around Burnsville, Mount Mitchell State Park, the Appalachian Trail, and other public lands. Trail and road conditions may change, so visitors should review current managing-agency information before leaving the campground.
Yes. Mount Mitchell State Park is one of the major recreation destinations in the surrounding region.
At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River and offers summit views, high-elevation hiking, picnic areas, and additional outdoor recreation.
Road access can be affected by Blue Ridge Parkway closures, weather, and maintenance, so visitors should check current conditions before making the drive.
Yes. Carolina Hemlocks is located near the Blue Ridge Parkway and can be included in a larger mountain trip.
Parkway road closures can significantly affect travel times and access to nearby destinations. Visitors should check current National Park Service road information before traveling.
Cell service can be limited or unreliable around Carolina Hemlocks and portions of the surrounding Pisgah National Forest.
Visitors should download reservation information, directions, maps, and any other important trip information before arriving.
Still Have Questions?
Visitors can contact Carolina Hemlocks Campground & Recreation Area at 828.675.5509 or check the official FIND Outdoors Carolina Hemlocks page for current fees, operating information, reservations, programs, and site updates.