Lake Powhatan

$35.00–$104.00/night

Show on map828-552-8040
375 WESLEY BRANCH ROAD
ASHEVILLE, NC 28806

Overview

 Glamping sites are now available at Lake Powhatan! Experience nature and outdoor recreation without sacrificing the comforts and luxuries of home. Choose one of 12 custom designed, fully furnished canvas platform tents in the heart of the national forest for your next mountain adventure, only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC. Learn more about glamping near Asheville . To book your glamping site, click here. 

Located just minutes from the popular city of Asheville, North Carolina, Lake Powhatan has something for everyone. The campground is convenient to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including art and music venues, shopping and dining in Asheville, scenic driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, numerous hiking trails and lakeside recreation.

Recreation

Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, is also nearby. Note that use of personal watercraft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the lake due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem.

The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are located near the campground. 

Facilities

The shaded, private campsites are organized into four loops, all within walking distance of the lake. The facility provides picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, in addition to restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. A few sites have full hookups. 12 glamping tents are available in the upper Hardtimes Loop. Campers can purchase ice and firewood from the gatehouse.

Natural Features

The campground is situated in a heavily wooded area on the banks of Lake Powhatan in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. The elevation is 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers.

Nearby Attractions

Among the more popular nearby destinations are Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, The NC Arboretum and the Biltmore Estate.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-7278.

Charges & Cancellations

Any cancellations must be taken care of directly with recreation.gov. Note that this facility does not provide refunds for No Shows or incliment weather.

Camp site features

Across 71 camp sites:

  • Electric hookups: 21 of 71 sites
  • Water hookups: 17 of 71 sites
  • Sewer hookups: 17 of 71 sites
  • Picnic table: 62 of 71 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 71 sites
  • ADA accessible: 1 of 71 sites
  • Longest RV: 50 ft
  • Largest party: 16 people
  • Power up to 50 amps
  • Equipment: CAR, CARAVAN/CAMPER VAN, FIFTH WHEEL, PICKUP CAMPER, POP UP, RV, SMALL TENT, Tent, Trailer, VEHICLE

Directions

From Asheville, take I-26 to exit 33. Go south approximately 2 miles on State Route 191 to the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area sign. Turn right and follow signs to the campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

1,533 reviews
5 stars
1,115
4 stars
283
3 stars
84
2 stars
33
1 stars
18
Robert W
Loop:Hard Times
Site:
Reviewed 8 days ago
N/A
Celeste F
Loop:Lakeside
Site:
Reviewed 9 days ago
Amazing place!! Great hiking right from your campsite. Beautiful, campsites. So much to do in the area! Wish we stayed longer.
Paul F
Loop:Hard Times
Site:
Reviewed 10 days ago
Love the location next to the arboretum and convenient to Ashville. It is also close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Well maintained. Expect lines at the showers and rest rooms in the mornings.
Laura O
Loop:Hard Times
Site:
Reviewed 10 days ago
Nice spacious site. Easily fit our two cars and tents. Great location 15 minutes from Asheville for food and by the Blue Ridge Parkway for driving, biking, and hikes. Friendly staff at the entrance station.
Leslie Z
Loop:Lakeside
Site:
Reviewed 11 days ago
Loved this campground. Private campsites with lots of trees. We stayed in the lake loop which was a quick walk to the lake. My only complaint was the bathrooms. They were clean but there were only two toilets in our loop. I had to wait in line a few times.
virginia M
Loop:Hard Times
Site:
Reviewed 12 days ago
The worker in the entrance booth when we arrived on Thursday was so very, very helpful. I can’t remember his name, but he was older. However, on Saturday, the young woman in charge was not helpful at all, and was going to make us move our camper to the day waiting instead of going to our next reserved site. I was also disappointed that our second sight number 37 did not have water capability. I reported and asked for a partial refund because I paid for a full hook up and was told they could not do that. The park itself is absolutely beautiful!
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve
Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 5% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 5 years of reservations.

Season dates

Peak season

Mar 21, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026

Reservable online

Off Peak season

Nov 16, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

Reservable online

Off Peak season

Jan 1, 2027 – Mar 18, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

Mar 19, 2027 – Nov 15, 2027

Reservable online

Off Peak season

Nov 16, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027

Reservable online

Off Peak season

Jan 1, 2028 – Mar 17, 2028

Reservable online

Peak season

Mar 18, 2028 – Nov 15, 2028

Reservable online

Off Peak season

Nov 16, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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