After Hurricane Helene caused significant damage, communities across western North Carolina are bouncing back and eager to welcome visitors once again. Most attractions, campgrounds, and local businesses are open and ready for you to explore.
“The vast majority of mountain areas are open,” says Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit North Carolina. “Even towns like Lansing and Marshall, which were hit hard, are planning big events this summer.”
Welcoming Back Tourists
While some spots, like Chimney Rock and Mount Mitchell State Parks, remain closed, many other popular attractions are up and running. South Mountains State Park is now open, and businesses, including campgrounds, are thrilled to host tourists once more.
“We need visitors to come to the Asheville and Franklin areas to help boost the local economy and aid in recovery,” says Dee Moore, marketing manager for Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground in Swannanoa and The Great Outdoors RV Resort in Franklin.
Marla Snead, owner of Linville Falls Campground, adds that while Linville Falls is temporarily closed, she provides guests with a list of nearby waterfalls that are still open and accessible.
For real-time travel updates, VisitNC.com offers a handy interactive map with current road closures and detour info. The National Park Service also posts updates on Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, including closures around Linville Falls.
It’s always a good idea to call ahead to attractions and inquire about any closures before you go.
Things to See and Do
There’s no shortage of fun activities to enjoy in western North Carolina, from scenic drives to outdoor adventures. Banner Elk, for example, offers a 50-mile driving loop showcasing over 500 attractions, including hiking trails, shops, galleries, and local restaurants. Explore craft activities on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails website, where you can learn traditional arts like pottery, basketry, and Cherokee crafts. Explore Asheville has a helpful search tool where visitors can search for things to do and places to eat.
Asheville
- Asheville Art Museum: Explore over 7,500 objects of 20th- and 21st-century American art, with a focus on the Southern Appalachian region.
- Asheville Pinball Museum: Play 40 classic pinball and video games.
- The Biltmore Estate: Tour America’s largest home and its expansive gardens, trails, winery, and farmyard.
- Moogseum: Discover the legacy of Bob Moog, inventor of the synthesizer, through interactive exhibits.
- Western North Carolina Nature Center: See black bears, red wolves, otters, and more in this wildlife haven.
Black Mountain & Swannanoa
- Black Mountain Center for the Arts: Enjoy live music, theater, and exhibits.
- Swannanoa Valley History Museum: Explore local history through guided tours and hikes.
- Town Hardware and General Store in Black Mountain: A beloved local shop in Black Mountain.
Franklin
- Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum: Learn about the region’s rich gem mining history.
- Macon County Historical Society and Museum: Discover the area’s heritage through engaging exhibits and tours.
- Pickin’ on the Square: Catch a free outdoor concert featuring a variety of music genres.
- Scottish Tartans Museum: This one-of-a-kind U.S. museum explores the history of tartans and kilts, along with the Scottish immigrant experience in North Carolina and their interactions with the Cherokee people.
Whether you're exploring Asheville’s vibrant arts scene, hiking the trails around Franklin, or relaxing in Black Mountain’s quaint downtown bookstores and coffee shops, western North Carolina is ready for you.
Campgrounds and Lodging
Many campgrounds in western North Carolina have reopened after the hurricane, and several have made major improvements. Dee Witting, executive director of the Carolinas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, notes, “The campgrounds are back open and better than ever.
Below are 30 campgrounds that are open or plan to open by Memorial Day weekend in the mountains of western North Carolina:
A-C
- Asheville East KOA Holiday in Swannanoa: This campground is expected to open before Memorial Day weekend.
- Barefoot Landing Camping Resort in Marion
- Boone KOA Holiday in Boone
- Broad River Campground in Mooresboro
- Blue Ridge Travel Park in Hendersonville
- Buck Creek RV Park in Marion
- Campfire Lodgings in Asheville
- Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA Holiday in Cherokee
E-H
- Emberglow Outdoor Resort in Mill Spring
- Flaming Arrow Campground in Whittier
- Foothills Family Campground in Forest City
- Fort Wilderness RV Park & Campground in Whittier
- Foxfire of Murphy RV Park in Murphy
- Franklin RV Park & Campground in Franklin
- Grandfather Campground in Banner Elk
- Growing Faith Farms and Retreat in Moravian Falls
- Hidden Waters RV Park & Campground in Robbinsville
J-O
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Bostic
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Cherokee
- Lake James Camping Resort and Marina in Nebo
- Land of Waterfalls RV Park in Pisgah Forest
- Linville Falls RV Park & Cabins in Linville Falls
- Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground in Swannanoa: Expected to open May 15
- Mi Mountain Campground in Franklin
- Orchard Lake Campground in Saluda
R-T
- River Country Campground & RV Park in Piney Creek
- River Pointe RV Park in Morganton
- Spacious Skies Bear Den in Spruce Pine
- Spacious Skies Hidden Creek in Marion
- Starlite Lodge in Lenoir
- Sundowner RV Village in Hayesville
- Sun Retreats Nantahala in Sylva
- The Farmstead at Mill Spring in Mill Spring
- The Great Outdoors RV Resort in Franklin
- Thousand Trails Green Mountain in Lenoir
- Turkey Creek Campground in Almond
Download the CampingCarolinas App
CampingCarolinas.com also has an app that lists the association’s affiliated campgrounds throughout North and South Carolina.
