Asheville East KOA

The Great Outdoors

Pisgah National Forest is easily accessible when you're motorhome camping at Asheville East KOA. It is a 512,758-acre national forest in the Appalachian Mountains, and it encompasses the officially designated wilderness areas of Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, Middle Prong Wilderness Area, and Shining Rock Wilderness Area as well as whitewater rivers and waterfalls. Recreational opportunities include fishing, hiking, backpacking, road biking, mountain biking, and mountain climbing. Trails include the Daniel Ridge Trail, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Shut-In Trail, the Art Loeb Trail, the Sycamore Cove Trail, Black Mountain Loop, and the expert-level Farlow Gap Trail. The North Carolina Arboretum is located in the forest. The Cradle of Forestry on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway is the site of the first forestry school in America with guided walks, historic buildings, exhibitions, and the Forest Discovery Center. You will find the main visitor center at the Pisgah Ranger District Station.Linville Caverns is the state’s only show cavern, and it is worth visiting when you are planning to do some camping at Asheville East KOA. The limestone cavern is deep inside Humpback Mountain and contains many interesting geologic formations. The stream is home to a school of blind rainbow trout. The cavern maintains a temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. Guided tours are available, and the cave paths are lighted.You’ll also be able to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park while you're RV camping at Asheville East KOA. This is the most-visited national park in the country and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers 522,419 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most of the rocks here are late Precambrian rocks, which are part of the Ocoee Supergroup, and include metamorphosed sandstones, phyllites, schists, and slate. The park houses over 200 species of birds, 50 species of fish, and numerous species of reptiles and amphibians, including lungless salamanders. Other animals include black bears, elk (wapiti), raccoons, bobcats, two species of foxes, river otters, woodchucks, beavers, two species of squirrels, opossums, coyotes, white-tailed deer, chipmunks, two species of skunks, and various species of bats. Food and beverages and convenience items are available in the park.The Great Smoky Mountains Association operates bookstores at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, the Cades Cove Visitor Center, and the Clingman’s Dome Visitor Information Station. Items for sale include maps and guides for hiking and sightseeing, children’s books and games, Appalachian music, jackets and t-shirts, and traditional mountain foods such as sorghum, honey, and stone-ground cornmeal.

Exploring the Area

Asheville is the seat of Buncombe County and the largest city in western North Carolina. It’s known for its Art Deco-style City Hall, the Basilica of St. Lawrence, the Victorian homes in the Montford Area Historic District, and the Biltmore Estate. Asheville is a popular tourist destination for many reasons including its lively music scene, street performers, seasonal festivals, art galleries, spas and resorts, boutiques and antiques, and eclectic eating establishments. Make sure to check out the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Explore Asheville for updated information on area events, attractions, and visitors’ guides when you are planning a visit with a campervan rental.Little Switzerland is a summer colony situated along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many of the buildings feature iconic Swiss architecture. It was established as a resort in 1910 and named and styled after the mountains that resembled the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Things to do here include the Emerald Village and Mining Museum, waterfalls, gem mining, and more. Shopping and dining options tend towards the traditional, and you will not be disappointed. There are also plenty of art galleries, craft vendors, and other local specialties. Entertainment includes mountain music and square dances. Make sure to spend some time here when you camp in an RV near Asheville.