RV Rental Mount Mitchell State Park, NC

Whether you are looking for a short stroll through the woods or a more intensive hike, you have the choice of many trails when camping at Mount Mitchell State Park. A popular choice is the Balsam Nature Trail, which is short at just 0.75 miles. The small steam that runs along this trail is the highest spring in eastern America. One of the hardest trails to tackle is the Mount Mitchell Trail, used to climb the mighty mountain. This 6-mile trail will take around 4-5 hours of hard hiking just to reach the top, so it is best suited to more experienced hikers.

Although hiking is the main activity for those Mount Mitchell State Park camping, there are plenty of other things to enjoy. You could have a mile-high picnic at the top of a mountain, thanks to the shaft picnic area that is open all year round. There are 40 picnic tables available, as well as some stone grills and drinking water. The two larger picnic shelters with fireplaces are great for group gatherings, especially if the weather is not very nice, and are free of charge to use.

To learn more about the park and the nature of the area, many visitors camping with an RV choose to take part in one of the interpretive programs lead by knowledgeable park rangers. The events are free and will give you a better insight into the natural world of the mountain and beyond. Pack a pair of binoculars with you as this is a great opportunity to try and spot some of the wildlife that calls the park their home.

Although there is a small tent campground located in the park, those that go RV camping at Mount Mitchell State Park usually choose to set up for the night in one of the nearby RV campsites. There are plenty of places to camp in the surrounding Cherokee National Forest, such as Asheville Bear Creek RV Park and Campground. Sites here are large and level with full 30 and 50 amp hook-ups. There are 25 large pull-thru sites, big rig sites, and 65 back-in sites. Amenities include free WiFi and cable TV, three bathhouses with restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, and a clubhouse.

Another nearby campground that Asheville campers choose to use is Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground. Many people camp here due to a large number of amenities available such a dump station, pavilion for gathering, roomy hot showers and restrooms, rec room, pet area, and a fitness room, to name just a few. The campground is open all year round with both pull-thru and back-in sites that offer picnic tables, fire rings, and 20/30/50 amp service.

Emerald Village is a great place to visit if you're in the area. It is a group of gem, mining, and historical attractions all in one place, deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are 12 real mines on-site, one of which you can have a tour of, as well as a mining museum where you can learn more about the history of mining in the area, and marvel at the impressive collection of equipment. At the Gemstone Mine, you can choose from a variety of gem buckets and have beautiful jewelry made from your findings.

If you're traveling with children, pay a visit to the Catawba Science Center, which is a huge museum built with the young in mind, covering 35,000 square feet. There are many hands-on exhibits to explore, salt and freshwater aquarium galleries, as well as an impressive state of the art planetarium. It is a great place to head for both fun and learning and can also be a good rainy day activity.

The Tweetsie Railroad is a great way to explore the area. This three-mile train adventure takes you for three miles, pulled by a historic steam locomotive. Although the train ride is likely to be the highlight of the visit, there are so many other attractions to enjoy. In the high season, there is daily live entertainment and shows, amusement rides, gold panning, a deer park zoo, and more.