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New for 2019: 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. Lake Powhatan also offers visitors boat rentals during the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) to paddle around the lake. Note that use of personal watercraft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED 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. Visitors wishing to learn more about the area can attend interpretive programs during the summer. 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, firewood, and other small sundry items from the on-site campground store. 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. 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. ADA Access: N
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.
This campground is fabulous. I wish I could give it 10 stars. We stayed in the Big John loop during October. The site was roomy and level, the bathrooms were always clean, and the management team is super nice and helpful.
The location is a quick drive to downtown Asheville and just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lots of hiking and biking trails, a lovely little lake area, lots of wildlife and beautiful plants and fungi, quiet, peaceful…
Literally the only challenge was a lack of cell service but in some spots we were able to get a great signal.
The campground looks nice, but I have not stayed there. The lake is great! It's small, with numerous spots along the shoreline for fishing. There is a recently rebuilt pier for more fishing. That's just before the dam. You can look over the dam from either side, and swim in the hole below it if you like. This is also another fishing spot. The creek and lake are both Hatchery Supported public waters, and thus have trout to go along with the standard mix. The far side of the lake has a beach that adjoins the limited swimming area. This is a great spot for a day trip, or an entire week/end if you have the time. And don't forget the miles of easily accessible hiking and mountain biking trails. And the forest roads for the gravel grinding set are a good ride.
Cool lake, 5$ entry fee to park. The lake is very muddy about 20 feet off the sandy beach. Bathrooms were clean. The fishing pier was clean and well maintained. Ample parking by the beach, probably 40 spots. The lake is very cold temperatures past 3 ft deep. The top 3ft is very warm in the summer, maybe 70⁰. The bottom of the lake is probably 50⁰. There are many fish in the lake, and it's stocked with trout.
$40 per night for a primitive tent without electricity is way too much. The shower water is so tiny and each press of button gives only 20 seconds of tiny water shower. The only plus side is the each tent space is far apart so a little more privacy.
Site #48. Beautiful. Very few mosquitoes even in August. Great bike and hiking trails. Bike trail to arboretum. Swim beach and lovely stream.
