Lake Powhatan Recreation Area
Lakeside camping and glamping near Asheville, offering beautiful trails, wildlife, and a chance to disconnect.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Lakeside camping and glamping near Asheville, offering beautiful trails, wildlife, and a chance to disconnect.
"Such a gorgeous, quiet place with lots of easy-to-walk trails that all connect together."
Book Glamping Ahead
:calendar: Glamping sites are popular! Book well in advance, especially for weekends.
Prepare for Limited Cell Service
:iphone: Embrace the disconnect! Cell service is virtually nonexistent.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Glamping Sites
Campground
Comfortable glamping tents with queen beds, power, and amenities for a cozy outdoor stay.
Lake Powhatan Beach
Lakeside
Relax by the water, swim, or simply enjoy the scenic views. A perfect spot for a picnic.
Bent Creek Trails
Surrounding Recreation Area
Miles of interconnected trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife spotting. Great for all skill levels.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Glamping Adventure Early
Embrace the Outdoors & Disconnect
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Glamping Ahead
:calendar: Glamping sites are popular! Book well in advance, especially for weekends.
Prepare for Limited Cell Service
:iphone: Embrace the disconnect! Cell service is virtually nonexistent.
Wildlife Encounters
:bear: Keep an eye out for bears, deer, and beavers! Store food properly in bear boxes.
Trail Etiquette
:mountain_biking: Trails can be busy with bikers. Be mindful and yield appropriately.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Glamping Ahead
:calendar: Glamping sites are popular! Book well in advance, especially for weekends.
Prepare for Limited Cell Service
:iphone: Embrace the disconnect! Cell service is virtually nonexistent.
Wildlife Encounters
:bear: Keep an eye out for bears, deer, and beavers! Store food properly in bear boxes.
Trail Etiquette
:mountain_biking: Trails can be busy with bikers. Be mindful and yield appropriately.
Firewood & Ice
:fire: Firewood ($10) and ice packs ($5) available at the park entrance.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area is praised for its beautiful setting, comfortable glamping options, and excellent trail system for hiking and biking. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, abundant wildlife, and the opportunity to disconnect. Some find the camping fees a bit high, and construction noise can occasionally be a disturbance.
"Lake Powhatan offers a fantastic glamping experience with beautifully maintained sites. You'll find everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a queen bed, a foldable bed, a power unit, two fans, and two lamps. Each site also features a bear box, towels, two chairs, a grill, and a picnic table. The shared restrooms are always clean and have hot water, making it easy to freshen up. Firewood is available for $10 and ice packs for $5 at the park entrance. With the lake, beach, and trails all within easy reach, and friendly staff to assist you, it's a great place to stay."
Nirmal Krishnan
"I visited Asheville for 4 days and came here EVERY evening. Such a gorgeous, quiet place with lots of easy-to-walk trails that all connect together. Great opportunities for nature encounters—we saw a mama bear with her cubs, a beaver playing by its dam, a white tailed doe, rabbits, etc. Breathtaking at sunset and great for photos. Lots of lovely bike trails nearby too!"
Laura Orsi
"Went here for a quick get away with one of my border collies. It was a peaceful place though they were still doing construction from the hurricane. It wasn't the best think waking up to construction noises ans chainsaws at 7am, that was a negative but the rest was very peaceful. Bathrooms were nice and everything connected in loops so I never worried about getting lost. Lots of great sniffing spots for the dog too!"
Rue Stryker (LadyRue)
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Lake Powhatan is conveniently located near Asheville, NC, and is easily accessible from the interstates. Many visitors find it a great basecamp for exploring the Pisgah National Forest and Asheville itself.
You can park at the Bent Creek Arboretum, which has a fee. Some visitors suggest parking elsewhere to access the trail without entering the arboretum, but specific details may vary.
Yes, Lake Powhatan offers RV sites, some with full hookups. It's a COE campground, meaning it's managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Absolutely! Lake Powhatan is close to Asheville, offering city amenities, and is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, known for its hiking and biking trails.
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area is situated just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, making it a convenient location for both nature and city exploration.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While the recreation area itself may not have a direct entrance fee for day use, parking at certain trailheads like the Bent Creek Arboretum does require a fee. Camping and glamping fees apply for overnight stays.
The campground and glamping sites are typically open from April to October. Day-use areas like the beach and trails are generally accessible during daylight hours, but it's always best to check the official website for the most current information.
Camping fees can vary, with some sites costing around $55 per night. Glamping sites may have different pricing structures. It's recommended to check the official booking site for current rates.
Yes, online booking is available and highly recommended, especially for glamping sites, as they tend to fill up quickly.
Information on specific discounts is not widely available, but it's always worth checking with the park management or official booking platforms for any potential offers or passes.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Glamping sites typically include a queen bed, a foldable bed, power units, fans, lamps, a bear box, towels, chairs, a grill, and a picnic table for a comfortable stay.
Yes, reviews consistently mention that the shared restrooms are clean and equipped with hot water, making it easy to freshen up.
Visitors have reported seeing mama bears with cubs, beavers, white-tailed deer, and rabbits, offering great opportunities for nature encounters.
The Bent Creek Recreation Area offers a network of interconnected trails perfect for both hiking and mountain biking. Some trails are less crowded, especially early in the morning.
Absolutely! The lake and surrounding nature are breathtaking, especially at sunset, offering fantastic opportunities for photography.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Firewood is available for purchase at the park entrance for $10, and ice packs for $5. It's advisable to bring your own groceries and snacks as dining options within the immediate recreation area are limited.
Yes, each glamping site and many general camping sites come equipped with a picnic table, making it easy to enjoy meals outdoors.
Grills are provided at the glamping sites, and it's generally permitted to use grills at designated camping spots. Be sure to follow all fire safety regulations.
Asheville is renowned for its vibrant food scene, offering a wide array of restaurants, breweries, and cafes to suit every taste and budget.
Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and beverages to enjoy during their stay. Remember to store food properly to avoid attracting wildlife.
📸 📸 Photography
The lake itself, especially during sunset, offers stunning backdrops. The trails also provide beautiful natural scenery and opportunities to capture wildlife.
Yes, many visitors have had success photographing wildlife like deer, beavers, and even bears. Early mornings and late evenings are often the best times.
Sunset is frequently mentioned as a breathtaking time for photos. Early mornings can also be magical with soft light and fewer people.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, always be respectful of other visitors and wildlife, and avoid using flash photography directly at animals. Drone usage may be restricted, so check park regulations.
Drone usage regulations can vary by national forest and recreation area. It's essential to check the specific rules for Pisgah National Forest and Lake Powhatan before flying a drone. Unauthorized drone use can lead to fines.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during weekdays to avoid larger crowds and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. The clean restrooms with hot water are a big plus for families. While cell service is limited, this can be an opportunity for families to disconnect and engage with each other and nature. The proximity to Asheville also offers options for family-friendly dining and activities if you need a break from the wilderness.
🏕️ Campers & RVers
Be prepared for limited cell service, which is a common characteristic of many national forest campgrounds. This can be a great opportunity to truly unplug. While some reviews mention the price being on the higher side for a national park, the amenities like clean restrooms with hot water and the overall peaceful environment contribute to a positive camping experience. Remember to bring your own firewood or purchase it at the entrance.
🚶♀️ Hikers & Bikers
Be aware that the trails can get busy, especially on weekends, with a significant number of mountain bikers. It's important to practice trail etiquette and be mindful of others. Early mornings are recommended for a more peaceful experience and better chances of wildlife sightings. The trails by the lake are often less congested.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Camping and Glamping Experience
Reviews highlight the cleanliness of the shared restrooms, which feature hot water, adding to the convenience and comfort. Firewood and ice packs can be purchased at the park entrance, making it easier to settle in. While the price for camping might be considered a bit high by some for a national park setting, the overall experience and amenities often justify the cost for many visitors. The campground's location also makes it an excellent basecamp for exploring the surrounding national forest and the vibrant city of Asheville.
It's important to note that cell phone service is virtually nonexistent within the campground, which can be a blessing for those looking to disconnect but requires preparation for those who need to stay connected. Starlink service is intermittent and not reliable for work. This digital detox aspect is a significant draw for many seeking a peaceful retreat.
Exploring the Bent Creek Trails
Common sightings include white-tailed deer, rabbits, beavers in their natural habitat, and even black bears with their cubs. This abundance of wildlife adds an exciting dimension to any exploration. However, it's crucial to be wildlife aware and practice safe storage of food in the provided bear boxes. The trails by the lake tend to be less crowded, especially in the early morning, offering a more serene experience.
While the trails are fantastic for nature lovers, it's worth noting that they can become quite crowded with mountain bikers, especially on weekends. Visitors are advised to be mindful of trail etiquette, yielding to bikers when necessary and respecting their space. The trails offer a great way to experience the diverse flora and fauna of the Pisgah National Forest, making Lake Powhatan a prime destination for nature photography and active recreation.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit