A-frames near Sylva with horseback riding
Stay in the heart of the mountains for forest hikes and riverside camping in Sylva.
- Sylva
Popular camping styles for Sylva
A-frames near Sylva with horseback riding guide
Overview
Nestled in the Plott Balsam Mountains, this small town is a short drive from two national forests, where campers can enjoy tent campsites, RV campsites with nearby restrooms, and cabins inside the park. Nantahala Forest offers over 500,000 acres of scenery to explore, while Pisgah Forest includes campsites with spectacular views over Linville Gorge. For backcountry and frontcountry tent camping in the mountains, visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Trails for hiking and biking as well as rushing rivers and whitewater rafting make Sylva an exciting home base to discover western North Carolina.
Where to go
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Just an hour northwest of Sylva, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers stunning mountain views, hiking trails, and a variety of tent camping options. Backpackers can explore backcountry sites that require hiking to the campground, while frontcountry camping offers easy car access and a developed campsite with restrooms, a firepit, and a picnic table. Reserve a site early to score a group campsite for eight or more people in the front country, or book a horse camp, where Hipcampers can enjoy vehicle access, horse hitch racks, and basic camping facilities.
Nantahala National Forest
The largest national forest in North Carolina, Nantahala covers mountain and valley landscapes with hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails as well as whitewater rafting and camping. Explore a variety of developed and primitive tent campgrounds with lakeside, streamside, and forest views, plus options for group and dispersed camping. Four RV campgrounds offer space for RVs and campervans in the Nantahala Ranger District, with access to nearby showers and flush toilets. The park also offers a primitive cabin and a fully-equipped lodge with 16 beds and a kitchen. It’s advised to book early as group sites tend to be popular in the summer months.
Pisgah National Forest
An hour’s drive northeast of Sylva is Pisgah National Forest, home to the Cradle of Forestry historic site as well as waterfalls, whitewater rivers, and expansive mountain and forest hiking trails. Tent campers can find a variety of sites with drinking water, showers, and flush restrooms, while RV campers can enjoy the park’s amenities and a dump station at North Mills River. Stop by Wiseman’s View for a stunning look over Linville Gorge. Hipcampers can also book mountainside campsites, riverview sites, and forest campgrounds, but remember to check the availability, as some sites are only open seasonally.
When to go
The popular camping season in Sylva runs from April to October, with the period after Labor Day a favorite for those seeking cooler nights and less humidity. July is the hottest month in the region, with average highs near 85. The state allows camping all year, although it’s important to call ahead because not all sites are available year-round. Experience is recommended for winter camping in the high country, where the slopes are often snowy. For Hipcampers seeking a more relaxed winter experience, many lower-elevation areas around Sylva offer car camping, tent camping, and RV campsites.
