There are some really nice campgrounds in the area and we enjoy spending weekends around the NC mountains. Would you rather be near or in Asheville, near Cherokee and the casino, or have kids and looking for a campground with stuff for them to do?
Ela Campground is right on the river and between Bryson City and Cherokee. We go there almost every summer for tubing and to visit Cherokee.
The
Asheville East KOA is right off I-40 in Swanannoa and is one of our favorite spots. The Swanannoa River flows right through it and there are two small lakes, one for fishing/paddleboats, the other is surrounded by a nice walking trail. If you rembember it being a little rough in the past, it's changed over the years for the better. Very clean and kid friendly now. There are a couple more that are right in Asheville and I've heard good things about, but I haven't camped in those.
