Lake Powhatan Recreation Area & Campground

Worst Campsite Service ever. I called ahead well in advance to reserve a campsite(during office hours), and was told that they were not taking reservations and it was first come first serve. I asked about coming later and they said that was fine. My friends and I got to the gate later that night to be greater by a security guard who would not even consider that I had that prior conversation but repeated to tell us that “We were out of luck and good luck finding somewhere else at this time of night” He also informed me that there were spots available, but refused to take the correct fee amount that we had readily available for the night. I asked to talk to a ranger or someone I charge of the campsites about the issue, instead he just got someone to threaten us if we didn’t turn around. In the end I am glad we didn’t stay there, because I would never want to stay anywhere that threatens patrons of the national forest rather than helps them.
1 8 years ago (23-05-2018)

Excellent campgrounds! We've stayed there 3 times now and will continue to go back. The staff working the main gate are always friendly. The campsites are well maintained. I've only stayed in the Bent Creek loop because it's my favorite. The campsites are spaced enough apart that they're relatively private. However, they're all perfectly placed in proximity to the restrooms. I love that they have hot water and showers. The bathrooms are kept very clean! It's also nice that they have heating bars in the bathrooms and showers to make the colder visits tolerable. The location is perfect. It's very close to the Biltmore. It's right behind the NC Arboretum and one can hike there. I also like that you can hike to the lake and it's accessible to swim in a sectioned off area.
5 8 years ago (11-04-2018)

Like others have said, this is a great campground ruined by crazy rules. First off, I follow rules and appreciate reasonable rules for any campground, esp quiet times. I have stayed there 3 or 4 times, and twice felt really frustrated by staff. First time I came with my camper and wanted to get two sites, one for me and another for a friend that was an hour behind me and going to tent camp. They acted like I was insane, no way would they let me get two sites unless both parties were there, even though I was willing to pay for both. Another time we arrived and there was no spaces with electric, so they said camp in one without then the next morning I could have this space that someone was leaving and taking another space. Sounds fine, but then they tell me I have to be there when the space becomes available and have to be moved in within an hour even if I pay and they have no idea when they are changing sites, but said it had to be done before 11. OK, so I wait, and wait, and wait, then around noon I go and see whats going on and was told the person in the other site couldn't move until that night, AND they were going to hold the other site for him until them. I was livid and ready to blow, just then someone else pulled up and was leaving and they gave me that site. As we were setting up a ranger came by and I was complaining to him, he said it didn't have anything to do with forestry service and he knew all about the issues I was talking about and told me of another campground I should try. At least he was sympathetic. I wish they could get their act together, I love the spot.
3 9 years ago (04-02-2018)

I'm guessing this place is run by a toxic manager, because all the staff are rude or unpleasant every time we visit. I have stayed at dozens of USFS campground across the country and have never dealt with more unpleasant hosts or staff. Most recently, our campsite reservation was good until noon. Starting at about 11:20, we had staff in golf carts reminding us that we needed to leave soon and staring us down. We made sure to take our sweet time and leave at exactly 11:59am. If you want to camp near Asheville, drive about 10 minutes further down the road to N Fork Mills River Recreation Area where the campground hosts are much more pleasant.
1 8 years ago (26-05-2018)

A little pricey for camping in my opinion, but they have hot showers, which makes it worth it and the lake is really nice.
5 8 years ago (16-05-2018)