97
National Forests in North Carolina › Pisgah Ranger District › North Carolina
› Buncombe County
› Asheville
› Lake Powhatan Campground
› Campsite #97
Campsite #97 at Lake Powhatan Campground, NC
$37
Tent Site #97
| Walk-In | 8 people |
| 30 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | good |
3/20
Campsite #97 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Picnic Table, Tent Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (15)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 60% |
| 4 star | | 20% |
| 3 star | | 13% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 7% |
@JimG4565855 · Camped on Oct 22, 2025 at Campsite #97
My gf and I had a great time at Lake Powhatan campground. We were at 097 as part of the Hard Times loop. You're kinda deep in the Pisgah National Forest so it's pretty quiet/serene. Camp counselor dude Stewart (I think that was his name - met us at the entrance) was cool af and gave us some helpful bear hints. He said there had been no sightings of bear that week but that the previous week there were several. I could've SWORN I heard a big black bear rummaging through the woods all night about 20 yards from our tent! Not sure what else it could've been but as long as you keep your site free of food there should be no problems. Overall, a pretty simple tent-only campsite for us with lots of space - hefty wooden table, fire ring, and a large bear-proof container in which to store things. Only negative was the gravel/rock tent base. I prefer grass for my tent stakes, but other than that, a fantastic spot in the woods for tent camping!
@ToddE2970730 · Camped on Oct 10, 2025 at Campsite #97
Nice campsites - good tree cover and privacy between sites. All the guests were respectful. The only significant issue was plugged toilets and toilet doors that would not lock, making privacy a big issue.
Major Issues
@oliviam3625521 · Camped on Sep 20, 2025 at Campsite #97
Super kind staff, extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and very clean and accommodating campgrounds!
Excellent
@JenniferT29195 · Camped on Jun 16, 2024 at Campsite #97
Weve thoroughly enjoyed previous stays in this camp ground. This stay was definitely not enjoyable. The camp host let their dogs run off leash during our entire stay, and seemed to have a strange avoidance to wearing shirts. The bathrooms were dirty and one door wouldnt lock. I went to a different bathroom on the same loop and it was like walking into a haunted house. There were spider webs and very large spiders everywhere. One was in the toilet tissue holder and another in the sink and toilet bowl. These were massive spiders. I am an avid camper and know that communing with nature often results in meeting all sorts of creatures. The bathroom obviously hadnt been swept out in a while though. The front gate staff were welcoming and kind as always.
No Service
@JessicaS159432 · Camped on Oct 6, 2023 at Campsite #97
The camp site had exactly what we needed - tent pad, fire ring, bear box and picnic table. It rained while we were there and our tent held up beautifully. Only thing to note was that our tent was sitting on top of quite a bit of water at site 097. Bathrooms were fine just bring a good flashlight to get there!
No Service
@StephenB287309 · Camped on Apr 13, 2023 at Campsite #97
Site 52 Lake side is NOT lakeside. The picture you have posted is deceiving and wrong. It literally ruined the experience.
@CarolineT6A4A4 · Camped on Nov 10, 2022 at Campsite #97
This was my first time staying at a pay camp ground we were happy with everything. I just wish that the showers didn't turn off as quick. For city camping it was great.
No Service
@RisaKDA727C80E · Camped on Nov 4, 2022 at Campsite #97
We stayed at the Hard Times Loop & found sites nicely wooded. The sites & bathrooms were very clean & the hiking was fun & beautiful. We appreciated the knowledge & warmth of those working at the park. It was wonderful. Thank you for helping make our vacation perfect!
No Service
@CristinaW91B44 · Camped on Jun 19, 2022 at Campsite #97
We used a tent. Rocks on tent pad were horrible. Big and sharp. Put holes in our tarp. Even with pads under our sleeping pads we could feel every rock. Need to change to pea gravel or dirt . Will not stay again . It hurt to much to sleep. Bathrooms were clean.
No Service
@NicholasD61257 · Camped on Apr 6, 2022 at Campsite #97
Campsite was sizable, with plenty of space between sites. Clean bathrooms and showers. All staff was excellent.
Some Coverage
@grego849 · Camped on Jun 17, 2021 at Campsite #97
Surprising amount of quiet and solitude for being so close to Asheville, vast trail system surrounds the lake and arboretum.
@ChrisS918 · Camped on May 30, 2021 at Campsite #97
Awesome campsite only 20 min from Asheville.
No Service
@JamesC5011896 · Camped on Oct 27, 2020 at Campsite #97
Great and helpful staff as we checked in.Nice clean site and facilities
@SharronK433 · Camped on Oct 2, 2020 at Campsite #97
What a beautiful park and spot 97 was just wonderful. Close to the bathrooms.
Some Coverage
@LissaS33204C5E · Camped on Sep 1, 2020 at Campsite #97
My boyfirend and I stayed here for 3 nights. Our campsite was fantastic. It is at the bottom of a hill where the bathrooms are. The facilities are clean there are no electical plugs in the bathrooms for the ladies, If you are wondering. The campsites are on gravel. We had a tent which was not too bad on the toes. Lots of trails, We both would recommend campsite 97 in the hardtimes to anyone. We would deffinetly go back.
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