Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
Burnsville, North Carolina · on South Toe River · Pisgah National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5 per vehicle
- SEASON
- April through October, when the recreation area and campground are open for the season.
About Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is a US Forest Service campground and day-use site on the South Toe River in Pisgah National Forest near Burnsville, North Carolina, and a legitimate river swimming hole rather than a rumor. Multiple official Forest Service and concessionaire sources confirm swimming, tubing, and fishing directly in the river adjacent to the campground, making it an easy river to swim in without leaving camp.
The recreation area sits along the South Toe River at about 2,900 feet elevation in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, shaded by hemlock and hardwood forest, with the Black Mountains and Mount Mitchell State Park nearby.
Swimming at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
Swimming and tubing take place directly in the South Toe River adjacent to the campground and day-use area; the river also supports trout and smallmouth bass fishing from shore, indicating a moderate, wadeable mountain river rather than deep pools.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Asheville: take I-26 West to exit 9, then Highway 19 East toward Burnsville, continue to Micaville, turn right onto Highway 80, and go about 8 miles south to the recreation area at 8516 Highway 80 South, Burnsville, NC 28714.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the swimming/tubing area -- the South Toe River runs directly alongside the campground and day-use area, described as a short walk from campsites/parking. Recreation.gov separately lists a 1-mile leisurely trail and a 3.8-mile trail in the area for hiking, but neither is required to reach the water and neither source ties them to the swim spot.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official sources describe a shallow, wadeable mountain river (also used for trout/smallmouth fishing) directly beside the campground and day-use area, which suits families, but there are no lifeguards, no posted depth/current markers, and the fishing-pier day-use area was closed for storm damage as of the most recent USFS page check. Supervise children given typical mountain-river current and rocky bottom.
Parking
Paid, $5/vehicle day-use ($2.50 with Interagency/Senior pass); $25 season day-use pass ($12.50 discounted)
Developed USFS day-use/campground site with a fee station; no separate lot-capacity or roadside-vs-lot description was found in official sources, but the fee-booth/picnic-pavilion/bathhouse setup indicates a formal parking area rather than roadside pullouts.
Restrooms
Yes
Recreation.gov and the FIND Outdoors (concessionaire) site both describe modern bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets serving the campground/day-use area. Note: the USFS page itself states 'Restrooms are not available at this site' and that potable water is not available, which conflicts with the concessionaire/Recreation.gov description -- this may refer to a specific closed area (e.g., the storm-damaged fishing pier day-use spot) rather than the whole site; bring your own water regardless since potable water is explicitly noted as unavailable.
Hours
Day-use hours 7am-8pm during the seasonal operating window (April 15-October 31), per the USFS page. Recreation.gov lists overall site/gate hours as 7am-10pm with a request to call ahead for late arrivals.
On the water
USFS, Recreation.gov, FIND Outdoors, and CFAIA sources all confirm tubing as an official activity in the South Toe River here; none of these sources mention kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or motorboat use at this specific site, so those are left unconfirmed rather than assumed. Given the river is characterized as a shallow, wadeable mountain stream at this location, larger watercraft may not be practical, but this is not directly sourced.
Rentals nearby
River tube rentals for use on the adjacent South Toe River
At the campground office/store, onsite at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, 8516 Highway 80 South, Burnsville, NC
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area: FAQ
Does Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area charge a fee?
Day-use fee of $5 per vehicle ($2.50 with Interagency/Senior discount); standard campsite $28/night ($14 discounted); season day-use pass $25 ($12.50 discounted); large picnic pavilion $70 per FIND Outdoors, the USFS concessionaire.
Is Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area kid friendly?
Official sources describe a shallow, wadeable mountain river (also used for trout/smallmouth fishing) directly beside the campground and day-use area, which suits families, but there are no lifeguards, no posted depth/current markers, and the fishing-pier day-use area was closed for storm damage as of the most recent USFS page check. Supervise children given typical mountain-river current and rocky bottom.
Do I need to hike to reach Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
Developed USFS day-use/campground site with a fee station; no separate lot-capacity or roadside-vs-lot description was found in official sources, but the fee-booth/picnic-pavilion/bathhouse setup indicates a formal parking area rather than roadside pullouts.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
USFS, Recreation.gov, FIND Outdoors, and CFAIA sources all confirm tubing as an official activity in the South Toe River here; none of these sources mention kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or motorboat use at this specific site, so those are left unconfirmed rather than assumed. Given the river is characterized as a shallow, wadeable mountain stream at this location, larger watercraft may not be practical, but this is not directly sourced.
When is the best time to visit Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
April through October, when the recreation area and campground are open for the season.
What are the rules at Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area?
Day-use hours 7am-8pm during the April 15-October 31 season (Recreation.gov lists check-in/quiet hours to 10pm for campers); generators limited to 4 hours daily between 8am-8pm; area is within a bear sanctuary requiring food to be secured in containers or vehicles; firewood may not be transported in from outside sources; reservations for camping must be made via Recreation.gov or 877-444-6777, not by calling the site office directly.
What water body is Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area on?
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is on South Toe River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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