Answer Woman: How popular is Lake Powhatan campground? How many campsites?

Iris Seaton
·3 min read
Scenes from the Lake Powhatan campground March 16, 2023.
Scenes from the Lake Powhatan campground March 16, 2023.

Today's questions from a reader center on the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area and Campground. Got a question for Answer Man or Answer Woman? Email Interim Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.

Question: I often hike in the Lake Powhatan area of the Pisgah National Forest. There is an extensive number of camping sites available as well as freshwater, showers, and toilets. How many campsites are available? Are there any figures on how many campers use these sites on an annual basis? Is that facility hooked up to the Asheville water department and the Metropolitan sewerage district? If not, where do they get their water from and how is their sewage treated?

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Answer: There are 97 campsites at Lake Powhatan, a popular destination in Bent Creek Experimental Forest, which is part of the Pisgah National Forest, just south of Asheville. These campsites are available to the public for booking through the government's centralized travel planning platform, recreation.gov. Among the 97 campsites:

  • 51 are tent accessible.

  • 46 are RV/motorhome accessible.

  • 19 have full hookups with running water and electricity.

  • 5 have electricity hookups only.

The campsites fill up quickly, so visitors hoping to camp at Lake Powhatan should book in advance. Bookings are required during the open season, and can be made through its website. During the offseason, camping is first come, first serve.

There were about 2,000 camping visitors in 2022 to the Lake Powhatan campground.
There were about 2,000 camping visitors in 2022 to the Lake Powhatan campground.

In 2022, the Lake Powhatan campground had around 20,000 camping visitors and an extra 1,700 glamping visitors. These numbers include the full year, but a majority of bookings occur during their busiest season March 24 to Nov. 15. Currently, those looking to reserve a campsite at Lake Powhatan can book in advance anywhere between March 18 and Sept. 17. Further dates open up as the season progresses.

More:Pisgah Glamping is the first 'glamorous camping' for the U.S. Forest Service

Separate from traditional primitive and RV accessible campsites, for the past four years, campers have also had the option to book “glamping” sites at Lake Powhatan. These sites provide a more comfortable version of the traditional camping experience for those looking to feel a little more at home while enjoying the great outdoors.

Brian Johnson of the Lake Powhatan staff gave a rundown on the nature of these sites.

“They are still primitive in nature,” Johnson said. “They don't have electricity or water in them. It’s primarily a queen size bed that’s made up like a hotel. The space is relatively small, so inside it is pretty minimal. There’s a table, a couple of end tables, a couple of lamps. And we use these rechargeable big battery packs that RVs and campers would use to provide the light and ability to charge devices.”

Scenes from the Lake Powhatan campground March 16, 2023.
Scenes from the Lake Powhatan campground March 16, 2023.

Also included at glamping sites are military grade Diamond Brand tents (made in Fletcher), fans and a cooler in each tent. Glamping costs during Powhatan’s busy season are $130 for weekend dates, and $100 for weekdays.

The facility is hooked up to the Asheville water department and sewage system. Many areas in Pisgah National Forest provide water with private wells, but Lake Powhatan is close enough to other water mains that they can provide city water and sewage services to their campsites.

More:Our 2023 Guide To Summer Day Camps

Day visitors and campers alike can enjoy the area’s many attractions. While motorized vessels are not permitted, the lake is suitable for swimming and trout fishing. Guests interested in angling can also visit the nearby French Broad River.

Outside of enjoying the lake view and water attractions, the area is home to backpacking and biking trails that deliver visitors to sites in the Pisgah National Forest including waterfalls, hardwood forests and stunning views of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Powhatan is located within the Pisgah Ranger District of the national forest. Visitors can also choose to stay at North Mills River Campground and Sunburst Campground.

More:Pisgah, Nantahala plan done: Forest service still seeking feedback, logging fears remain

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Woman: How popular is Lake Powhatan campground? How many spots?