Davidson River Campground
National Forests in North Carolina · North Carolina · 132 sites
Photos: USDA Forest Service via Recreation.gov
Overview
Davidson River Campground is a USDA Forest Service campground in National Forests in North Carolina, North Carolina, with 132 sites in 9 loops. Very shady: nearly every site is under trees. T-Mobile at 75 of 132, Verizon at 112 of 132, AT&T at 86 of 132.
130 of 132 sites shaded
0 of 132 sites in full sun
0 of 132 sites with clear sky
Map of the campground
Every site from the Recreation.gov listing. Choose a layer to see it across the campground; tap a site to open it in Roam.
Layers
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Questions
Which sites at Davidson River Campground are the shadiest?
Nearly all of them. 130 of 132 sites at Davidson River Campground have good shade from the trees, including from the hot afternoon sun.
See the tree canopy in RoamWhich sites at Davidson River Campground get the most sun?
None are truly sunny; the sunniest still have trees over most of the site.
See the tree canopy in RoamWill Starlink work at Davidson River Campground?
Hard. No site has a fully clear gap; 17 have a partial one where Starlink may drop out. Satellite texting on a phone needs less open sky, but still works best from the most open spot you can find. This is our estimate from tree heights — check with the Starlink app's obstruction check when you arrive.
See the tree canopy in RoamWhich sites at Davidson River Campground are the most level?
93 of 132 sites are flat, and 18 more have a gentle slope most RVs can level with blocks; 21 are steeper, better for tents. Sites that take RVs or trailers fit rigs up to 67 ft.
See the slope at each site in RoamDoes Davidson River Campground have cell service?
Patchy. T-Mobile at 75 of 132; Verizon at 112 of 132 (it's missing in Riverbend and Roadside); AT&T at 86 of 132. That's the coverage each carrier reports to the FCC, not a measured signal, so under trees or below a ridge it can be weaker.
See the coverage map in RoamWhen is the best time to see fall color at Davidson River Campground?
October. In a typical year the leaves around Davidson River Campground are at their best in mid to late October, though any one fall can run a week or two early or late. Roam’s fall foliage map shows how far the color has come this week, free every September through November.
See this week’s fall color in RoamWhat’s the weather like at Davidson River Campground in October?
In October, expect highs around 67°F and lows around 44°F, with about 5.3 inches of rain over the month. Every month’s averages are in Roam Premium.
Open Davidson River in RoamCampground facts
- Sites
- 132 in 9 loops
- Kinds
- 132 for RVs or trailers
- Hookups
- 30 with electric
- Longest rig
- 67 ft
- Elevation
- 2,151–2,188 ft
- Amenities
- Food storage lockers
- Every site
- Pets allowed · Check-in 2 PM, check-out 12 PM
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service
- Booking
- Reserve on Recreation.gov
How we know Sources and limits
Shade, sun and Starlink are our estimates from Meta and the World Resources Institute’s canopy-height model (about 2 m pixels, from satellite imagery calibrated with space lidar; CC BY 4.0). From 2 m above each site we trace 72 lines out to 60 m and note the tallest tree in each direction. Shade counts trees overhead, the canopy within 30 m and how much of the afternoon sky is blocked. Sun counts how open the southern sky is. Starlink needs open sky above 35°, with the northern half counted twice because US dishes tilt north, and we keep the best spot within 8 m of the site’s post. The model sees tree heights only, not trunks, buildings or hills, so check with the Starlink app when you arrive.
Slope is the ground at each site’s post over about 4 m, from USGS 3DEP 3.4 m lidar: level under 2%, gentle to 4% (most rigs level on blocks), sloped to 8% (fine for a tent), steep beyond.
Cell coverage is from the FCC Broadband Data Collection (carrier filings as downloaded May 2026): each site is tested against each carrier’s modelled outdoor 4G/5G coverage. It is what the carriers report, not a measured signal.
Fall color is the typical peak from NASA’s MODIS satellite record of when leaves change (2001–2023), limited to deciduous and mixed forest with USGS land cover (NLCD), calibrated to the USA National Phenology Network’s ground reports of colored leaves (CC BY 4.0). It is an average of many autumns, so the page gives a window, not a date.
Weather is NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for the campground. Sites and facts are from Recreation.gov’s open data (July 2026). Map imagery: USGS The National Map. Photos: Recreation.gov.
From the campground’s Recreation.gov listing: “Campsites are organized into eight loops and some are adjacent to the water. Sites are mostly shaded and equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. The facility also provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets in each loop. Campers can purchase ice and firewood on-site and rent bikes nearby. The campground is located in Pisgah National Forest at an elevation of 2,150 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers. The group camping area is adjacent to the beautiful Davidson River.”
Page data as of October 15, 2026. Full source notes are in each layer’s info in the app.