Which KOA is this? KOA (Kampgrounds of America) is a private campground brand, and this page covers its two Asheville-area locations: Asheville West KOA Holiday and Asheville East KOA Holiday. It is not a National Park Service or Forest Service campground. KOA’s own site names both campgrounds “Asheville” and places them on opposite sides of the city along I-40.
This page is part of our guide to campgrounds in Asheville, NC. It sets out the two KOA campgrounds using the information KOA publishes for each, so you can decide which one fits a trip. Our directory files them under the towns where they sit: Asheville West KOA listing, phone and map (Candler) and Asheville East KOA listing, phone and map (Swannanoa). For a wider look at the area, see the Asheville camping guide.
KOA Asheville NC: two campgrounds, two sides of I-40
People searching for koa asheville or koa in asheville will find two separate KOA Holiday campgrounds rather than one. KOA’s page for Asheville West describes it as an RV park and campground with cabins in Candler, NC, “just off I-40 and 15 miles west of downtown Asheville.” KOA’s directions for the same campground say to take I-40 12 miles west of Asheville to Exit 37.
KOA’s page for Asheville East gives its location as I-40, 10 miles east of Asheville, and describes riverfront camping on the Swannanoa River. Its directions say to take Exit 59, go north one block to the signal at US 70, turn right and continue 2 miles.
KOA labels both as “KOA Holiday” campgrounds, a category it describes as featuring RV sites with a KOA Patio, Deluxe Cabins with full baths, Premium Tent Sites and group meeting facilities.
KOA campground Asheville: Asheville West in Candler
KOA campground near Asheville NC, west side
KOA lists Asheville West as a koa campground near Asheville NC for travelers who want to stay close to the interstate. Its directions page says: “Follow directions, not GPS.” Eastbound drivers take three rights from Exit 37, and westbound drivers take a left and two rights, half a mile from the exit.
Sites and amenities at Asheville West
- Ways to stay listed by KOA: RV sites, lodging (cabins), tent sites and extended stays.
- Amenities listed: 50-amp maximum, 65-foot maximum length, Wi-Fi, cable TV, a pool, propane, a Kamping Kitchen, firewood, a pavilion, a dog park and KampK9.
- Pool dates shown on KOA’s amenities list: 5/26 to 9/15. KOA’s overview text says the pool is open Memorial Day through mid-September.
- RV sites: KOA describes deluxe back-in sites on the east side of the campground with full hookups at 50/30/20 amps, and pull-thru sites with full hookups at 50/30 amps. It notes that sites nearer I-40 may have highway noise.
- Tent and small-rig sites: KOA lists back-in water-and-electric sites at 30/20 amps with a gravel tent pad, picnic table and fire pit. Some include a covered picnic shelter.
- Cabin: KOA’s lodging page lists a Deluxe Cabin with a full bath that sleeps 2 on a queen bed. The listing says no pets are allowed in the cabin and that holidays and weekends in July and October require a two-night minimum.
KOA’s overview also states that the campground offers motorcycle-friendly camping and monthly stays. Monthly availability is on KOA’s extended stays page; confirm it with the campground.
Asheville NC KOA West: nearby places and distances
Anyone looking for an Asheville NC KOA West location can use the drive times KOA lists for this campground. These are KOA’s figures, not independent measurements:
- Downtown Asheville: 15 miles (20 minutes)
- Biltmore Estate: 14 miles (18 minutes)
- North Carolina Arboretum: 12 miles (21 minutes)
- Canton, NC: 6 miles (10 minutes)
- Waynesville and Maggie Valley: 20 miles (30 minutes)
- Brevard: 38 miles (50 minutes)
- Cherokee: 39 miles (54 minutes)
- Bent Creek Experimental Forest: 18 miles (32 minutes)
- Chestnut Mountain Nature Park and Berm Park: 2 miles (4 minutes)
KOA Asheville West and “West Asheville”
Searches such as koa asheville west and koa campground west asheville nc point to Asheville West KOA Holiday. It is in Candler, on I-40 west of the city, and KOA does not describe it as being in the West Asheville neighborhood. Our Candler campgrounds page lists it.
KOA campground Asheville NC: Asheville East in Swannanoa
KOA campground in Asheville, east side
For a koa campground in Asheville on the Swannanoa River, KOA’s Asheville East page offers RV sites for short-term and extended stays, plus tent camping. Its amenities list shows a 50-amp maximum, 70-foot maximum length, Wi-Fi, a pool, propane, firewood, bike rentals and a dog park. The listed pool dates are 5/25 to 9/5. KOA’s text also mentions gaga ball, cornhole, a jump pillow, a playground, basketball and scenic trails.
KOA’s lodging page lists a Deluxe Cabin with a full bath, a queen bed, bunk beds and a sofa with a pull-out bed, sleeping up to 6. The listing says pets are allowed, with fees collected at check-in.
Hurricane Helene notice. KOA’s Asheville East page states that areas of the campground, including the lakes, were still being repaired after damage from Hurricane Helene and are off limits for the safety of guests and staff. KOA may have updated this since we read it. Check the campground page and call before booking.
Our Swannanoa campgrounds page lists this campground along with others in town.
KOA Asheville North Carolina: comparing the two
This comparison uses only KOA’s published details. KOA describes both as pet-friendly campgrounds with Wi-Fi and a seasonal pool.
- Asheville West (Candler): Exit 37, 12 miles west of Asheville per KOA’s directions; 65-foot maximum length; pull-thru RV sites, tent-capable water-and-electric sites and a Deluxe Cabin; Kamping Kitchen and pavilion; no pets in the listed cabin.
- Asheville East (Swannanoa): Exit 59, 10 miles east of Asheville per KOA’s directions; 70-foot maximum length; Swannanoa River frontage; bike rentals; a Deluxe Cabin that allows pets for a fee; a repair notice covering the lakes and other areas.
Travelers who need a koa near asheville for an overnight stop on I-40 can compare the two exits above. Searches such as koa in asheville north carolina, asheville north carolina koa, koa campground asheville nc and koa near asheville nc lead to these same two KOA Holiday campgrounds on KOA’s site. If you want a koa campground in asheville with a river frontage, KOA describes the East location that way.
Season and reservations
KOA takes reservations through its website and the phone number on each campground page. We do not repeat contact details here, so use the directory listings above. Pool seasons are given above. KOA’s cancellation policy is a national policy linked in its site footer. KOA shows promotional rates on its pages and they change, so we do not list prices. Confirm dates, rates and availability with KOA.
Things to do near the Asheville KOAs
These are places KOA names for the area, each with an official page:
- Biltmore Estate, named on both KOA pages.
- Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service.
- National Forests in North Carolina, which manages Pisgah National Forest.
- The North Carolina Arboretum, on the West campground’s drive-time list.
Rules to know
- Pets: KOA lists both campgrounds as pet-friendly, with the cabin differences above. Each page links to a pet policy; read it before you book.
- Directions: KOA’s West page says to follow its directions rather than GPS.
- Highway noise: KOA states that sites closer to I-40 at the West campground may have highway noise.
- Restricted areas: at East, areas KOA marks off limits after Helene damage are closed to guests.
Nearby campgrounds
- Asheville West KOA (Candler)
- Asheville East KOA (Swannanoa)
- French Broad River Campground (Asheville)
- Lake Powhatan Campground (Asheville)
- Boone KOA Campground, another KOA in the directory, in a different part of the mountains. See our Boone guide.
KOA Asheville FAQ
How many KOA campgrounds are there in Asheville?
KOA’s website lists two: Asheville West KOA Holiday in Candler and Asheville East KOA Holiday in Swannanoa.
Is there a KOA near Asheville with cabins?
KOA lists a Deluxe Cabin with a full bath on the lodging page of each campground.
Can I bring a dog?
KOA lists both as pet-friendly with a dog park. The West Deluxe Cabin listing says no pets; the East Deluxe Cabin listing allows pets with a fee.
Are the pools open year-round?
KOA shows 5/26 to 9/15 for West and 5/25 to 9/5 for East.
Is everything open at Asheville East after Hurricane Helene?
KOA’s page says some areas, including the lakes, were closed for repairs. Ask KOA for the current status.
Dates, policies and closures change, so confirm before you go. Check KOA for Asheville West and Asheville East, and the Forest Service and Recreation.gov for public-land camping nearby. Phone numbers and maps are on the listings for Asheville West KOA and Asheville East KOA.
