State Parks Near Waynesville, North Carolina
12 state park units lie within 50 miles of Waynesville, including 9 parks across the line in South Carolina and Tennessee and Georgia. The closest is Gorges State Park, about 27 mi south of town. None are within 25 miles, so plan on a half-day trip.
- Closest park
- Gorges State Park27 mi south
- Within 25 miles
- 0of 12 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 116 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 113 with free entry
State parks near Waynesville, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Waynesville; driving distance is usually longer.
Gorges State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, biking, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include 2 camping areas, with RV sites with full hookups and tent sites. There are also cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Gorges State Park →Caesars Head State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Caesars Head State Park →Jones Gap State Park
Things to do include historic sites, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Jones Gap State Park →Table Rock State Park
Things to do include historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 12 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: 94 campsites, including RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Table Rock State Park →Devils Fork State Park
Things to do include historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Devils Fork State Park →Keowee-Toxaway State Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, boating, swimming, fishing, and biking. For overnight stays there are 20 campsites across 3 camping areas (RV sites with full hookups and tent sites). There are also cabins for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Keowee-Toxaway State Park →Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park is a park in Rutherford County, about 3 miles west of Lake Lure.
Hours, fees and rules for Chimney Rock State Park →Oconee State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. The official site lists about 200 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Oconee State Park →Oconee Station State Historic Site
The park supports historic sites, biking, wildlife watching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Oconee Station State Historic Site →Mount Mitchell State Park
The park supports hiking and picnicking. Overnight options include 2 camping areas, with tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Mount Mitchell State Park →Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
Things to do include fishing, biking, and hiking. Camping is available: 3 camping areas, including tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park →Black Rock Mountain State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, geocaching, and hiking. The official site lists about 11 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Black Rock Mountain State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Waynesville
- Gorges State Park 27 mi south · Campground listed
- Caesars Head State Park 34 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Jones Gap State Park 35 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Table Rock State Park 35 mi southeast · 94 campsites
- Devils Fork State Park 37 mi south · Campground listed
+ 6 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Waynesville
- Gorges State Park 27 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Table Rock State Park 35 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Devils Fork State Park 37 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Keowee-Toxaway State Park 39 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Oconee State Park 43 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
+ 1 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Waynesville
- Gorges State Park 27 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Caesars Head State Park 34 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Jones Gap State Park 35 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Table Rock State Park 35 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Devils Fork State Park 37 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 6 more in the list above
Swimming near Waynesville
- Table Rock State Park 35 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Devils Fork State Park 37 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Keowee-Toxaway State Park 39 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Oconee State Park 43 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Waynesville
- Gorges State Park 27 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Caesars Head State Park 34 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Jones Gap State Park 35 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Table Rock State Park 35 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Devils Fork State Park 37 mi south · Hiking trails listed
+ 6 more in the list above
Fishing near Waynesville
- Gorges State Park 27 mi south · Fishing listed
- Caesars Head State Park 34 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Jones Gap State Park 35 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Table Rock State Park 35 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Devils Fork State Park 37 mi south · Fishing listed
+ 4 more in the list above
Free state parks near Waynesville
- Keowee-Toxaway State Park 39 mi south · No entrance fee listed
- Chimney Rock State Park 42 mi east · No entrance fee listed
- Oconee Station State Historic Site 44 mi south · No entrance fee listed
Questions about state parks near Waynesville
What is the closest state park to Waynesville?
Gorges State Park is the closest, about 27 miles south of Waynesville in a straight line. Next are Caesars Head State Park and Jones Gap State Park.
How many state parks are near Waynesville?
12 state park units are within 50 miles, and 0 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Waynesville have camping?
11 parks list camping, the nearest being Gorges State Park, Caesars Head State Park and Jones Gap State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Waynesville?
Yes, at 11 parks, including Gorges State Park, Caesars Head State Park and Jones Gap State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Waynesville?
3 parks list no entrance fee: Keowee-Toxaway State Park, Chimney Rock State Park and Oconee Station State Historic Site. Camping and some activities can still cost extra.
State parks near other cities
- Near Asheville, NC26 mi east
- Near Greeneville, TN48 mi north
- Near Morristown, TN52 mi north
- Near Clemson, SC56 mi south
- Near Greenville, SC57 mi southeast
- Near Knoxville, TN63 mi northwest
- Near Johnson City, TN69 mi northeast
- Near Anderson, SC70 mi south
Or see all North Carolina state parks, South Carolina state parks, Tennessee state parks, Georgia state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.