Places To Go Camping In North Carolina

If you’re thinking of going camping, North Carolina is a great suggestion for your adventure. Here, you’ll find the Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic Ocean, both rooted in American history and a perfect place to nestle between. With so many places to choose from, choosing may be difficult. Following are the 5 best camping sites in North Carolina in no particular order:

Merchants Millpond State Park (Sunbury, NC)
This camping spot is not located near the mountains or beach and is found in the northeastern part of the state. Despite this, it has much to offer, and is referred to as a mini OKefenokee Swamp because of its wetland ecosystem. Because of this, it is a great place for fishing and canoeing, and the ground around the pond has many hiking trails. There are 20 campsites available, each well maintained, and not overcrowded. Despite this, it is advised you arrive early to secure your spot.

Lake James State Park (Morganton, NC)
This camping spot has the distinction of being the clearest and cleanest lake in the Carolinas. Because it is a newer camping site, it has many contemporary facilities, making it great for tent campers as RV camping is prohibited. This camping site has two camp grounds that are accessible for the disabled. There are beautiful views here as you can see the Pisgah National Forest from across the water. Of course, you can swim, fish, canoe and hike in this area, making it perfect for outdoor adventuring.

Big Creek Campground (Cove Creek, NC)
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a beautiful place that can be crowded. Its Big Creek Campground, however, differs from this, as it only has 12 campsites and only tents are allowed here. It is a walk-in campground from the parking lot, and is at the head of the Big Creek Trail that follows the logging era. For those who want to cool off, there is a swimming hole that is situated between the white rapids. You can enjoy the majestic Great Smoky Mountains in this quiet camping spot.

Hanging Rock State Park (Danbury, NC)
Hanging Rock State Park has the views of the Sauratown Mountains rising from the Piedmont and towering over the countryside. The campground has 73 campsites spread between two loops. The first loop has 42 sites and is open all week while the other has 31 campsites only open on weekends. If you want to take a weekend camping trip, it’s a good idea to arrive by 1pm on Friday. This place is great to explore, so you may even consider a week long camping trip.

Balsam Mountain Campground (Cherokee, NC)
The Balsam Mountain Campground offers rare sights of the Great Smoky Mountains, as you can find red spruce and Fraser fir forests usually found in Canada around here. Established in 1934, this campsite is meant for tent camping. This site is never overcrowded because RVs aren’t allowed in this camping area, making it perfect for a camping trip in the mountains.

Other great camping places are Ocracoke Island Campground, accessible by ferry, and Frisco Campground on the Cape Hatteras Seashore. These are both great places if you want to stay near the beach.

Choosing between these camp sites may make your North Carolina hard to plan, but in the end it will be worth it. The great scenery makes this state a camper’s paradise, so pack your bags and get ready for your very unique camping experience.