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Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Lake Santeelah Dispersed

Lake Santeelah Dispersed, near Robbinsville, North Carolina, is a fantastic location for those seeking a peaceful escape surrounded by nature. This area offers spacious sites that are perfect for tent camping, with many spots providing stunning views of the lake and mountains.

Visitors rave about the cleanliness and maintenance of the sites, with one camper noting, “The sites are very well laid out and maintained!” While there are no hookups or amenities like showers and toilets, the natural beauty and tranquility make it worth it. Campers can enjoy fishing right from the banks, with bass and bluegills reported to be plentiful.

The scenery here is breathtaking, especially in the fall when the trees change colors. Many campers appreciate the solitude, with some sites offering a sense of privacy despite being close to the road. As one reviewer mentioned, “It’s an absolutely beautiful lake in the forest.” If you’re looking for a place to unwind and soak in the great outdoors, Lake Santeelah Dispersed is definitely worth a visit.

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Location

Lake Santeelah Dispersed is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

35.36765047761182 N
83.85285533956637 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Lake Santeelah Dispersed needs a permit.

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Reviewed Feb. 9, 2024

Quiet, nice spaces, and clean!

Such a great find! I was hoping to car camp a little closer to NOC but not in a campground but this is the closest I could find in February. I would definitely stay here again! Very quiet and clean and the sites are very well laid out and maintained! No hook ups of any kind but it’s worth it! Highway Patrol and Park Rangers patrol pretty frequently so I felt really safe as a solo female. I still took all the safety precautions but didn’t feel as necessary as some.

SiteP2
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Natalie R., February 9, 2024
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Natalie R., February 9, 2024
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Natalie R., February 9, 2024
  • (19) View All
Reviewed Nov. 7, 2023

Well maintained free camping

We were fortunate to get a site that allowed us to pull the car right into the site for our roof top tent. Not very far to walk to reach the lake and the fishing wasn’t bad at all. Bass and Bluegills. Fairly quiet besides the rice burners heading to Tail of the Dragon. Very good overall.

Site10
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by WDRoberson , November 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by WDRoberson , November 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by WDRoberson , November 7, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Oct. 27, 2023

Stunning 😍

GPS coordinates got me exactly to where I wanted to go. Lots of twists and turns going up the dragon with beautiful scenery of the trees changing colors in late October. There are a handful of Lots located right along the lake with a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance. My dog absolutely loved how much space she had to roam around and how clear the water was excellent for swimming.

Some of the plots you can only fit one tent others you could fit up to three or four

SiteP7
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Robert W., October 27, 2023
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Robert W., October 27, 2023
Reviewed Feb. 25, 2023

Great spot

I will say there isn’t a lot of campsites but the ones they have are great. Fishing from the banks is possible and it was relatively clean and quiet. Definitely worth a visit

Site1
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Colton F., February 25, 2023
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Colton F., February 25, 2023
Reviewed Jan. 4, 2023

Great free place with amazing views

This camp site is free to use and it is a great little place. The sites are huge like you could probably fit a few different set ups in each site. It’s a little confusing if you get here in the dark while it’s pouring rain but I just took the first right onto the gravel road where the bathrooms are and there is 3 sites down there with greats views of the lake.

Site10
Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Oct. 21, 2022

Nice serene lakeside spots

It's an absolutely beautiful lake in the forest. The trees are turning and the sky is blue. Only drawback is the Pine Ridge Rd dispersed camping is along the roadside. Not really private. You have to walk to your site if you want to set up a tent. No room for a large RV. But the scenery is beautiful. AT&T works just fine!

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Karen , October 21, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2022

Lake view all around

There are several camps all just off the road. They all get right up to the lake with area for tent and fire pit

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Tyler T., October 8, 2022
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2022

Solitude

We were the only ones there and it was quiet

SiteN/A
Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2022

Fantastic free campsites along the lake!

Beautiful campsites along the lake. Parking spots above near road and then some stairs down to a campfire ring, picnic table, and flat surface for a tent by the lake. We camped in the truck and had no issues with traffic since the sites are on a side-road off the main road.

Address from Google Maps: 1209-473 Pine Ridge Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

SiteP2
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Charles , July 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Charles , July 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Lake Santeelah Dispersed by Charles , July 4, 2022
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Lake Santeelah Dispersed?

    Lake Santeelah Dispersed is located at 937 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Lake Santeelah Dispersed?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Lake Santeelah Dispersed, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Lake Santeelah Dispersed have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Lake Santeelah Dispersed does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Lake Santeelah Dispersed?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.