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Signs & Maps

Dispersed Camping

Mills River Dispersed

Mills River Dispersed is located in Pisgah National Forest, featuring forested terrain with a mix of trees and undergrowth. Temperatures range from lows in the 30s during winter to highs in the 80s in summer. Nearby attractions include the Blue Ridge Parkway and the North Carolina Arboretum, offering opportunities for exploration and learning.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Pisgah National Forest

Dispersed campsites are primitive camping areas that don't have bathrooms or many of the other amenities you will find at developed campgrounds. Dispersed camping is only allowed at designated areas.

To limit impact, dispersed camping is only allowed at designated sites in these areas on the Pisgah National Forest: Pisgah Ranger District along the following corridors: Cathy’s Creek, Courthouse Creek, Wash Creek, Headwaters, Yellow Gap and Avery Creek; in corridors along Big Ivy Road, Cold Springs Creek and River Road/ French Broad River in the Appalachian Ranger District; and along the Curtis Creek corridor in the Grandfather Ranger District. Areas closed to dispersed camping include Bent Creek Experimental Forest; the Cradle of Forestry in America; the Wilson Creek corridor; Silvermine Creek; developed day-use sites and campgrounds; and many wildlife openings. For site specific information. call the ranger districts.

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Location

Mills River Dispersed is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

35.42464331 N
82.66826954 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
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Dispersed
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • 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 Mills River Dispersed needs a permit.


Reviews

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2.5

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 20, 2024

Theft

They have a long term camper they refuse to run off and he will steal from you. Camp at your own risk, watch your stuff like a hawk. I'd really recommend Sunburst or Big Ivy instead of North Mills really.

Site3
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed May. 5, 2023

Beautiful, mostly peaceful, inconvenient

*this is just for the free campsites- there appears to be paid campsites and maybe RV hook ups very close by.

Pros:

  1. Gorgeous lush forest
  2. ice-cold flowing stream (in May) immediately off most camp spots
  3. well maintained and leveled places to pitch a tent.
  4. except for occasional cars, very very peaceful and far from any urban life or freeway.

Cons:

  1. No cell service (Verizon) without driving 10 minutes, and then patchy for another 10-15
  2. camp spots are mostly immediately off the road. It’s a very isolated place, so you have inconsistent privacy and peace and quiet.
  3. several cars drove by and woke me up after 11pm.
  4. the dirt road to get there as well as the pull off for the campsite are rough and a bit dangerous for low/regular cars. It’s doable but you should go very slow and watch out for giant holes and ridges. I bottomed out going into the parking space, and I lifted my Prius 1.5in

TO NOTE: Google maps incorrectly told me to take a right once I was on the dirt road that doesn’t exist. Just ignore it and keep going forward.

Explored up to campsite 4 the next day. Campsite 3 is a larger group site and a bit further off the road.

It’s not true “dispersed” camping because they have designated site you are supposed to stay at. Im not sure how many there are, but I only got up to #4, driving about 5-10 min down the dirt road.

Site#1
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Mills River Dispersed by Tavi C., May 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Mills River Dispersed by Tavi C., May 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Mills River Dispersed by Tavi C., May 5, 2023
  • (15) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Mills River Dispersed?

    Mills River Dispersed is located at 2392 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Mills River Dispersed?

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

  • Does Mills River Dispersed have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Mills River Dispersed does not have wifi.