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Dispersed Camping

Mills River Dispersed

3 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

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.

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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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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
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    Verizon
    No Coverage
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    AT&T
    No Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Pisgah National Forest Wash Creek Horse Camp

Pisgah National Forest Wash Creek Horse Camp

12 min away

Wash Creek Dispersed Pull-Off

Wash Creek Dispersed Pull-Off

23 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

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

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

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Reviews

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2.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

Kat B.
Reviewed Apr. 21, 2025

TEMPORARILY CLOSED APRIL 2025

FYI - this is not showing as closed on NFS site - right after the North Mills River Campground Yellow Gap road is gated and closed due to damage from Helene in Sep 2024.  A call to Pisgah Forest Service office confirmed it may be quite a bit before it is opened up as there are other priority areas they are currently working on.

Month of VisitApril
Adam B.
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
TThe Dyrt PRO User
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
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Showing results 1-3 of 3 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Yellow Gap Road camping located in Mills River?

Yellow Gap Road camping is located just beyond North Mills River Campground in the Pisgah National Forest. The dispersed camping sites are situated along Yellow Gap Road (Forest Service Road 1206), which extends from the North Mills River Recreation Area in Mills River, North Carolina. The area is characterized by lush forest surroundings and features sites adjacent to a flowing stream.

Is dispersed camping allowed on Yellow Gap Road in Mills River?

Yes, dispersed camping is allowed on Yellow Gap Road in Mills River. These are free campsites distinct from the nearby paid camping options. However, it's important to note that Yellow Gap Road is currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene, with the road being gated after North Mills River Campground. Contact the Pisgah Forest Service office before planning a trip to verify access and current conditions.

What amenities are available for campers on Yellow Gap Road?

Yellow Gap Road dispersed camping sites offer minimal amenities, as is typical with dispersed camping. The sites feature well-maintained and leveled areas for pitching tents. Most camping spots are positioned adjacent to a cold, flowing stream which provides a water source (though treatment is necessary). There are no formal facilities such as bathrooms, showers, or garbage service, so campers must pack out all trash and be prepared for primitive camping conditions.

What outdoor activities can you do near Yellow Gap Road camping area?

The Yellow Gap Road camping area provides excellent access to numerous outdoor activities in Pisgah National Forest. Visitors can enjoy hiking on nearby trails, mountain biking on the extensive trail network, fishing in Mills River and its tributaries, and wildlife viewing throughout the lush forest environment. The cold stream running alongside many campsites offers opportunities for wading and cooling off during warmer months. The surrounding forest is ideal for nature photography, bird watching, and simply enjoying the peaceful mountain wilderness.

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