Best Dispersed Camping near Asheville, NC
The mountains surrounding Asheville serve as home to several dispersed camping areas throughout the Blue Ridge region. Camping outside established sites in national forests requires self-sufficiency and proper preparation. Sunburst Campground sits in the Great Smoky Mountains area and tends to fill up on weekends with campers looking for basic sites. You'll need to carry in your own water and supplies since these remote spots lack facilities of any kind. Following Leave No Trace practices helps keep these areas in good condition for future campers. Rules state that you must camp at least 200 feet from streams and roadways. Before lighting any fires, check current fire bans as they change seasonally based on conditions. You can stay up to 14 days at most dispersed sites before needing to move. Many access roads become rutted after rain, making higher clearance vehicles necessary for reaching certain areas. Bears and other wildlife roam these forests, so hang food properly and keep a clean camp. Remember that everything you bring in must leave with you—these areas have no trash service.
