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Best Tent Camping near Banner Elk, NC

1,279 Reviews

Tent campsites around Banner Elk, North Carolina range from established sites to more remote backcountry options. Mortimer Campground in the National Forests of North Carolina provides tent-specific camping in a wooded setting, while Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with more amenities. Some primitive tent camping can also be found at Steele Creek, which offers dispersed camping opportunities approximately 30 miles southwest of Banner Elk.

The terrain at tent campgrounds near Banner Elk varies considerably depending on location. Mortimer Campground features tent sites situated along Thorps Creek with access to hiking trails and a small waterfall within a half-mile walk from camp. Limited amenities are available at most backcountry tent camping areas, with Steele Creek offering free camping but no facilities beyond drinking water. According to one visitor, "Mortimer Campground does not disappoint! Hiking, fishing, swimming, and waterfall splashing abound on, and around, this campground." Campers should note that some areas, particularly at Mortimer, require traveling several miles on dirt roads, making advance provisioning important.

In early fall, many tent campsites offer crisp mountain air and fewer crowds compared to summer months. Blue Bear Mountain Camp provides spacious tent camping areas with well-spaced sites to enhance privacy. One camper noted that "the sites are well spaced so you don't feel on top of other campers. Remote sites provide that extra sense of privacy." Most tent-only camping areas in the region offer good proximity to hiking trails, with many sites positioned near water features like creeks that provide both scenery and ambient sound. For backcountry tent camping at Blue Bear, campers have the option of hiking in their gear or arranging for staff to transport equipment to more remote tent sites. The area's combination of mountain views, water access, and forest cover makes it particularly suitable for traditional tent camping experiences.

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Best Tent Sites Near Banner Elk, North Carolina (72)

    1. Blue Bear Mountain Camp

    27 Reviews
    Todd, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 406-4226

    $25 - $136 / night

    "It offers RV, drive in and hike in tent sites and also teepee camping."

    "We had a neighbor nice enough to give us his site because he was leaving early and I would have stayed another night there. It was C3 backed into the woods on level ground. It made for a cozy morning."

    2. Mortimer Campground — National Forests In North Carolina

    10 Reviews
    Collettsville, NC
    13 miles
    +1 (828) 652-2144

    $20 - $30 / night

    "The 5 upfront are walk in, and more private. The about to be 12 in the back are pull in and much closer together. Two shower houses, one on both ends, no hookups."

    "Had some friends stay next to us in a class b. A small trailer would fit, nothing big. No W/E/S but great place. Come early to reserve. You must set up camp immediately. No reservations."

    3. Dark Ridge HideOut (Adults Only)

    3 Reviews
    Beech Mountain, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 260-7169

    $20 - $45 / night

    "Excellent parking spot with plenty of room to set up a 3-person tent. Also, delivery of homemade pizza. I recommend the Jalapeno & Cheese."

    4. Camper Mountain on Roaring Creek

    2 Reviews
    Elk Park, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (407) 616-7496

    $29 - $69 / night

    "It’s a bit of a drive out there with little to no cell service but wifi is available over the whole site! Definitely worth it with amazing views all around."

    5. Plumtree Campground & Retreat

    1 Review
    Newland, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 528-5559

    $30 / night

    6. Elk Knob State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Zionville, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 297-7261

    $47 / night

    "Primitive camping and a perfect uphill 1.9 mile hike to the top of the world! If you're going in the winter I recommend hiking poles for hiking in the snow."

    "This park is just north of Boone, NC near the Tennessee state line. Great primitive sites at the bottom of the 5,520 ft mountain."

    7. Steele Creek

    4 Reviews
    Jonas Ridge, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 652-2144

    "I have stayed at all the free campsites around and left my review for each. This is by far the quietest, nicest, cleanest , site yet !"

    "There’s a nice big spot at the end of the trail where you could rooftop tent/car camp, but the actual site is about 100’ away."

    8. Boone Fork Campground

    4 Reviews
    Collettsville, NC
    17 miles
    Website

    "There is a 5 mile long trail that goes through the campground called Boone Fork Trail. This trail leads to Hebron falls where you can explore giant boulders and have a picnic."

    "The terrain is also flat and easy to hike through, making it a good long trail for beginners or children."

    9. Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area

    3 Reviews
    Butler, TN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    "Stayed a night out here while traveling, scary narrow rocky trails, but beautiful streams and mountains"

    10. River Livin'

    1 Review
    Todd, NC
    16 miles
    +1 (828) 278-9499

    $65 / night

    "We're happy to have this property on our platform. Check them out and come back here to leave your review!"

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Banner Elk, NC

98 Photos of 72 Banner Elk Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Banner Elk, NC

1279 Reviews of 72 Banner Elk Campgrounds

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area

    Beautiful & Free but Lots of Road Noise

    Just on the edge of Watauga Lake sits this free dispersed camping area that is perfect for tent camping only. This is a park outside the gate and walk your gear in type of place, some bring your IKEA bags or a wagon. Opportunities for fishing and boating are abundant. Most of campsites are large, very shaded, and have at least one fire ring. A handful of sites have direct water access, and are more private. 

    There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground. Please Leave No Trace! Also, we would not recommend camping here on a busy weekend because the road is very close and the trucks are very loud! 

    The nearest town is Butler, which is small but offers the basics such as groceries and gas.

  • Dave V.
    Aug. 29, 2017

    Mount Mitchell State Park Campground

    Lofty Blue Ridge Experience

    Mount Mitchell State Park, highest peak east of the Mississippi...6,684ft elevation... is located on The Blue Ridge Parkway, but it is still a bit of a climb (for foot or vehicle traffic) to get to the summit. https://www.ncparks.gov/mount-mitchell-state-park

    Getting here the day after the solar eclipse, it was still pretty busy...and if you are traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway...speed is only 45 mph, so do your calculations. There are only nine, yes, count them...nine tent camping sites. So reservations are a must if you want a site! The campground is open from May 1 to Oct 31...but if you walk-in to the sites, as in via the trails, you can rent a site amost all year.

    Tent sites are small, but nice. You get a timber lined tent pad, a crushed limestone area with picnic table, wooden lantern post, and a fire ring with flip grate...and a bear secure food storage bin. There are flush toilets between sites 3 and 7... and two water spigots nearby.

    If campsites are full and you desire to hike the trails, you can register your vehicle with office, leave it there in the parking lot and locate a place to make camp along the trails. There are also several free roadside sites marked with a brown plastic post with a small tent emblem on them. Ordinarily these are along a stream where you can gather water (filter it!)...but it is primitive (LNT!).

    The park has a restaurant, a museum, gift shop and an observation tower at the summit. Pretty cool that the observation tower is ADA...but steep.

    Check weather reports. These mountains make their own weather. And remember, for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, temperature decreases by 3 degrees (roughly...there is constant debate). So pack wisely. Surprisingly, though reports called for rain...we saw none.

    Great hiking and long mountain views are one of the draws. The walk up the Observation trail is paved but steep, so give yourself some time if you are wanting to capture the sunset. If hiking, there are a myriad of sites that offer maps, levels of difficulty and recommendations. Did I mention that if you are planning to hike for the day...plan and pack for weather?

    A worthwhile place to pitch your tent, but there are also several other campgrounds at lower elevations that also have great trails and more amenities.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2019

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Older Campground with Great Location

    Julian Price Campground is part of the Julian Price Memorial Park, which is along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the northern part of North Carolina. I have heard about this park for many years, so I wanted to finally camp there. It is an older park, and it shows. We stayed at site A4, and I chose this site for a few reasons. It was close to the lake, but unfortunately, we couldn’t see the lake from the site. Many of the sites in the A loop are reservable, and they have been reserved for several weeks(maybe months) in advance. They are the best sites as far as seeing the lake and sometimes because they are larger. The worst part I discovered about sites in the A loop is that you can hear traffic from the Blue Ridge Parkway all day long except for two to three hours in the middle of the night(about 1:30 to 4:30). On average, you can count on about twenty-five vehicles every five minutes(I know because I counted). It doesn’t help that the parkway is under construction and the road is gravel, which makes the sounds of vehicles even louder. The restrooms in A loop are old and need updating. There are no showers in A loop. The only showers are between B and D loops, which are on the other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. On the positive side, the showers in a new bath house, and they are private shower/restroom units. We rode through all of the loops to see what the other sites were like, and some of the sites are seldom used if the picnic tables and surrounding vegetation is any indication. Some of the picnic tables are covered in moss. Those were mostly in the sites that were small or sloped. For that reason, it is a good idea to look at the photos on the website for each site before reserving. Many of the sites are walk-in sites and you can set up before the 3:00 time for reservable sites. As far as activities, there is no swimming, but fishing is allowed. There is also a boat ramp, and you can rent canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. The lake is hatchery supported, and I did witness someone catching a fish as we walked along the lake trail. While we were in this area, we saw several small deer, including one that came through our campsite. Our campsite was spacious, and it had a concrete picnic table, a fire ring, a lantern pole, and a tent pad. The tent pad needed some maintenance since the dirt had washed onto it and made it slightly sloped. Not until later did I discover that there was a tall dead tree next to our tent. Only the top part was dead, but it could be a potential danger. The site next to ours was sectioned off because of a dead tree. If you are staying in A loop, I give it two stars, especially since the sites and bath house need maintenance, and because of the road noise. If you are staying in B or D loop, I would give it three or four stars. The sites in E loop are mainly for RVs and have less shade. One section in the A loop also is an open field and has limited shade. Overall, it’s not a bad choice for a campground, but it needs updating. What it has going for it is location. It is along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cone Memorial Park is down the road, which is a great destination in itself. There are lots of hiking trails and the beauty of the mountains is spectacular.

  • D
    Sep. 25, 2020

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Great high country campground

    This campground is minutes from Blowing Rock NC, which makes it super popular. There are restaurants and grocery stores nearby. There are two sides: the A-side is next to the lake but has no showers, just flush toilets, water spigots, and a food storage area. The other side has newer bathhouses.

    RV spots have electric hookups, tent spots do not. Many on lakeside have to be reserved in advance and are not as isolated as they may appear on the recreation.gov website. If you are thinking the “first come first served campsites” that are lakeside will be up for grabs at any given time you will be disappointed. I would recommend reserving one if possible. Tent pads are decent and will have some small gravel in them, they will for a standard six persons tent but that’s about it. Fire rings are standard size and sites have a lantern post, along with a cement top picnic table.

    Note that if you are towing a trailer and tenting you may have issues finding a place to park. Solid campground with friendly staff.

  • Katrin M.
    Aug. 14, 2023

    Mount Mitchell State Park Campground

    Absolutely stunning

    First of all... it is very hard to reserve a campsite for the weekend. And I completely understand why. It is simply beautiful. The campground has just 9 walk in sites. We stayed at site number 1 which is the closest to the parking lot. It was very private ( I think the most private of all) but number 5 and 6 have the best views. All campsites come with a firepit, picnic table, and a lantern pole.
    The bathhouse is very clean but had no showers or hot water. A very nice ranger sold us some firewood which was available in the parking lot. There are several ways to go up to the summit. You can hike 0.6 miles, which starts on top of the campground, or you drive up. On top of the mountain is a observation tower, a gift shop, a little museum, and a drink and snack bar. The fact I loved the most, was the the nice cool temperature. It was in the lower 70's during the day and about 50 at night. Be careful with the weather. It can change very quickly. A ranger came by and warned us about a coming thunderstorm. We found shelter on the porch of the bathhouse. It was very nice to watch the rain and the wind. We would camp here anytime again. It is really worth it.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Creekside Camping

    At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant.  The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail are just minutes away, as well as some easy whitewater paddling fun on the White Top Laurel Creek.

    Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! 

    Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease. We stayed at this camp for 3 weeks during the pandemic shutdown and it was a perfect place to ride out this crazy storm and decompress from some anxiety. 

    The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 12 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

  • Holly H.
    Aug. 10, 2021

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Large Wooded Campsites + Tons of Trails & Beautiful Lake!

    Had a great time at Julian Price Campground! ⛺️ 🌲 

    We had 2 groups and reserved sites B29 & B30 because they seemed more remote with water, restrooms, and trail access nearby. I could not have been happier about our sites!

    LOVELY trees, shade, and close to everything we needed. This is a BIG campground and some sections have sites all smooshed together – we had plenty of room to ourselves at the edge of the woods by the start of the Boone Fork Trail. This trail connects to several others and is an awesome spot for wanderers to go for a walk or pick up some fallen branches to process while you mess around at camp or cook dinner.

    We had a fantastic time and would love to go again! 

    Notes: 

    • We went August 2021, so it was really busy. People getting in a bit of camping before school starts… and maybe also looking to escape being cooped up during the pandemic. 

    • Weather was low 80's daytime, 60's nighttime. Rained a couple of hours one evening, but clear otherwise. 

    • Very peaceful & beautiful woods. Great trails! Lots of trees to hang a rain cover or hammocks. Plenty of down branches up the trail to use for extra wood. Stumps at the site for sitting or chopping up some kindling. Saw deer and rabbits about! 

    • Some of the tent sites looked small and hilly, but B29 & 30 were big & pretty level.

    • Sites had big fire rings with grills that come down over them. Ours was not exactly level, but got the job done. Stone picnic table with wood-top benches seat 4-6. Lots of space for extra chairs, etc around the campfire. 

    • These sites were really great, but got a bit of traffic because of the water access, restrooms, and trail that ran between the sites. People were walking and driving by often – which wasn't a problem, but it might be good to know beforehand. 

    • SOUND CARRIES here! It was a bit noisy some nights. 

    • Tent pad is dirt & rocks – we picked out any big ones before setting up and had yoga mats under our sleeping bags, but the ground was still hard. Definitely think about bringing a thicker pad or something inflatable if you prefer that. 

    • The lake is nearby and fun for canoes & kayaking! People fishing, too. The boathouse sells snacks, drinks, firewood, and bait. 

    • The campground is well maintained and the hosts were around often to clean the bathrooms, check on campers, etc. Very friendly! 

    • Hard to tell from the map, but the bathroom by B29 & B30 is NOT the one with showers. Showers are located at the larger facility in the middle of loop D, but there is a short path that runs from the back of this restroom to that area. The folks in our group that used them said they were wonderful. 

    • Loop B's bathroom does not have lights, so bring a lantern

    • EASY drive in & out, right on the blue ridge parkway. A short drive (20 min?) from Grandfather mountain which was AWESOME!! 

    • AT&T had really spotty connection – OK for intermittent texting & I got sporadic emails… but on-demand internet usage was basically nonexistent. The boathouse has wifi, though!

    • Check in@ 3pm, Check out@ 12pm.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2021

    Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground

    Easy Access, Close to Town

    Just across the Virginia state line, this national forest offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Beaver Dam Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant. Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. 

    There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease.  Would not recommend for any vehicle larger than 20 feet as the potholed road and the tight turns to get up to the camp from the road would be tough.  4WD highly recommended, especially in mud season or winter.

    We stayed at this camp for 10 days during the pandemic shutdown and it was a lovely place to ride out this crazy storm.  Some road noise from the motorcycles that cruise the road, but only occasionally. The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 5 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Crabtree Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Campground in the Forest

    On the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled in the trees and mountains of North Carolina, this campground is an older style NPS campground, but has been well maintained. Sites are back-in and pull through on the side of site. Most sites will allow for 30’ rigs. All sites have picnic table and built-in fire pits. There are no hookups. There are no showers in the trailer (RV) loop, but does include a couple comfort station with flush toilets. Campground Ranger was helpful and very friendly. Sites are split between first come first serve and reservations. Payment made with Ranger by cash or credit card. At $30 per site per day, the price is a little steep.

Guide to Banner Elk

Tent camping opportunities near Banner Elk, North Carolina extend throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations averaging 3,700 feet, creating mild summer temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. The region sits within day-trip distance of Grandfather Mountain and Linville Gorge, with most camping areas featuring deciduous forest cover that provides natural shade during summer months but opens up for mountain views during leaf-off seasons.

What to do

Swimming in mountain creeks: At Steele Creek, numerous campsites position you along the water. According to Kylie B., "The creek is a great spot to swim... there is a walking trail at the end of the road about 100 feet from our site, that had the best swimming hole at the end of it, where you can jump in. It has a couple small waterfalls to add to the ambience."

Mountain summit hiking: From Elk Knob State Park Campground, take the Summit Trail to the peak at 5,520 feet. "Take Summit Trail to the top and enjoy great views of the surrounding area 2 miles one way," notes Fain H. The trail climbs approximately 1,000 feet in elevation from the primitive camping area.

Fishing mountain waters: Local waterways offer trout fishing opportunities within walking distance of campsites. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, the fishing pond proves productive. Kristen J. reports, "The hike to the pond was a little more strenuous than we anticipated but once you get there, there is a nice creek and we caught a trout in the pond right away."

Winter recreation: Several camping areas remain accessible year-round, making them suitable bases for cold-weather activities. Fain H. comments about Elk Knob, "This trip was in fall and the leaves were beautiful, but this park stays open year round and I would love to go back in the winter."

What campers like

Cool temperatures: The high elevation provides relief from summer heat at Blue Bear Mountain Camp. Mandy R. confirms, "Not only is the weather so much cooler in the summer there (70-80 in July!), it's just a wonderful, down to earth place to be." This temperature difference can be 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowland areas.

Site spacing: Many campers appreciate the distance between sites at certain campgrounds. Scott D. noted at Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "After a string of rough camps and brutal temps this mountain spot was so welcome." Similarly, Raven B. mentioned, "The mountain views are breathtaking. The campsites are small and close together. We were lucky to only be sharing the property with 1 other group."

Proximity to water: Sites with creek access rank highest among tent campers in the area. At Steele Creek, Kenny L. simply states, "Great camping spot with access to the creek for swimming." The sound of flowing water is mentioned repeatedly in camper reviews as a natural sleep aid.

Primitive camping options: For tent campers seeking more remote experiences, several campgrounds offer walk-in sites. James C. says about Dark Ridge HideOut, "The primitive sites are great. Hike in/out if you want or they can haul you stuff down. Either way it's beautiful."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to some of the best tent camping near Banner Elk requires driving on unpaved roads. Michael W. notes about Steele Creek: "Road wasn't too bad, only a spot or 2 on the switchback that were probably best for a 4 wheel drive vehicle, but I'm sure most cars would be fine."

Limited facilities: Many primitive sites have minimal amenities. Brenna M. warns about insects at Steele Creek: "I did get eaten alive by mosquitos and I found a tick on my chair so be on the lookout." Bring insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin for summer camping.

Space limitations: Several campgrounds have restrictions on vehicle size or type. Michael W. advises, "Maybe I missed this in the reviews, but all but 1 site were best for tents. I drove in to camp in my car and there was only 1 spot, which is by the creek crossing, and it was already taken."

Seasonal popularity: Securing sites during peak seasons requires advanced planning. At Mortimer Campground, Cody B. advises, "Come early to reserve. You must set up camp immediately. No reservations." Weekends from June-October typically fill fastest.

Tips for camping with families

Bathroom access: When camping with children, campgrounds with toilets reduce challenges. Danielle H. notes about Mortimer Campground, "Definitely a backcountry campground, only two other campers there when I visited." Clementine K. adds, "Two shower houses, one on both ends, no hookups."

Trail difficulty considerations: Look for campgrounds with gentle trails for younger hikers. Caroline G. comments on Boone Fork Campground: "The terrain is also flat and easy to hike through, making it a good long trail for beginners or children."

Swimming access: Safe water play areas rank high for family camping. Kylie B. describes Steele Creek's swimming holes as having "a couple small waterfalls to add to the ambience." Families with children should prioritize sites near gentle water entry points.

Supply planning: Remote locations require careful provision planning. Clementine K. warns about Mortimer Campground, "9 miles, minimum, of dirt roads getting in, so pack accordingly. Quick trips don't happen." Create a detailed packing list specific to remote camping needs.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV sites: The mountainous terrain restricts RV camping options. At Camper Mountain on Roaring Creek, Clover C. advises, "It's a bit of a drive out there with little to no cell service but wifi is available over the whole site!"

Water fill stations: Most campgrounds lack water hookups. Mandy R. explains about Blue Bear Mountain Camp: "They do not have water hookups- you fill your camper tank with water at the office area. They have spots with electric hookups. They have a dump station where you can empty your tanks on your way out."

Access challenges: Mountain roads present navigation issues for larger rigs. Kristen J. warns about Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there."

Electrical availability: Power options vary significantly between campgrounds. At Dark Ridge HideOut, Steve H. reports, "Curtis is the most gracious of hosts and is genuinely dedicated to providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience." Check with campground hosts about generator policies where hookups aren't available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Banner Elk for tent camping?

Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway is highly recommended, requiring a reservation and permit from the ranger station. While you'll need to hike about a mile to reach the sites, the effort rewards you with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets, and a water pump (seasonal availability). For groups, Briar Bottom Group Campground in Pisgah National Forest offers spacious sites that can accommodate families or friends, with some located close to the river. Both provide a peaceful experience away from crowds with excellent access to hiking trails.

Where can I find tent camping in Banner Elk, NC?

Banner Elk offers diverse tent camping options within a short drive. For a scenic experience, Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites provides multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek near the NC/TN/VA borders. For something unique, Self Sufficient Holler offers suspended tree tents surrounded by fireflies for a magical experience. Other nearby options include Plumtree Campground & Retreat, Camper Mountain on Roaring Creek, and Elk Knob State Park which all accommodate tent campers with varying amenities and access options.

When is the best season for tent camping in Banner Elk?

Late spring through early fall offers the most pleasant tent camping weather in Banner Elk, with summer (June-August) providing warm days and cool nights perfect for outdoor activities. For spectacular foliage, September through mid-October transforms the area with vibrant colors. Little River Backcountry Campground is particularly beautiful during these seasons with opportunities for rock hopping and swimming. Winter camping is possible but challenging—Mountaineer Campground remains accessible in milder winter periods but prepare for cold temperatures if camping during this season. Always check seasonal closures before planning your trip.

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