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Best Campgrounds in North Carolina

5,018 Reviews

North Carolina's mountain-to-coast geography offers exceptional cabin camping opportunities within its diverse landscapes. Eight state parks feature cabin rentals, including Carolina Beach State Park and Stone Mountain State Park, both rated over 4.5 stars by visitors. Cabins range from rustic forest shelters to modern accommodations with full amenities, providing year-round options for those seeking an outdoor experience with more comfort than tent camping. Hanging Rock State Park Campground maintains cabins in a wooded setting with hiking trails, while Bear Den Family Campground offers cabin options near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Many cabins require reservations months in advance, particularly during peak summer and fall color seasons. Weather considerations vary dramatically across regions, with coastal cabins experiencing hurricane season concerns from June through November, while mountain cabins may have winter access challenges during snow events. Elevation differences create distinct seasonal experiences, with mountain cabins offering cooler summer temperatures than their coastal counterparts. "We stayed here for our girls getaway in Alice's Queen Cottage and Alice's White Bunny Cottage. It was the 'best weekend ever' according to the little girls and big girls alike! Every detail of our stay was truly magical," noted one visitor describing their cabin experience.

Cabin amenities typically include electricity, beds, and basic furnishings, though specifications vary significantly between locations. Most state park cabins provide heat and air conditioning, while private campgrounds often feature more luxurious appointments. Lake Powhatan near Asheville offers cabin rentals with convenient access to the city's attractions while maintaining a natural forest setting. Several campgrounds, including Davidson River in Pisgah National Forest, feature cabins with picnic tables, fire rings, and proximity to recreation areas. Many cabin sites incorporate accessibility features, though potential renters should verify specific accommodations before booking. Firewood availability varies by location, with some campgrounds providing bundled wood for purchase while others require visitors to bring their own heat source.

Campground Showdown in North Carolina

Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!

Spacious Skies Bear DenSpacious Skies Bear DenSpacious Skies Bear DenSpacious Skies Bear DenSpacious Skies Bear DenSpacious Skies Bear DenSpacious Skies Bear DenSpacious Skies Bear Den
Click to VoteCampground A
OR
Emberglow Outdoor ResortEmberglow Outdoor ResortEmberglow Outdoor ResortEmberglow Outdoor ResortEmberglow Outdoor ResortEmberglow Outdoor ResortEmberglow Outdoor ResortEmberglow Outdoor Resort
Click to VoteCampground B

Round 1 of 5

Best Camping Sites in North Carolina (1,050)

    1. Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    87 Reviews
    Nags Head, NC
    Website
    +1 (252) 441-6246

    $28 - $70 / night

    "Though we were caught camping in what seemed to be a very dramatic North Carolina storm we made the best of it. Good location all around, close to the ocean and cool towns nearby."

    "Oregon Inlet Campground is located on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is the first campground found on the island, very close to Nags Head, on the beach side of route 12."

    2. Davidson River Campground

    82 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $37 - $84 / night

    "We had a quick nights stay in Davidson River Campground after picking up our new SylvanSport GO tent trailer in nearby Brevard, North Carolina."

    "Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."

    3. Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    76 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-7770

    $27 - $75 / night

    "Carolina beach state park is one of my favorite places to go in North Carolina. Not only does it have an awesome campground, but it's right near one of the best beaches I've ever been to."

    "Had a great time camping and hiking around with my dog jinx. It was his first camping trip he seems to like it here as much as I did. be aware of the raccoons!!"

    4. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    68 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $37 - $135 / night

    "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."

    "PROS  Discounted camp fee with senior pass 

    Reserved 169 days prior to arriving 

    Friendly and helpful gate attendant 

    Nearly 100% shade at each site 

    Excellent dark sky viewing 

    Private sites with"

    5. Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    59 Reviews
    Ocracoke, NC
    Website
    +1 (252) 928-6671

    $28 / night

    "Paved, level parking pad on sandy grass sites tucked between the dunes and vegetation in Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the outer banks by of North Carolina."

    "We spontaneously added two days onto our beach camping vacation at Bear Island and took the Cedar Island Ferry to Ocracoke after being away from the island for 7 years. Ocracoke in itself is a gem."

    6. Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Website
    +1 (336) 957-8185

    $17 - $72 / night

    "But, ya know North Carolina summers."

    "The site also had a huge area for the picnic table and the fire ring is far away from your camper. There was a huge grassy area behind our site with a creek, lots of space for our dog."

    7. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    55 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park."

    "We only stayed for 1 night but really enjoyed the campgrounds proximity to activities on the North Carolina side of the park."

    8. Spacious Skies Bear Den

    52 Reviews
    Spruce Pine, NC
    Website
    +1 (828) 765-2888

    $24 - $999 / night

    "Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families."

    "Bear den was a perfect location for the Blue ridge parkway. We stayed at a two cabin lot that had a hot tub. Bear den has everything from RV camp sites to a game room."

    9. Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    53 Reviews
    New Hill, NC
    Website
    +1 (919) 362-0586

    $27 - $37 / night

    "Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina!"

    "Poplar Point is located on the banks of the lake in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area."

    10. Hanging Rock State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Danbury, NC
    Website
    +1 (336) 593-8480

    $27 - $110 / night

    "Hanging Rock is one of the best state parks in North Carolina."

    "Google Maps directions were inaccurate).At over 8,000 acres…offering trails of all length and difficultly level, multiple waterfalls, lake, scenic long views and picnic areas…it is no wonder it is claimed"

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Recent Camping Photos in North Carolina

2034 Photos of 1050 North Carolina Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

Recent Reviews in North Carolina

5018 Reviews of 1050 North Carolina Campgrounds

  • Nickie F.
    Sep. 30, 2026

    The Great Outdoors RV Resort

    Very nice

    This is our first time coming here. We booked online, which was simple The campground is very well kept. The sites aren’t any closer together than your average campground. It seems to me that the owners are conscientious about keeping everyone spaced out so you don’t have anyone right on top of you. (The campground was not full during our visit) The only con to this place is you don’t get to pick your site. It’s assigned to you. I will said that I asked specifically for a shady spot & they obliged me. (Very nice owners) Not all of the sites are level but hey, that’s was risers are for 🤷🏻‍♀️ We didn’t have any issues after a couple of well placed risers. Even though the highway is close you don’t notice the traffic noise. It’s very quiet at night. When you arrive & get checked in, someone escorts you to your site & helps get you backed in. They will pick up, fill & return your propane tanks. You just have to leave your tank @ the edge of your camp site. If you leave your trash at the edge of your site they pick it up for you. They will also deliver firewood as well as a fire pit if you don’t have one.

  • MThe Dyrt Pro User
    Sep. 28, 2026

    Old North Carolina 105 Road - Dispersed Spot

    Made it up with 22ft offroad travel trailer

    After much research I could not find anything about brining a travel trailer up Old NC 105. Everything told me not to. I detached my truck at the bottom and drove to the top. And found it was doable…. If you have the right setup.

    I have an ember overland 190msl and a Ram 2500 diesel. I made it up safely. Yes there were sketchy spots, but if you have a high clearance off road camper with independent suspension and enough truck.. you’re good to go. I did have to air down quite a bit (25psi) on the camper (30psi) on truck due to steep inclines with large rock step ups.

    But it is doable with the right setup.

  • Alisha S.
    Sep. 28, 2026

    Balsam Mountain Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    Simplistic campground in beautiful mountains

    This is a simple campground but it's set in beautiful alpine forest in high elevation.  It was the most quiet campground our family has been to.  We camped late September and the daytime weather was gorgeous but it got very cold as soon as the sun went down.  We loved our site in the tent only area.  The camp host was so friendly.

  • Justyne D.
    Sep. 26, 2026

    Dispersed Camping off Falls Dam Trail

    Large group sites surrounded by OHV activities

    This is/was marked as dispersed camping but this is primarily an OHV area, with a shooting range nearby that can be heard from some campsites. Most, if not all, of the campsites are intended to be large group sites. The empty site we found was filled with trash, discarded tents, air mattresses, and trashed electronics from OHVs. There's so much trash we would not even be able to take it all out with us if we wanted to. This may be a national forest, but it is not peace and quiet as one would expect from "dispersed and primitive" camping.

  • JThe Dyrt Pro User
    Sep. 25, 2026

    North Mills River

    Quiet campground

    Have camped here before. Very quiet campground.

  • Cole P.
    Sep. 21, 2026

    Rodanthe Watersports & Campground

    Relaxed sound-side stay

    Easy access to the sound, great rental gear pricing, beautiful campground with native plants and pollinators. Clean facilities. Mike at the office was friendly and accommodating

  • B
    Sep. 21, 2026

    Maddox Meadows RV Park

    Nice stopover

    We stayed here because it was right between Brevard and Hendersonville. It’s a small park with full hook ups, a picnic table, and a fire ring. A new bath house on site with laundry. The bath house was clean but I went in on arrival and no TP was available at 3PM, so not sure how often they service the bathrooms. We later found out the office is only open a couple days a week, and I’m not even sure which days. I did not see a host sign either so that leaves me to wonder how often also. The majority of the people seem to live there which gives the park a different vibe. No friendly hellos and no one out grilling or around a campfire. The sites were pretty level, and a decent size. No shade to speak of, and there is not much area to actually walk a dog. They have 2 fenced areas that are dog parks that were nice but not terribly large. One day, one tenant put his dog inside the dog area and left him there for a bit to just bark. I’m sure the owner was close by but was not inside the fence area. They advertise that the Ecrusta Trailbis directly behind the park. It is… but it hasn’t been updated yet in the project of making it extremely useable. It has large rocks currently covering the trail and my Labrador was very uncomfortable walking on it. There is an Ingles across the street which was very convenient. And the location is good. If you are looking for a clean convenient stop with full hook ups this will be a great find. But I don’t think we will visit again as we are outdoorsy people

  • Dre S.
    Sep. 21, 2026

    Sage Nesbitt Farm

    Wow!!!

    I actually stayed here last year!! Went through hip camp!! We stayed in a tent and it was so beautiful!! Got to see Asheville, some waterfalls and we went to the renaissance fair!! Wow the host were amazing at getting us anything we needed! Plenty of fire wood! I actually want to come back in the next month now that I’m seeing this again!

Guide to North Carolina

Camping in North Carolina offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, diverse campgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there's something for everyone.

What to do

What campers like

What you should know

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. One reviewer at Hagan-Stone Park mentioned, “Very nice playgrounds. Does cost and long waiting line at pool, but one of the best to just get away and relax.”
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Holly Point noted, “We were a short walk to the lake to fish and hang out near the water.”
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals and snacks. A family camping at Morrow Mountain State Park found it convenient, saying, “The sites are not too close together. Lots of hiking nearby.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Crosswinds Campground mentioned, “Each site has water and electric hook-up. Sewer however is a dump station.”
  • Use Dump Stations Wisely: Plan your trips to the dump station to avoid long waits. A visitor at Moccasin Branch said, “The RV campground is well spaced and has full hookup.”
  • Stay Connected: Some areas may have limited cell service. A reviewer at Rolling View noted, “Cell/Internet coverage is non-existent, unless you can get to a high Vista lookout.”

Camping in North Carolina has its quirks, but with the right preparation, you can have a fantastic time exploring the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best season for camping in North Carolina?

Fall (September-November) is widely considered the prime camping season in North Carolina, offering comfortable temperatures, stunning foliage, and fewer crowds. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park showcases spectacular autumn colors while providing a perfect base to explore the less crowded North Carolina side of the park. Spring (April-May) brings beautiful wildflowers, though occasional rain showers occur. Summer camping at Bullocksville Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area offers excellent water recreation opportunities, though humidity can be high. Winter camping is possible in many lower-elevation areas, particularly along the coast, but mountain campgrounds often close seasonally. Always check specific campground availability as schedules vary by location and elevation.

What are the most scenic mountain camping destinations in North Carolina?

North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains host some of the most breathtaking camping destinations in the eastern United States. Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area offers a slice of nature paradise with scenic views and tranquil surroundings. Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore provides dramatic coastal mountain vistas where you can camp near both ocean and mountains. Stone Mountain State Park features impressive granite domes and cascading waterfalls surrounded by mountain vistas. Davidson River Campground in Pisgah National Forest offers stream-side camping amid lush forests with access to numerous scenic trails. Throughout the western part of the state, the Blue Ridge Parkway provides access to multiple scenic camping areas with spectacular mountain panoramas and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.

What are the best camping spots in North Carolina for outdoor enthusiasts?

North Carolina offers exceptional options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure. Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area stands out with outstanding water access and recreational opportunities. For mountain biking and water sports enthusiasts, Jackrabbit Mountain provides direct access to biking trails and Lake Chatuge for paddleboarding right from lakeside sites. Other excellent options include Stone Mountain State Park for hiking and climbing, Davidson River Campground for fishing and forest exploration, and the Great Smoky Mountains campgrounds for immersive wilderness experiences. These destinations offer varied terrain from coastal settings to mountain vistas, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling, fishing, and wildlife viewing throughout the state.

Where can I find private campgrounds in North Carolina with full amenities?

Indian Creek Campground offers some of the most relaxing creekside camping in North Carolina with full amenities. Each site is private, lush with greenery, and well-maintained. The campground features exceptionally clean bathhouses and a well-stocked camp store for necessities. Asheville East KOA provides comprehensive amenities with full hookups, clean facilities, and easy access to Asheville attractions. Other private options include Catawba Falls Campground (temporarily closed for 2025) near Asheville and various coastal KOAs. Many private campgrounds offer amenities such as full hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, swimming pools, game rooms, and organized activities, though rates are typically higher than public campgrounds.

Keep Exploring

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