Dispersed camping near Claremont, North Carolina centers around Pisgah National Forest, where elevations range from 1,000 to 5,700 feet across heavily forested mountain terrain. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most sites have rocky or uneven terrain requiring careful tent placement, with fallen leaves often creating slippery conditions on access roads during autumn months.
What to do
Swimming and wading: Multiple sites along Steele Creek offer natural swimming opportunities with varying depths. One visitor noted, "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" at Steele Creek.
Hiking to waterfalls: The Upper Creek area provides access to several waterfalls within short hiking distance. According to a camper at Upper Creek, "There are numerous waterfalls to hike to, one of which is a short hike from the end of the road."
Fishing opportunities: Linville River contains rainbow and speckled trout for licensed anglers. One visitor at Linville Gorge Wilderness advised, "You may also be able to trout fish in Linville River if it's trout season and you're licensed... Most fall within the 8-12 inch range. Check bait restrictions. It's almost always no live bait allowed."
What campers like
Ridge-top views: Several sites along Old NC 105 feature elevated vistas overlooking valleys and mountains. A camper at Old NC 105 Dispersed reported, "Easy pull-in spots for cars and vans next to the road, several with great views of the valley and gorge. Most have primitive fire rings. Great cell service."
Stream sounds: Sites near moving water provide natural white noise for sleeping. One visitor to Upper Creek mentioned, "Camped right next to the upper creek. The state road was in good shape but steep narrow and lots of switch backs but well worth it."
Site separation: Many locations offer privacy between camping areas. A camper at Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping noted, "The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance... And there are spots tucked away a bit off of the road where you really don't notice trucks and cars driving by."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads require cautious driving and may be impassable after heavy rain. One visitor to Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping explained, "If you take your time and they are available there are a few spots on both sides of the road with wonderful views... in the middle it gets really rough would not recommend driving all the way through with out an SUV or better clearance and 4 wheel drive."
Site availability timing: Most desirable spots fill quickly on weekends, especially those with views or water access. Arrive before 5PM on Fridays. A camper reported, "I got here late, around 5 pm on Saturday, so I had difficulty finding a spot. There was lots of sites but they were all filled up."
Water sources: Bring sufficient water supplies as natural sources may be inaccessible. One visitor noted, "No camp sight that I could find had access to the river that runs along this road so make sure to bring plenty of bottled water."
Bug preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes are common in warmer months. A camper warned, "I did get eaten alive by mosquitos and I found a tick on my chair so be on the lookout."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Choose locations away from steep drops and fast-moving water. Campsites near Steele Creek often have gentler water access points suitable for supervised children.
Traffic awareness: Some sites sit close to forest roads with vehicle traffic. A visitor to National Forest Road/Steele Creek observed, "There's probably about 10 spots. There's a spot that outweighs the rest... Know that there is no signal when you are out there."
Wildlife preparation: Explain proper food storage and wildlife awareness to children before arriving. Multiple reviews mention wildlife activity, including bears in the area.
Emergency planning: Cell service varies significantly by location. Upper Creek generally has poor reception, while ridgetop sites on Old NC 105 typically maintain service. One camper confirmed, "Great cell service" at ridge-top locations.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most free camping areas near Claremont have few suitable spots for RVs. One visitor to Steele Creek noted, "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."
Vehicle clearance requirements: Roads to dispersed camping areas frequently have rough sections requiring higher clearance. A camper advised, "The terrain is definitely rough but cars, trucks and vans can get down there just not RVs."
Turnaround challenges: Many forest roads have limited space for larger vehicles to turn around. Plan for this limitation when choosing camping areas, especially along the narrower sections of Upper Creek and Steele Creek roads.
