B
Brandi M.
Scout
ScoutThree Peaks RV Resort
Absolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
Camping near Connelly Springs, NC
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Camping near Connelly Springs ranges from developed RV parks and cabin rentals to primitive dispersed sites along the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. South Mountains State Park Family Campground offers developed sites with both tent and RV accommodations, while nearby Old NC 105 features dispersed camping options for those seeking more primitive experiences. The region includes several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including Thousand Trails Green Mountain in Lenoir and Spacious Skies Bear Den, which provide amenities ranging from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spots and cabin rentals. Most camping areas sit between 1,500-3,500 feet elevation, creating varied microclimates throughout the camping season.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with many developed campgrounds operating on limited schedules. Julian Price Park Campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway operates from April through late October, while South Mountains State Park maintains year-round access. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures can drop significantly at higher elevations. Road conditions vary considerably, with dispersed sites along Old NC 105 requiring higher clearance vehicles in some sections. Cell service remains spotty throughout much of the area, particularly in valley campgrounds and along forest roads. A visitor noted, "Old NC 105 is all dirt and gravel and can get a little rough. It's much easier with a 4WD vehicle, but we saw sedans and minivans driving it."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with several campgrounds offering sites along creeks and rivers. Steele Creek Park & Campground in Morganton provides electric hookups and water access, while dispersed sites along Old NC 105 offer more secluded experiences with mountain views. The Blue Ridge Parkway corridor contains several highly-rated campgrounds, including Julian Price Park which features lakeside camping and boat rentals. Campers frequently mention the region's proximity to hiking trails and waterfalls as major draws. Reviews indicate that campgrounds closer to the Blue Ridge Parkway tend to fill quickly during peak season, especially on weekends. One camper reported that "About 5 camping spots along the road have breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, hills and valleys. Those spots are obviously the first to go, so come early or on a weekday."
Best Campgrounds near Connelly Springs (234)
1. South Mountains State Park Family Campground
"The family campground is a short distance further inside the park on the left side(approx 2 miles) marked by a small brown sign...and is situated at 1400 ft elevation. "
"This campground is one way and exits into a trailhead parking area. There was one site that was in the parking area, would not be my first choice. Shaded sites with picnic tables and fire rings."
from $27 - $32 / night
Check Availability2. Thousand Trails Green Mountain
"We had a deck at our site which was a but problematic due to our steps folding out, it took some finagling and leveling to get it to where we could close our door."
"This is our first time ever camping and this place feels like home away from home and everyone here is very friendly."
3. Indian Springs Campground
"We were looking for someplace to stay near Hickory and we stumbled upon Indian Springs. "
"This place is tucked away near a river, plenty of indoor and outdoor activities, plus a nice laundromat. One of the quietest RV parks I've ever been to!"
4. Spacious Skies Bear Den
"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."
from $24 - $999 / night
Check Availability5. Steele Creek Park & Campground
"The close proximity to Linville Falls, Blowing Rock and the Blue Ridge Parkway was perfect. We will definitely be back to explore the area more."
"Friends of my went and paddled the Wilson Gorge close by. Tubed down the river, just plenty to do for a weekend trip."
6. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
"Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied."
"This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding."
from $30 / night
Check Availability7. Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping
"This was our first stop on our first trip to North Carolina and now we don’t want to leave!"
"The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am)."
8. Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NC
"Spent two nights here at a site right next to the creek, which was awesome listening to the running water as you fall asleep. Easy to get to, just a forest service road."
"Big space, right next to the creek. All I heard was the water and some faint crickets hanging on in November. Best part, No highway sound! A couple hunters drove by, no one else was there."
9. Brown Mountain Roadside Campsites
"We stayed here for 12 days in the very first spot on the right , it was the most secluded and we had a bar of service near/ at the picnic table. We enjoyed our stay."
"One caveat: there is a relatively narrow turn near the top of the lot, past the camping sites, that would be difficult for larger RVs."
10. Little River Backcountry Campground — South Mountains State Park
"Jacob Branch: Three sites arranged around a clearing. Two pit privies and a BEAR BOX! Woot!!"
"The hikes near the falls were quite busy on Memorial Day weekend, but the backcountry campsites were quiet and well-kept."
from $17 / night
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Drive Time
- 55 min from Asheville, NC
- 1 hr from Charlotte, NC
- 1 hr 28 min from Spartanburg, SC
Recent Camping Photos near Connelly Springs, NC
508 Photos of 234 Connelly Springs Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
The River CampJ
South Mountains State Park Family Campground
Little River Backcountry Campground — South Mountains State ParkD
Thousand Trails Green Mountain
Brown Mountain Roadside Campsites
Rose Creek RetreatT
Rose Creek Family CampgroundR
Upper Falls Campsite
Steele Creek Park & Campground
Boone Fork Campground
Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NCR
Grand View Campground & RV Park
Recent Reviews near Connelly Springs, NC
1178 Reviews of 234 Connelly Springs Campgrounds
Windy W.ScoutDoe River Landing
Beautiful Place, Ugly host, Oct 2026
Let me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
Bonnie H.ScoutDoe River Landing
Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate
My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
- S
Sherri B.
GuideSpacious Skies Bear Den
Seems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.
Kyle T.ScoutDoe River Landing
Unprofessional hosts that ruins a place with good potential
We brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back
- AAndrew W.Scout
Doe River Landing
Beautiful place ruined by unprofessional ownership
Our group of about 20 rented nearly every cabin at Doe River Landing for my friend's wedding weekend, with the reception held on site. The cabins were nice and well-equipped, and the only other guests were in a cabin half a mile away through the woods. Unfortunately, the hosts ruined the stay. One night, some of us were playing hide and seek in an area that wasn't blocked off or against any rule. The host's husband came speeding in at roughly 30 mph(the posted limit is 5), jumped out of his truck screaming that he"will not have child hooligans running around the campground," told us to"go back to the motel we crawled out of," and demanded to see our parents— despite all of us being adults in our twenties. He then peeled out so aggressively he sprayed gravel at us and our cars. It wasn't even quiet hours, and we weren't disturbing anyone. Afterward, the host called us again, passive-aggressive, and questioned our ages— even though you have to be 21 just to rent a cabin there. The property is lovely, but the hosts' behavior put a real damper on what should have been a joyful wedding celebration. It's a shame they treat people paying good money this way. We won't be back.
- MMissie M.
TravelerJohn H. Moss Lake Campground
It’s a small, clean campground but we are next to a busy road (site 28) and also the entrance to the public access of Moss Lake. It’s a tight squeeze for us as a 33’ fifth wheel.
Lisa & Patrick R.TravelerBuck Creek
Buck Creek Campground review
Nice spot right on the river..Camp store & staff seem friendly & helpful-especially Sonny & Joshua.
Selina G.ScoutBroad River Campground
Beware!
If you ever plan on visiting Shelby / Broad River KOA Holiday Campground and have women or kids in your party, and y'all rent a unit from them, I'd rethink it or keep the door locked at all times. Our visit was wonderful up until the point a maintenance worker walks straight up in here on us.
Guide to Connelly Springs
Dispersed camping near Connelly Springs, North Carolina takes place along forest service roads and undeveloped areas within Pisgah National Forest. Most primitive camping spots require a short drive on unpaved roads, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,800 feet creating distinct temperature differences between valley and ridge sites. Old NC 105 offers free dispersed camping with varying degrees of site development depending on previous camper maintenance.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 1-3 miles from camp: South Mountains State Park features an 80-foot waterfall accessible via hiking trails near the family campground. A visitor notes: "I searched 'best waterfalls in NC' and this park did not disappoint. We stayed for 3 nights- family campsite (sites 6-9 are best IMO) was used as basecamp. We also had a primitive site that we backpacked to for a night." (South Mountains State Park Family Campground)
Fishing in stocked waters: Julian Price Park Campground provides lake fishing with boat rentals available during summer months. The lake is hatchery supported, making it ideal for casual anglers. "Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied."
Mountain biking on designated trails: The region offers approximately 16.5 miles of mountain bike trails that intermix with hiking routes. At Bear Den, "The campground is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains...so beautiful! Quiet campground with hiking trails, small fishing lake, playgrounds, an arcade room, and camp store. One of the hiking trails leads to a waterfall."
What campers like
Creek access from campsites: Several campgrounds feature streamside sites that provide natural water features and ambient sounds. At Steele Creek Park, "A lot of the sites have water beside them. Bathrooms were clean. There is a store on property that has things you may have forgotten and a grill." (Steele Creek Park & Campground)
Remote camping with mountain views: Along Old NC 105, dispersed sites offer views of Table Rock Mountain and the surrounding valleys. One camper explains: "About 5 camping spots along the road have breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, hills and valleys. We headed up the road from Lake James to find this stunning view down into the gorge from our site." (Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping)
Proximity to Blue Ridge Parkway: Several campgrounds provide easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway's scenic drives and overlooks. "Being right on the Parkway was awesome and provided some great driving and hiking close by. The staff were very helpful. We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November."
What you should know
Water access varies by site type: Developed campgrounds provide potable water, while dispersed sites require you to bring your own. At Indian Springs Campground, "The closest water source is a creek 0.6 miles (1.2 miles round trip) away- filter it- the walk back to camp is a steep uphill."
Seasonal road conditions: Access roads to dispersed sites can deteriorate after rain. For Old NC 105, a camper reports: "The dirt road goes for about 13 miles. Would recommend a 4x4, but I've seen all kinds of vehicles travel the entire road from minivans to Honda accords."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically based on elevation and terrain. South Mountains State Park has "NO cell service which is a big draw for us. Far from a town, so don't forget anything. Rangers are helpful and will bring firewood (charge for the wood)." (Linville Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway)
Tips for camping with families
Sites near playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Bear Den, "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30pm. May be different in the Summer. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site."
Bathroom access considerations: Developed campgrounds have varying bathroom facilities. One camper at South Mountains notes: "Bath facilities are new and kept clean. Very quiet with NO cell service which is a big draw for us."
Weekend vs. weekday crowds: Peak season weekends can be difficult to secure spots, especially at popular locations. "We camped from mid-September and had a great time. These are the cleanest bathrooms we've ever seen. The on-site store is a life saver and the hosts are very helpful."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: RV sites with electrical connections are limited in the immediate area, so reservations are essential. At Thousand Trails Green Mountain, "We spent 14 nights here Oct 2020. Not one day where we disappointed. Beautiful park with full hook ups. People here where super friends and there are people working on the park keeping it clean everyday." (Thousand Trails Green Mountain)
Campsite terrain assessment: Many sites require careful positioning due to uneven terrain. A visitor to Indian Springs explains: "The site was fairly level, and the electric, water & sewer were well maintained and easy to access. Verizon cell service was excellent because there is a tower close-by."
Access road considerations: Roads to some camping spots near Connelly Springs require careful navigation. "If you can handle driving up and down the gravel road, you will love this campground. It is definitely a hidden gem, and one of the best experiences we have had."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Connelly Springs, NC?
What camping is available near Connelly Springs, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Connelly Springs, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 234 campgrounds and RV parks near Connelly Springs, NC and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Connelly Springs, NC?
Which is the most popular campground near Connelly Springs, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Connelly Springs, NC is South Mountains State Park Family Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Connelly Springs, NC?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Connelly Springs, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Connelly Springs, NC.
What parks are near Connelly Springs, NC?
What parks are near Connelly Springs, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 parks near Connelly Springs, NC that allow camping, notably W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir and Pisgah National Forest.
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