15 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent camping near Connelly Springs, North Carolina centers around South Mountains State Park, which offers several backcountry tent campgrounds within its 20,000 acres of rugged terrain. Little River Backcountry Campground and Upper Falls Backcountry Campground provide tent-only sites nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mortimer Campground in the nearby National Forests of North Carolina offers additional tent camping options approximately 25 miles northwest of Connelly Springs. These primitive tent camping areas provide access to numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, and mountain streams.
Most backcountry tent sites in South Mountains State Park require a hike of 1-1.5 miles to reach the campgrounds. Little River Backcountry Campground features a 1.5-mile hike with approximately 600 feet of elevation gain from the Jacob Fork parking area. Bear boxes are provided at most sites for secure food storage, as black bears are present in the region. Pit toilets are available, but no running water exists at the campsites. Water sources are typically located 0.6 miles from the Little River sites and must be filtered. Fires are permitted in designated fire rings, though firewood is not provided at backcountry locations. Campers should bring a portable water filter and be prepared for variable mountain weather conditions.
The walk-in tent sites offer a more secluded camping experience compared to developed campgrounds. According to reviews, "The backcountry campsites were quiet and well-kept" even during busy holiday weekends when day-use areas see heavy traffic. The four sites at Little River are well-spaced for privacy, with the exception of site 1 which sits close to the entrance trail. Jacob Branch area features three tent sites arranged around a clearing with two pit privies and a bear box. Campers note that the tent pads can be challenging due to roots, hardpan earth, and slopes, but suitable spots can be found. For those seeking primitive tent camping with access to hiking, South Mountains State Park trails are described as "broad and very hilly in places," making trekking poles advisable for steep sections.
"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
"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."
from $20 - $30 / night
from $17 / night
"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."
"Site 3&4 are my favorites because they are close to water access (bring a good filter). Plenty of trees to choose from for a hammock setup."
from $15 / night
"I needed some lake time and it didn't disappoint! The campground is a 2-minute drive (6-minute bike ride) down to the beach and there is a huge swimming area there."
"We visited the Paddy Creek campground at Lake James last year. The campsite was impeccably maintained with the cleanest bath/shower house I have ever experienced camping."
from $27 / night
"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."
"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."
from $25 - $136 / night
"Excellent campground there’s ice and firewood so you don’t have to make special trips to the nearest convenience store. They charge it directly to your card. The host was wonderful."
"This is a brand new tent and cabin campground built by Duke Energy and run by McDowell county on Lake James."
from $21 - $36 / night
GuideDriving 14 1/2 hrs I was cooked called and had the most easiest booking. There was a sites available so I booked it. Needless to say I got there in the dark and a kind person helped me to my site and got me backed in. Soo exhausted I hooked up electric only hit the bed passed out
ScoutLet 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
ScoutMy 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?"
GuideSeems 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.
ScoutWe 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
ScoutOur 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.
TravelerIt’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.
TravelerNice spot right on the river..Camp store & staff seem friendly & helpful-especially Sonny & Joshua.
GuideTight fit, we stayed here with our 20ft trailer and it is a little tight. The site was at a slight angle and I noticed a lot of sites are the same way. Plus side is there is a security gate with code entry. Easy access to lake. Good clean boathouse and nice full hookups.
Tent camping in Connelly Springs, North Carolina offers primitive camping experiences at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 feet in the Pisgah National Forest and state park lands. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 85°F during the day, dropping to 60°F at night. Creek-side camping options typically require water filtration systems rated for giardia protection, as natural water sources contain microorganisms common to southern Appalachian watersheds.
Swimming at creek access points: In the Wilson Creek area near Mortimer Campground, visitors find multiple swimming spots. "There is a spot nearby where a lot of people like to float on tubes kind of like a lazy river type thing," notes one camper who adds, "My family and tried swimming at the base of Thorp's Creek Falls here, but the cray fish chased us out."
Hiking to accessible waterfalls: A half-mile round trip trail leads to waterfalls directly from Steele Creek campsites. "This area is beautiful and pure peace compared to the others in the area," writes one camper who particularly enjoyed "the creek, it is a great spot to swim so we are excited about that...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."
Fishing in mountain streams: Fishing opportunities exist throughout the camping areas around Connelly Springs. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, one visitor 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."
Privacy between sites: The spacing between camping spots varies significantly across the region. At Little River Backcountry Campground, "The four sites were well-spaced so we did not see other campers, with the exception of site 1 which is right off the entrance trail."
Cool mountain temperatures: Higher elevation camping offers relief from summer heat. One camper at Blue Bear Mountain Camp appreciated that "The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," specifically noting temperatures of "70-80 in July!"
Clean bathhouses: When available, well-maintained facilities receive positive attention. At Black Bear Campground, campers note "The restrooms are in immaculate condition" and another mentions "They have clean bathrooms and individual showers."
Road conditions to remote sites: Many primitive camping areas require driving on unpaved roads. At Steele Creek, "The road is pretty well maintained other than a few spots that you have to crawl through on the corners specifically. I drive a Toyota Camry that sits fairly low and I made it fine."
Wildlife presence: Camping in this region means sharing space with local wildlife. Ticks and mosquitoes are common at lower elevations. One camper at Steele Creek reports, "I did get eaten alive by mosquitos and I found a tick on my chair so be on the lookout."
Water filtration requirements: Access to potable water varies by location. For most backcountry sites, campers must filter creek water. At Little River Backcountry Campground, one visitor notes 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."
Look for shorter hiking options: Some backcountry sites offer easier access for families with children. At Shinny Creek, one reviewer describes it as the "Perfect trip if you have kids…or just want something close by. It's only a bit over a mile to these four sites nestled by a stream. Clear, flat sites. Bear box. Critter-proof trash bin. Pit privy. Water access from every site within ten paces."
Consider trekking poles for steep trails: Many trails in the South Mountains area feature significant elevation changes. Trails are described as "broad and veeeeeery hilly in places. If your knees complain, bring the trekking poles. You'll thank me."
Check swimming area proximity: Sites near water features provide natural entertainment. At Mortimer Campground, one camper notes "There are trails and even a waterfall within half a mile from camp. Very peaceful place."
Limited RV options available: Most camping around Connelly Springs is tent-focused with few RV accommodations. At Black Bear Campground, "All sites have tent pads and 2 parking spots. Many of the sites are a short walk from the car which affords privacy."
No hookups at many sites: Even campgrounds that accommodate smaller RVs often lack amenities. At Steele Creek, "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."
Road access limitations: Mountain roads present challenges for larger vehicles. At 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Connelly Springs, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Connelly Springs, NC is Little River Backcountry Campground — South Mountains State Park with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Connelly Springs, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 tent camping locations near Connelly Springs, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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