Dispersed camping near Creston, North Carolina places visitors in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains where elevations range from 3,000-5,000 feet throughout the surrounding wilderness areas. Temperature variations can be significant with evening temperatures dropping 15-20°F lower than daytime highs, even in summer months. Forest roads accessing these primitive sites often become impassable after heavy rainfall, particularly in spring.
What to do
Hiking at Pisgah National Forest: Upper Creek area offers multiple streamside hiking opportunities. The forest service road leads to multiple waterfalls accessible via short hikes. "There are numerous waterfalls to hike to, one of which is a short hike from the end of the road," notes a camper at Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NC.
Stargazing on mountain balds: Clear nights at higher elevations provide exceptional stargazing conditions. "Watching the sunset was spectacular, then being able to star gaze," explains one camper who stayed at Whitetop Mountain. The lack of light pollution creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Creek fishing: Numerous mountain streams contain native trout populations. A visitor camping near Linville Gorge mentioned, "You may also be able to trout fish in Linville River if it's trout season and you're licensed. Speckled and Rainbow trout are beautiful in this area. Most fall within the 8-12 inch range."
Scenic drives: Forest roads provide access to viewpoints across multiple states. The drive to Scales Trailhead Basecamp takes about 45 minutes from the main road but rewards visitors with panoramic views. "The campground itself is great! It's right on the AT, so there are lots of through hikers that you'll see stop in for a night. That also means that there's lots of great hiking options!"
What campers like
Solitude during weekdays: Many dispersed campsites see minimal traffic Monday-Thursday. "I went during the week and had the entire area to myself," reports a camper at Upper Creek in Pisgah. Some roads become busier on weekends when "traffic wasn't bad through the week but weekend it was busy."
Creek-side sites: Camping alongside running water provides both practical benefits and ambiance. At Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites, "Coordinates take you right to the site and there's a small gravel road you can pull into... It's a nice spot with some flat areas to put a tent if you don't mind being close to the road."
Above-cloud experiences: Higher elevation sites sometimes rise above cloud cover. A camper at Whitetop Mountain described, "As we're getting ready to head out for the day, all of a sudden the sun came out and we were ABOVE THE CLOUDS. It was absolutely stunning."
Established fire rings: Most dispersed sites feature existing stone fire rings. At Old NC 105 dispersed camping, "There's no signs that this is a campsite at all other than the fire pits, but the sites were tucked away and you could pull your car right up to them."
What you should know
Weather variability: High elevation sites experience extreme conditions. At Grassy Ridge Bald, "Super windy so dress appropriately!" Similarly, at Whitetop Mountain, a camper warned "The wind is killer. Very little Verizon and AT&T signal."
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly by season and recent weather. For Old NC 105, "You have to travel at least 3.5mi on a dirt road (if you're coming from the south) which can be annoying, but the sites are visible from the road." Some sites require specialized vehicles: "The road to Scales is...rocky. High clearance 4wd needed. Not ADV friendly, unless you're very adventurous."
Site selection: Arrive early for prime locations. A camper at Old NC 105 noted, "We drove pretty far in from the start thinking maybe not so many people would be there but we were wrong. The views in some areas are great but not that many good camping sites with good views."
Pack out trash: Campers frequently mention cleaning up after others. One visitor reported spending "an hour cleaning the entire campground" at a Washington & Jefferson site. Multiple reviewers mention trash issues at Old NC 105, with one noting some sites had "trash and glass."
Tips for camping with families
Water access points: Sites adjacent to shallow streams provide natural entertainment. At Upper Creek, one camper shared, "Spent two nights here at a site right next to the creek, which was awesome listening to the running water as you fall asleep."
Weekend noise levels: Some areas become social gathering spots Friday-Sunday. At Upper Creek, a camper noted, "The next site up had over 25 cars and they were partying pretty loud. Fortunately they did quiet down at a decent time."
Site privacy: Road proximity affects the camping experience. At Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping, "3 stars because of the proximity of the campsites to the road, as well as many of the campsites needing to be picked up after the last campers."
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active throughout the region. Practice proper food storage. A camper at Old NC 105 mentioned, "One car even yelled at us telling us there was a bear just to be funny and scare us."
Tips for RVers
Pull-off width: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. At Upper Creek, "There are multiple sites along the service road and not too close to each other. Easy to get to, just a forest service road."
Road clearance requirements: Many forest service roads have significant ruts and washouts. An Upper Creek camper noted, "A 4x4 makes it easy but there were minivans and junkyard beaters driving by."
Multi-vehicle considerations: Some sites can accommodate multiple vehicles. At Linville Gorge, "We found a big spot but it was right next to the road (most of the campsites were), but it was still quiet enough - only one car that drove by at night."
