1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent camping opportunities near Culberson, North Carolina include several established sites within the Cherokee National Forest and nearby areas along the Tennessee and Georgia borders. Lost Creek Campground, a dispersed camping area in the Cherokee National Forest, provides tent campsites with basic amenities including concrete picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Unique shelter options are also available in the North Carolina foothills for hikers along the Appalachian Trail.
Most tent campsites in the region feature natural terrain with minimally developed sites on dirt or forest floor. Walk-in tent locations vary in accessibility, with some requiring short hikes while others allow vehicles near the tent pad. Facilities are typically primitive - vault toilets are common at established campgrounds, but running water is rare. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, particularly during dry summer months. Visitors should note that many backcountry areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system in place. The Hiwassee River area offers tent-specific sites with picnic tables and fire rings, though amenities remain basic.
Tent campers frequently use these sites as bases for hiking along nearby trail networks, including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Creek access is a notable feature at several campgrounds, providing both scenic value and practical water sources (requiring filtration). The region's heavily forested terrain offers natural shade at most tent sites, creating comfortable camping even during warmer months. Sites located farther from main roads provide deeper seclusion and quieter camping experiences. A review from Lost Creek Campground mentioned that "All you hear is the river at night. No cell service and it's first come first served for a spot." Another visitor noted that "Some sites have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish."
"As an Eagle Scout from around this area, this was our go-to place for summer camp and occasional other camping trips as well."
from $10 - $25 / night
"Just the structure built on top of a wood platform with screen mesh to help control bugs. There are nice, cushy mattresses to lay down on."
"With 12 acres of woodland and the freedom to pitch a tent anywhere (provided you honor LNT principals about where to set up camp!)"
"Absolutely beautiful location! Directions were easy to follow. I followed my google maps until we got to hwy 60 and then used the given directions."
from $35 / night
from $52 / night
"It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest, with easy creek access (some sites are right beside the creek), and the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside"
"We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."
"The state park/campground adjoins the Cherokee National Forest and sits on the north bank of the Hiwassee River outside of Benton, TN."
"Very nice campground with large tent sites with fairly level ground capable of sitting 2 or 3 tents. Most have mature trees to hang hammocks. Very quiet during weekdays."
Available this weekend
"I’ve camped at this location multiple times and each time was better than the last. It feels like a very primitive spot with the ease of car camping."
"Its on one one of the most scenic highways and s in a great location if you want to venture into Helen, Brasstown, Bald, or Hiawassee."
"We didn't stay in the shelter and instead set up our tent near an overlook nearby. Perfect place for sunrise and sunset."
"While most AT shelters have a bathroom nearby, this one doesn't. Also there isn't any water available."
"One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup. Water spigots throughout the campground but not directly at each site. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring."
"This is a popular location for the regional university students so expect a bit of a hootenanny to surround and welcome you."
"We're happy to welcome this host to our platform. This site is private and heavily forested with a fully equipped kitchenette. Book them today and come back here to leave them some love."
from $88 - $95 / night
ScoutI camped here with a friend last weekend and absolutely loved this place! It's a cute little site with a great host, clean bathrooms, free firewood, and super friendly dogs, goats, and people. I would for sure stay here again and recommend.
GuideParksville Lake RV Campground is an absolute gem! I had a fantastic stay here. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the sites are nice, spacious, and wonderfully shaded by the trees. We loved the layout of the RV loop, especially the outer section where a peaceful creek flows right past the sites—the sound of the water at night was perfect. The restrooms and showers were exceptionally clean and well-kept. I had Starlink connectivity at my site and my WeBoost cell signal booster gave me up to three bars on AT&T. The campground host was incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. It's a wonderful, relaxing spot, and I will definitely be back!
ScoutWe stayed for a week in late October. Quiet and secluded but right outside of Franklin. Very. Nicely decorated. Has small campstore, very nice laundryroom, and a guest event center. Rick, the campsite host, helped me get backed in and asked if I needed any more help. Some pull-throughs. Some sites are a little tight but others really nice. We will definitely come back.
ScoutWhatever person or group of persons designed the campground were clueless as to how to develop a campground. Sites are packed in the most preposterous configuration to have tents, trailers motorhomes all jammed together nearly touching each other with zero privacy. Come for the hikes and views of the gorge but come with the lowest expectations for the campground and you’ll be fine
GuideA sign on the gate says that the area has been closed "due to vandalism and unauthorized activity".
GuideThis is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
ScoutWalk to trail sites, clean bathrooms, sites close together…water and electric at site. Sites are sloped gravel.
ScoutBeautiful Campground, but Absolutely NOT Family-Friendly! I rarely leave negative reviews this strongly, but our experience at Turkey Creek Campground was so disappointing that I feel compelled to warn other families. First, I’ll give credit where it’s due. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the creekside sites are incredibly peaceful and serene. It’s a lovely setting, and during the day, the owner is friendly enough and seemingly hospitable. Unfortunately, the hospitality comes to a screeching halt the moment the clock strikes 10 PM.
We were two families camping together with six well-behaved kids who absolutely love the outdoors. We understand and respect campground quiet hours. We weren’t looking to throw parties, blast music, or disturb anyone. But apparently, at Turkey Creek,“quiet hours” doesn’t mean keeping noise to a respectful minimum. It means absolute silence, complete darkness, and seemingly no normal human activity whatsoever.
I’m not exaggerating.
* We were told to turn off ALL our lights at 10 PM.
* We were confronted for opening our vehicle’s trunk because it made a brief beeping sound.
* Our children were startled by a large spider near the bathhouse, and the owner actually yelled at them to be quiet.
* One evening around 11 PM, we were talking quietly INSIDE OUR OWN TENT, barely above a whisper, when the owner approached our tent door to reprimand us for talking.
* On another occasion, he approached us to complain that our children had left TWO STICKS on the ground near the bathrooms. Two sticks! At a campground surrounded by woods, where the kids had just walked down a wooded trail to reach the bathhouse!
And don’t even think about enjoying a little background music while sitting around your campsite. Music of any kind played through a speaker is prohibited, regardless of volume. Apparently, even a little John Denver played quietly while enjoying the mountains is too much to ask. I fully appreciate that some people camp specifically for peace and quiet. We respect that, too. But there is a massive difference between enforcing reasonable quiet hours and making paying guests feel like they’re constantly being watched, monitored, and reprimanded for simply existing. The owner’s enforcement of these rules felt excessive, confrontational, and completely out of proportion to what was actually happening.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying our family vacation, we found ourselves walking on eggshells, worried that the smallest sound, light, or ordinary childhood behavior would result in another confrontation. What makes this particularly frustrating is that our kids were doing exactly what we’d hope children would do on a camping trip: spending time outside, exploring nature, enjoying each other’s company, and making memories away from screens. Yet somehow, even that seemed unwelcome. If we hadn’t already paid for five nights, we would have packed up and left after the very first night. That’s how uncomfortable the experience became.
If you are someone who wants a meticulously maintained campground where everyone retires to complete silence and darkness by 10 PM, Turkey Creek might be perfect for you. But if you’re a family hoping to enjoy a campfire, share some laughs, quietly socialize in the evening, and let your children experience the simple joys of camping, I cannot recommend this place strongly enough AGAINST it.
There are so many beautiful campgrounds in this area, and I cannot imagine choosing to return somewhere that made our families feel so unwelcome. Beautiful property. Extremely disappointing hospitality. Absolutely terrible experience for families. We will never return.
ScoutCalled the day of to ask if we could camp and set up after hours for that day and the next the lady told me yes i could pay in the morning i got here set up that night woke up around 8 am to go pay and reserve my campsite for the day and she told me they were booked even though she had told me the day before she had plenty of campsites. Then tried to tell me the only one she had was a $75 site for 4 people which is absolutely insane. She made snarky remarks and was overall incompetent in making sure the guests receive the right information the first time. Absolutely zero care that we set up not even 12 hours before to make us take it down and leave.
Tent camping near Culberson, North Carolina provides primitive backcountry experiences in the mountainous terrain where North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia converge. Sites range from established areas to dispersed wilderness camping, with elevations between 1,400-3,000 feet creating variable temperature conditions. The Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers offer natural boundaries and recreation opportunities while the Cherokee National Forest provides much of the camping terrain.
Creek exploration: Several campsites at Toccoa River Cove feature direct access to water for swimming and wading. One visitor noted, "We did hear some people in the woods on one side... not sure if it's someone's house or another rental. Wasn't loud but was noticeable when walking the trail and we did hear a car alarm at our tent." The property includes "a spring, creek, an outhouse, and a covered shelter" perfect for extended stays.
Hiking nearby trails: The Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail offers a challenging hiking experience with significant elevation gain. A camper described, "We hiked up to Blood Mountain from the Byron Reese Trailhead. We didn't stay in the shelter and instead set up our tent near an overlook nearby. Perfect place for sunrise and sunset." The area features large flat rocks and boulder scrambles.
Fishing opportunities: Many camping areas have stocked fishing ponds or natural waterways. At Henson Cove Private Campground, a reviewer mentioned a "Giant stocked pond to fish in" on nearly 200 acres of family-owned land. Local streams also provide fishing opportunities, particularly in early mornings before water releases from dams change water levels and currents.
Natural water features: Campers consistently mention creek and river access as highlights of the area. At Lost Creek Campground, a visitor described it as "Your classic primitive campground. No generators, water, or porta potties. How camping in the forest should be!" Another noted, "We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived."
Privacy and seclusion: Many campsites offer isolation despite their accessibility. One camper at Raven Cliff Falls explained, "We camped here in June with a group of our close friends. It was a bit humid and warm, which is no surprise for a North Georgia summer, but still well worth the peace and relaxation. Our spot was about a quarter mile from the parking area."
Dark night skies: The remote nature of camping near Culberson means minimal light pollution. A camper at Toccoa River Cove described, "The area is very nice, with only the occasional car going by, and even then the road is not right next to the property." Many sites have no cellular service, creating a true disconnect from urban environments.
Bear activity: This is active bear country and proper food storage is essential. A reviewer at Hiwassee River Area advised, "If you're not down with everyone having a good time, choose the Forest Service Primitive sites just up the road a piece." Bear-resistant containers or proper hanging techniques are necessary at all sites.
Seasonal water flow: River and creek levels can change dramatically based on dam releases and rainfall. One camper noted, "We overlooked the Hiwassee on campsite 43. The river is smooth until 11am. We went fly fishing right from the campsite. The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly."
Limited facilities: Most sites offer minimal amenities. A Lost Creek visitor stated, "The campground offers concrete picnic tables, lantern post, a pit toilet and bear safe trash receptacles. There is no potable water available from a spicket and no Verizon cell reception." Pack in all drinking water or bring filtration systems for most locations.
Scout camps with family accommodations: Camp Woodruff Boy Scout Summer Camp offers established facilities ideal for families. A visitor described it as "One of the best campgrounds, hands down. As an Eagle Scout from around this area, this was our go-to place for summer camp and occasional other camping trips as well. With a large lake, open field, and well maintained roads and accommodations."
Water play accessibility: Look for camping areas with gentle water entry points. A Toccoa River Cove camper wrote, "We want to say this is a 'goldilocks' campground, but only because it has something for everyone, not because it falls into an average category. With 12 acres of woodland and the freedom to pitch a tent anywhere, you can camp right next to the car."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds near popular recreation areas can become busy and noisy on weekends. A camper at Lost Creek noted, "Nice but super crowded on the weekend." For quieter family experiences, seek out midweek stays or more remote sites that require short walks from parking areas.
Size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Culberson cannot accommodate large RVs. A visitor to Raven Cliff Falls warned, "The driveway down to the shelter is very steep, and does not allow much space to turn around. RVs or larger trucks will not fit, and per the owner only one vehicle may park at the base of the driveway at a time."
Alternative glamping options: For those wanting RV amenities without towing, The Glamp Shack offers "a fully equipped kitchenette" in a "private and heavily forested" setting. These established structures provide electricity and comfort while maintaining the outdoor experience.
Limited hookups: Even established campgrounds rarely offer full hookups. Most RV-suitable sites provide only basic amenities. When hookups are available, they typically offer just electricity without water or sewer connections at individual sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Culberson, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Culberson, NC is Camp Woodruff Boy Scout Summer Camp with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Culberson, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 114 tent camping locations near Culberson, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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