Camping near Glen Alpine, North Carolina offers diverse terrain options from high-elevation sites along mountain ridges to lakeside locations with water recreation. The region sits at the edge of the Pisgah National Forest and Linville Gorge Wilderness where elevation ranges from 1,200 to nearly 4,000 feet, creating variable camping conditions even within short distances. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night while summer days typically reach 80-85°F with cooler evenings, particularly at higher elevations.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 2.35 miles to High Shoals Falls in South Mountains State Park gives access to an 80-foot waterfall. One visitor noted, "Most notable is the Raven Rock Trail to the High Shoals Falls Trail, which, depending on your level of fitness could be deemed a moderate to strenuous 2.35 mile climb and descent to the upper falls and then wooden boardwalk and steep steps down to the gorgeous 80 ft High Shoals waterfall."
Swimming access: Lake recreation at Lake James State Park offers designated swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "The campground is a 2-minute drive (6-minute bike ride) down to the beach and there is a huge swimming area there. Also, a nice launch for kayaks and SUPs to the right of the beach (looking at the water)."
Off-highway vehicle trails: Brown Mountain has designated OHV areas accessible from the roadside campsites. "This parking lot is mainly used by Off Highway Vehicles (OHV). That is, dirt bikes and four wheelers. The OHV trail starts at the parking lot, which is why on weekends it gets extremely busy."
What campers like
Creek-side sites: Hidden Creek provides camping spots directly adjacent to flowing water. As one camper shared, "Hidden Creek not only has a nice creek running through the campground within 20 feet of my site, but also the nature trail is off the beaten path from the very active campground along a small river."
Mountaintop privacy: Dispersed camping on NC 105 offers more seclusion than established campgrounds. A camper explained, "If you get to those coordinates and the spot is already taken up, don't worry because there a handful of spots with a view that you can also get... If you go past the coordinates there are more with a view but we didnt travel the whole road because it's very long."
Accessibility to trails: Table Rock Campsites provide direct access to premier hiking. "To the right is the trail to Table Rock and beyond up to Hawksbill. There are no campsites, at least not to the point where you go up to Table Rock. To the left is the picnic area and then the campsite area."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most wilderness areas have minimal or no connectivity. At Brown Mountain Roadside Campsites, "Phone reception and internet access are unavailable at the sites, or at least the one I was at. You will get service to make phone calls at the OHV trail parking lot. Internet is spotty."
Road conditions for access: Many campsites require navigating rough roads. For Old NC 105, "If you take your time and they are available there are a few spots on both sides of the road with wonderful views the begging of the road from either side is easy enough to get down but in the middle it gets really rough."
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require planning. At Hidden Creek, campers advised: "Halloween is awesome here, plan on a solid week here to see things in the area. Brings warm clothes as we encountered frosty evenings and rainy days- you are in the foothills!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Select sites close to play areas for convenience at Spacious Skies 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. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site."
Fishing opportunities: Black Bear Campground offers accessible fishing for children. "This is a brand new tent and cabin campground built by Duke Energy and run by McDowell county on Lake James. There is a boat ramp very close by, a fishing dock, picnic area, trails in and around the campground."
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary dramatically between campgrounds. South Mountains State Park features "cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen!! The tent pad was large enough to setup our 8 man tent and 2 man tent, and lewve us plenty of room for our kitchen setup and room around the fire pit."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Steele Creek Park offers various electrical options. "There are primitive campsites for those who only want to 'rough it', sites indicated for tent or pop-up with water and electricity, 30 amp and 50 amp sites. a large portion of the sites are located directly on the creek."
Steep road warnings: Approach directions matter at Bear Den. One RVer advised: "hint here if pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain."
Size limitations: Many wilderness sites restrict larger vehicles. For Table Rock, "I should note that there are campsites all the way up once you hit the dirt portion of the road. Several of those campsites would be good options getting to the northern portion of the gorge."
