Stone Mountain State Park Campground provides direct access to climbing areas and hiking trails through dense forests in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The region averages 12-15 inches of annual snowfall, primarily between December and February. Seasonal creeks and moderate temperature swings make this area ideal for three-season camping with proper gear.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Stone Mountain State Park offers trail connections to multiple waterfalls within moderate hiking distance. "Great sites. Clean bathrooms, close to many hiking trails and waterfalls," notes Joe B. from Stone Mountain State Park Campground.
Fishing in stocked waters: Price Lake at Julian Price Park provides catch-and-release fishing opportunities with a valid North Carolina license. "The lake is hatchery supported, and I did witness someone catching a fish as we walked along the lake trail," reports Myron C. from Julian Price Park Campground.
Horseback riding trails: Access 66 miles of connected riding trails through the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail system. "This state park has wild horses of its own, but has numerous multi-use and equestrian trails and connects with additional trails in the area for up to 66 miles of riding," explains Jean C. about Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground.
Kayak rentals: Several campgrounds offer boat rentals for water activities. "There is a spot within the park to rent kayaks which was great. There is a hiking trail that goes around the lake," shares Danielle L. about Julian Price Park.
What campers like
Year-round accessibility: Stone Mountain remains open throughout winter months for hardier campers. "We went in December and there wasn't many people there at all, maybe 4 other campers all weekend," writes Charli R. from Stone Mountain State Park Campground.
Base camp options: Some campers prefer established campgrounds as bases for day trips. "The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as 'base camp' for day hikes," notes Julie L. about Basin Cove Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple horse campgrounds near Glendale Springs, North Carolina offer wildlife encounters. "Saw a Family of black bear about a mile from camp then a bobcat in camp later that day! Great facilities and located very close to Wilbur ridge where the wild ponies are," reports Kelly C. from Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground.
Stream-side sites: Creekside camping spots rank among the most requested options. "Sandy Creek Family Campground has one incredible site that has a firepit just feet from the creek," mentions Kirsten J. from Sandy Creek Family Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds operate different reservation systems. "Sites in the main park area have gravel pads, picnic tables, fire rings and some have posts for lanterns as well," explains Sarah C. about Grayson Highlands.
Wildlife safety: Wild horses require specific precautions. "Do everyone a favor and keep your distance, please. I experienced a negative interaction with the ponies here that resulted in several backpacks being chewed to bits," warns Sarah C. from Chestnut Hollow.
Weather preparation: High-elevation camps experience significant wind and cold. "This place is by far the windiest place I've ever camped in. We couldn't get a proper fire started due to the wind! The windchill was a serious issue for some in our group," cautions Scott B. about Grayson Highlands.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide potable water. "There is NO clean water source, you have to bring a filter system with you," advises Julie L. about Basin Cove Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "The grounds had both a play set for the kids and a volleyball court," mentions Kirsten J. about Sandy Creek Family Campground.
Creek exploration: Shallow water features provide natural play areas. "The kids enjoyed playing in the creek and on the playground," notes Ann H. about Sandy Creek Family Campground.
Wildlife education: Several locations offer wildlife viewing suitable for children. "Wild ponies, endless blueberries, spectacular view of wildflowers make this on of my go to spots to introduce someone to backpacking," shares Michael B. about Grayson Highlands.
Easy-access trails: Multiple campgrounds feature trails appropriate for young hikers. "The trail is amazing—but some spots may be very difficult to cross in the spring," advises Hollz about Basin Cove.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven parking areas. "The site we were at was pretty level, but they don't have a specific pad they just told us to park however we wanted," explains Becca C. about Sandy Creek Family Campground.
Dump station access: Facilities vary significantly between locations. "The biggest negative I would say was the dump station. It was on the hill so you had to back up to it and it wasn't easy location to do so," warns Becca C. from Sandy Creek.
Electrical reliability: Power availability can fluctuate at some locations. "Extended family was staying in an RV site while we were there and they had some problems with their power staying on," reports Kirsten J. about Sandy Creek Family Campground.
Site selection strategy: Look for sites with natural barriers for privacy. "We stayed at site A4, and I chose this site for a few reasons. It was close to the lake, but unfortunately, we couldn't see the lake from the site," advises Myron C. about Julian Price Park.
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