Best Campgrounds near Lansing, NC

The Lansing area in North Carolina features several campgrounds along mountain streams and scenic woodland areas. Helton Creek Campground, located in Ashe County, provides tent and RV camping with electric hookups alongside a trout stream. Mountaineer Campground in Lansing offers primitive camping with 13 sites operated by the city. Other options include New River State Park's Wagoner access, with walk-in tent sites and RV accommodations near the water. The region includes a mix of privately operated campgrounds and state park facilities within a 30-minute drive of Lansing.

Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the area, with most campgrounds operating from spring through fall. "Small campground away from everything," notes one visitor about Helton Creek Campground, highlighting the remote nature of sites in this region. Limited or no cell service is common in many camping areas around Lansing and neighboring Ashe County. Mountaineer Campground provides basic amenities including fire pits and porta-potties but no water on site. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, especially in spring when rain can create muddy access roads. Highway noise affects some sites, particularly those at Mountaineer Campground which backs up to Highway 1353.

Trout fishing represents a primary attraction at several campgrounds near Lansing. A camper observed that Helton Creek features "great trout fishing" with a "delayed harvest trout stream, well stocked in spring, larger fish stocked in fall." The New River provides additional recreational opportunities, with some campsites offering river access for paddling and tubing. Private sites with riverfront views tend to be the most popular, especially during summer months. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities and level camping pads. The natural setting allows visitors to enjoy mountain scenery while having access to small towns like Lansing and West Jefferson for supplies. Nearby attractions include the Virginia Creeper Trail for hiking and biking, accessible from several campgrounds in the northern part of the region.

Best Camping Sites Near Lansing, North Carolina (231)

    1. Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park

    56 Reviews
    Troutdale, VA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 579-2374

    $25 - $40 / night

    "Campground Review: There are two campgrounds in Grayson Highland SP which is located by The Mouth Of Wilson, VA, near the North Carolina border."

    "With camping just a moderate day hike away from Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, this campground is a hiker's paradise."

    2. Wagoner — New River State Park

    17 Reviews
    Jefferson, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 982-2587

    $27 - $72 / night

    "You have to walk in but the park provides little carts and wheelbarrows. The sites and the bathhouse are very well maintained. The park host, Tom Keller, was just fantastic."

    "We were too far away from the water to walk, so we missed out on that, which we were looking forward to, but overall a really nice experience."

    3. Grindstone

    21 Reviews
    Troutdale, VA
    13 miles
    Website

    $24 - $36 / night

    "Woodsy sites, access to hiking trails. Spacious camp sites with all the amenities."

    "We like to hike and there are TONS of trails in this area. One trail leaves directly from the campground and will bring you to the top of Mt. Rogers, also intersecting with the Appalachian Trail."

    4. Blue Bear Mountain Camp

    27 Reviews
    Todd, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 406-4226

    $25 - $136 / night

    "It offers RV, drive in and hike in tent sites and also teepee camping."

    "There is a place to wash dishes outside as well. Fantastic walking trails - some parts quite steep but we got a good workout through the woods on the property."

    5. Helton Creek Campground

    7 Reviews
    Crumpler, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 384-2320

    $10 - $50 / night

    "Small but wonderful campground that sits right next to a trout stream. Definitely the place to go if you just want to get away from it all!"

    "Any outside noise is washed away by the stream. Good bathhouse/restroom. Excellent fishing on site and plenty more in walking distance."

    6. Hurricane Campground

    15 Reviews
    Troutdale, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 783-5196

    $20 - $40 / night

    "This camp ground is located well off any main roads under a nice quiet canopy of Hemlocks and Laurel trees. Easy walking distance to several well maintained and very clean outhouses."

    "Two nearby campgrounds were closed for the season so we were lucky to come across this one. Loved having the sound of the river right next to our site."

    7. Twin Rivers Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Crumpler, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 982-3456

    "Twin rivers campground is located in Crumpler NC on the river.  It is a primitive campground with both RV and tent sites. "

    "It seems a little bit of a sketchy drive into the primitive sites, but no one had any problems as far as I know—we certainly didn’t!"

    8. Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park

    6 Reviews
    Whitetop, VA
    9 miles
    +1 (276) 579-7092

    "It was blowing up all over the trails at some points! But it's all worth it. The views are amazing! The ponies are great, they're come right up to you and check you out."

    "Great facilities and located very close to Wilbur ridge where the wild ponies are! The AT is very close and waterfall hikes can be accessed from camp.also lots of great bouldering in the area"

    9. Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground

    12 Reviews
    Whitetop, VA
    15 miles
    Website

    $24 - $85 / night

    "Large secluded campsites surrounded by rhododendron bushes with a mountain spring creek meandering through the campgrounds."

    "We use the lake for paddle boarding or kayaking and we bike on the Va Creeper trail, the local mountain bike and hiking trails adjacent to the campground or just bike down to the lake and back."

    10. Creeper Trail Campground

    5 Reviews
    Whitetop, VA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 388-3426

    $45 - $55 / night

    "It is steps away from Creeper trail in Whitetop"

    "There is no cell phone reception anywhere around until you get to Damascus about 30 minutes away. The office/cafe does has WiFi."

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Recent Reviews near Lansing, NC

1232 Reviews of 231 Lansing Campgrounds


  • C
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Steele Creek Park & Campground

    Extra fees

    Sooo...went to book online. Selected my site and started the payment process. I was greeted by a pop-up stating that if I want to lock in my site, I'd have to pay an additional $20 fee.

    Okay, let me get this straight: I reserve a specific site for specific reasons, then the campground tells me they have the right to move me to a site of their choosing unless I pay them an additional $20?

    No thanks. Just lost my business. I'm sure it's a nice place, but really?

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Pioneer Village

    Convenient but Hilly

    We only stayed for one night and this location is very convenient for this area when traveling Interstate 81. Easy access to pull through sites, needed one inch block on one side to level off. Rest rooms were so so, men’s room has one stall out of order. Grounds are clean and fair amount of spacing between sites. Needed extra hose to reach water spigot. But it is a hilly location. The access road in and out of the campground is a hill. Stopping at the office and you’re on a pretty steep incline. It’s on my list of repeat stops for this area.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Observation Knob Park

    On the water

    Beautiful, popular park. Not all sites are level. Sites are fairly close together. Excellent scenery.

  • Cliff W.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

    Camping in Quiet

    This is our second time here. It's pretty quiet here. There is a heated pool (closed), corn hole, playground, and multiple games. We noticed there's no kids during this time of the year. The KOA station has some cute gifts. 24 hrs. Restrooms, laundry area, and great outdoor. The cabins have there very own toilet, tv, full size bed, and bunk beds. Very nice KOA.

  • Yuriy-Sarah G.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Growing Faith Farms & Retreat

    Best camping weekend!

    Our kids say,"leave them 10k stars on the review!" The best camping trip we've had in a long while. Location is private and secluded, yet within reasonable driving distance to stores and other attractions like hiking/biking/kayaking. The farm is beautiful, well-maintained, and the hosts super friendly and helpful. Love the water at the site(and electric is going to be even better soon!) and the convenience of the bathhouse. Plenty of great things to do locally, from hiking and waterfalls to apple picking. We had a wonderful weekend, and will certainly be back! Thanks!

  • William F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Creekside Campground — Hungry Mother State Park

    Great Spot!

    Sites are a little close and sharp turns coming in. Pads are level, bathrooms are clean. Everything is kinda spread out as far as bathrooms houses or playgrounds for the kids. Really nice and quiet tho.

  • Bailey R.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cardens Bluff Campground

    Lake side camping

    This relaxing little camp site has such pretty spacious camp site. We went day of in September and found a spot on the lake no problem. Do bring cash as it’s cash only if you pay the day you show up. Camp host were super nice and the price was wonderful. There weren’t as many bathrooms as I would have liked due to most being worked on. There is really good cell service on the camp site.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Roan Mountain State Park Campground

    New Favorite Campground

    This is my new favorite campground! There are trees everywhere and there really isn't a bad spot! Some sites were right on the creek (sites 40 and 41 were great). The tent camping area is beautiful and one of the best I've seen. We were at site 9, one of the only pull-through sites. We had water and electric and some sites have FHU. There are a lot of beautiful hikes in the area. No cell service, but there is (slow) wifi throughout the campground. There is a Verizon hotspot to make calls, but I couldn't connect with US Cellular. We will definitely be back!


Guide to Lansing

Camping near Lansing, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Grayson Highlands State Park. One visitor said, "Hiking is awesome. The kids LOVED the wild horses and the steer walking around."
  • Fishing: Enjoy some quiet time by the water at Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park. A camper mentioned, "We could not have been any closer to the creek, the sound of trickling water lulled us to sleep."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for the wild ponies at Stone Mountain State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The ponies are extra cute. Please respect the distance advice and don't feed them."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Hungry Mother State Park. A visitor said, "The bathroom facilities were very clean (heated, showers, flushable toilets)."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Blue Bear Mountain Camp. One camper shared, "The site was beautiful, lots of space between campers."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff at Julian Price Park Campground. A reviewer said, "Mike and Pam were fantastic helping us get settled."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell coverage at some campgrounds. A visitor at Stone Mountain State Park Campground noted, "We could send and receive text messages, but coverage was very spotty."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. One camper at Hickory Ridge Campground advised, "Make sure you hike to the top. The views are great."
  • Wildlife Caution: Keep a safe distance from wildlife. A visitor at Royal Oak Campground warned, "We witnessed a lady attempting to pet the stallion of the herd."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby hiking trails and wildlife. One family at Blue Bear Mountain Camp said, "Everything a small family with very young kids could need."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Honey Bear Campground mentioned, "Plenty of trees, shade, and a babbling brook."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Look for campgrounds that are known for their peaceful atmosphere. A visitor at Little Oak Campground said, "Spacious sites; peaceful campground; clean showers."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure the campground has the right hookups for your RV. A reviewer at Grindstone Recreation Area noted, "Some sites had water and electricity, but we booked late and ended up without it."
  • Level Your Site: Bring leveling blocks if your site is sloped. A camper at COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground mentioned, "The sites slope some so you will need to use levelers."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise levels, especially during quiet hours. A visitor at Honey Bear Campground said, "Very quiet park, even at Memorial Day weekend."

Camping near Lansing, NC, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some unforgettable memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lansing, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lansing, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 231 campgrounds and RV parks near Lansing, NC and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Lansing, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lansing, NC is Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park with a 4.8-star rating from 56 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lansing, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Lansing, NC.

What parks are near Lansing, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Lansing, NC that allow camping, notably Blue Ridge Parkway and W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir.