Dispersed camping near Burnsville, North Carolina offers numerous primitive sites at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 6,000 feet throughout the Pisgah National Forest region. Weather patterns vary dramatically by season, with summer temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler at higher elevations compared to the valleys. Fall camping brings colorful foliage but requires additional preparation for rapidly dropping nighttime temperatures, often reaching below 40°F even in early autumn.
What to do
Swimming holes and waterfalls: Several campsites near Steele Creek feature accessible swimming spots. As one camper noted, "There is a walking trail at the end of the road about 100 feet from our site, that had the best swimming hole at the end of it, where you can jump in. It has a couple small waterfalls to add to the ambience."
Fishing opportunities: Trout fishing is popular in the Linville River. A visitor to Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping explains, "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."
Sunrise viewing: The high elevations provide exceptional sunrise opportunities. At Grassy Ridge Bald, one camper described their experience as "a beautiful sunset, a full moon to howl at, and a sunrise that can't be beat. The hike back was in and out of the clouds. Pure bliss!"
What campers like
Creekside camping: Many campers choose sites near water sources for the natural ambiance. A visitor to Victor Road Dispersed mentioned, "We enjoyed the peace and quiet, other than the stream near by. Other than a deer that left its tracks nearby, nothing bothered us."
Privacy and separation: Unlike developed campgrounds, many dispersed sites offer significant separation between campers. At Pisgah National Forest Dispersed, one camper noted, "Free sites, first come first serve. Definitely some disrespectful neighbors but sites aren't closely packed."
High-elevation experiences: Camping at higher elevations provides unique conditions. A camper at Grassy Ridge Bald reported, "It's a short hike up from Carver Gap. There are several spots on the bald to pitch your tent. There are not too many spots to gather firewood. A few sites already have rock pits made for you. Super windy so dress appropriately!"
What you should know
Road condition challenges: Many forest roads become difficult after rain. A camper at Old NC 105 Dispersed reported, "The road wasn't as bad as I was expecting as a whole, but there were some spots that were rouuuuugh."
Campsite availability timing: Weekends see much higher usage. One camper noted, "I got here late, around 5 pm on Saturday, so I had difficulty finding a spot. There was lots of sites but they wrrrr all filled up."
Wildlife awareness: Ticks and mosquitoes are common in warmer months. A camper mentioned, "The sound of the creek was nice but I did get eaten alive by mosquitos and I found a tick on my chair so be on the lookout."
Variable water access: Not all sites have reliable water sources. A visitor to Old North Carolina 105 Road observed, "Water sources are non-existent. Traffic was insane."
Tips for camping with families
Tent-friendly sites: Many areas are better suited for tent camping than vehicles. At Steele Creek, a camper observed, "Maybe I missed this in the reviews, but all but 1 site were best for tents. I drove in to camp in my car and there was only 1 spot, which is by the creek crossing."
Trail access for kids: Some sites offer easy access to family-friendly trails. A visitor to Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping mentioned, "Headed up the road from Lake James to find this stunning view down into the gorge from our site."
Pet considerations: While pets are allowed at most sites, increasing numbers of off-leash dogs create challenges. One camper warned, "People with aggressive dogs do come here and think it's okay to have them off a leash. But that's everywhere anymore."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly, especially at higher elevations. A camper advised, "If you take your time and they are available there are a few spots on both sides of the road with wonderful views...biggest con for me is I use a pump filter to fill up water no camp sight that I could find had access to the river."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller vehicles only. A visitor to Victor Road Dispersed noted, "Great place by Blue Ridge Pkwy. Not very far off Pkwy, we had no problem getting there with our Artic Fox truck camper and pulling a Jeep."
Alternative parking solutions: Some areas have designated parking near hiking trails. One camper suggested, "We drove in mid day and couldn't find a spot, unfortunately. All dispersed spots were taken. However, there are parking spaces that you can park in overnight in front of hunting shelters."
Clearance requirements: Vehicle ground clearance is critical on forest roads. A camper using a small car shared, "I drove the whole road South end to North in my fwd sedan haha and saw plenty of beautiful spots to settle at...I saw alot of reviews about absolutely needing an AWD vehicle with good clearance but I maneuvered my way through the road with my little hyundai."
RV size restrictions: Most sites won't accommodate larger RVs. A visitor observed, "Plenty of room for a couple of tents. Wouldn't try with a RV though."
