B
Brandi M.
Scout
ScoutThree Peaks RV Resort
Absolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
Camping near Morganton, NC
289 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
Camping near Morganton, NC spans full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, cabin rentals, and free dispersed camping along the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Spacious Skies Bear Den offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and cabin rentals approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown. South Mountains State Park Family Campground, located 15 miles south of Morganton, provides electric hookups and tent sites in a forested setting. For those seeking more primitive experiences, Old NC 105 offers free dispersed camping with drive-in access, while Table Rock Campsites in the Linville Gorge Wilderness area provides free primitive camping with stunning mountain views.
Camping availability varies significantly by season, with most developed campgrounds operating from spring through fall. South Mountains State Park remains open year-round, while Steele Creek Park operates from April through October. The Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds, including Linville Falls and Crabtree Falls, typically close during winter months. Road conditions on forest service roads can be challenging, particularly at Old NC 105 where high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many locations, especially in wilderness areas and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. One camper noted, "We drove the entire road between Lake James and Linville Falls and there are tons of good spots for boondocking and hiking. The road itself is all dirt and gravel and can get a little rough."
Waterfront sites at campgrounds like Steele Creek Park and Black Mountain Roadside Campsites receive consistently positive reviews for their scenic settings. Several visitors highlighted the mountain views available at higher elevation sites, particularly at Table Rock Campsites in the Linville Gorge Wilderness. A camper described the area as having "breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, hills and valleys." The region's campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities, from the full-service facilities at Spacious Skies Hidden Creek to the primitive conditions at dispersed sites. Proximity to hiking trails, waterfalls, and the Blue Ridge Parkway represents a significant draw for many campers, with South Mountains State Park offering direct access to waterfall trails and Linville Falls Campground providing convenient access to the popular Linville Falls trail system.
Best Campgrounds near Morganton (289)
1. Spacious Skies Bear Den
"Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families."
"Bear den was a perfect location for the Blue ridge parkway. We stayed at a two cabin lot that had a hot tub. Bear den has everything from RV camp sites to a game room."
from $24 - $999 / night
Check Availability2. South Mountains State Park Family Campground
"This is a beautiful state park located outside of Morganton, NC - definitely off the beaten path. The family campground is heavily invested in, and you can tell, it's very nice."
"The family campground is a short distance further inside the park on the left side(approx 2 miles) marked by a small brown sign...and is situated at 1400 ft elevation. "
from $27 - $32 / night
Check Availability3. Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping
"This was our first stop on our first trip to North Carolina and now we don’t want to leave!"
"The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am)."
4. Steele Creek Park & Campground
"The close proximity to Linville Falls, Blowing Rock and the Blue Ridge Parkway was perfect. We will definitely be back to explore the area more."
"Friends of my went and paddled the Wilson Gorge close by. Tubed down the river, just plenty to do for a weekend trip."
5. Spacious Skies Hidden Creek
"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."
"Gem mines, waterfalls, brewery and shopping in nearby Asheville. There is plenty to do year round, make sure to buy a family pass for games etc. they really cater to family oriented fun."
from $29 - $185 / night
Check Availability6. Linville Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
"Another lovely campground along the BRP, close to Linville Falls and gorge, picnic area and visitor center."
"Easy access to the trails around and over Linville Gorge. You can easily spend 2 days exploring trails along both sides of Linville Gorge and staring at the Falls."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability7. Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NC
"Spent two nights here at a site right next to the creek, which was awesome listening to the running water as you fall asleep. Easy to get to, just a forest service road."
"Big space, right next to the creek. All I heard was the water and some faint crickets hanging on in November. Best part, No highway sound! A couple hunters drove by, no one else was there."
8. Table Rock Campsites (Linville Gorge Wilderness)
"We had the last drive up site towards the top of the mountain facing Morganton, which was gorgeous. Not very secluded and not much flat ground but a great view."
"Be sure to have 4WD (preferably a off-roading vehicle) to make it up some parts of the road.
The spot was massive and could easily fit 5+ vehicles and sleep 20 comfortably."9. Thousand Trails Green Mountain
"We had a deck at our site which was a but problematic due to our steps folding out, it took some finagling and leveling to get it to where we could close our door."
"Ok so this place was just beautiful all around. It is close enough to town to get in and see some places near.... but far enough out that you have some quiet time."
10. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
"Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied."
"This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding."
from $30 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 45 min from Asheville, NC
- 1 hr 21 min from Spartanburg, SC
- 1 hr 38 min from Johnson City, TN
Recent Camping Photos near Morganton, NC
572 Photos of 289 Morganton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Rose Creek RetreatT
Rose Creek Family CampgroundR
Paddy's Creek — Lake James State Park
The River CampJ
Steele Creek Park & Campground
Little River Backcountry Campground — South Mountains State ParkD
Brown Mountain Roadside Campsites
Upper Falls Campsite
South Mountains State Park Family Campground
Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping
National Forest Road/Steele Creek/Nates Place Dispersed CampsiteC
Jellystone Park Camp Resort
Recent Reviews near Morganton, NC
1384 Reviews of 289 Morganton Campgrounds
Windy W.ScoutDoe River Landing
Beautiful Place, Ugly host, Oct 2026
Let me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
- C
Charles K.ScoutWilson's Riverfront RV Park
Lovely spot on the river. Freeway was loud but not too bad.
Bonnie H.ScoutDoe River Landing
Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate
My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
- SSherri B.
GuideSpacious Skies Bear Den
Seems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.
Kyle T.ScoutDoe River Landing
Unprofessional hosts that ruins a place with good potential
We brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back
- AAndrew W.Scout
Doe River Landing
Beautiful place ruined by unprofessional ownership
Our group of about 20 rented nearly every cabin at Doe River Landing for my friend's wedding weekend, with the reception held on site. The cabins were nice and well-equipped, and the only other guests were in a cabin half a mile away through the woods. Unfortunately, the hosts ruined the stay. One night, some of us were playing hide and seek in an area that wasn't blocked off or against any rule. The host's husband came speeding in at roughly 30 mph(the posted limit is 5), jumped out of his truck screaming that he"will not have child hooligans running around the campground," told us to"go back to the motel we crawled out of," and demanded to see our parents— despite all of us being adults in our twenties. He then peeled out so aggressively he sprayed gravel at us and our cars. It wasn't even quiet hours, and we weren't disturbing anyone. Afterward, the host called us again, passive-aggressive, and questioned our ages— even though you have to be 21 just to rent a cabin there. The property is lovely, but the hosts' behavior put a real damper on what should have been a joyful wedding celebration. It's a shame they treat people paying good money this way. We won't be back.
- MMissie M.
TravelerJohn H. Moss Lake Campground
It’s a small, clean campground but we are next to a busy road (site 28) and also the entrance to the public access of Moss Lake. It’s a tight squeeze for us as a 33’ fifth wheel.
Lisa & Patrick R.TravelerBuck Creek
Buck Creek Campground review
Nice spot right on the river..Camp store & staff seem friendly & helpful-especially Sonny & Joshua.
Guide to Morganton
Camping spots near Morganton, North Carolina range from primitive to full-service facilities along the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area sits between 1,000 and 4,000 feet elevation, creating distinct microclimates where temperatures can vary by 10-15 degrees between valley campsites and mountain locations. During summer months, lower elevation camping areas regularly reach daytime temperatures in the mid-90s while higher elevation sites maintain more moderate temperatures in the 70s.
What to do
Mountain biking at Brown Mountain: Brown Mountain offers approximately 16.5 miles of trails shared between mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. Brown Mountain Roadside Campsites provides free campsites with drive-up access. As one camper noted, "We stayed here for 12 days in the very first spot on the right, it was the most secluded and we had a bar of service near/at the picnic table. There was a creek with a decent swimming hole 2 minutes walking distance from camp."
Fishing at local ponds: Many campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds that don't require licenses. Spacious Skies Hidden Creek maintains a fishing lake with free equipment. According to a visitor, "My kids loved the fishing lake - they caught (and released) a bunch of fish and there were kayaks and peddle boats that could be used for free."
Hiking to waterfalls: Trails range from easy walks to strenuous climbs leading to impressive waterfalls. South Mountains State Park Family Campground features trails leading directly to an 80-foot waterfall. A camper mentioned, "I searched 'best waterfalls in NC' and this park did not disappoint. We stayed for 3 nights - family campsite was used as basecamp. We also had a primitive site that we backpacked to for a night."
Primitive backpacking: For experienced hikers seeking solitude, trails in the Linville Gorge Wilderness lead to remote sites. One camper at Table Rock Campsites described their experience: "My husband and I spent Thanksgiving at one of the Table Rock backcountry sites and couldn't have loved it more. Our site had picturesque views of the mountains and a convenient fire ring."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Creekside and lakefront sites provide natural cooling and ambient sound. A visitor to Steele Creek Park & Campground shared, "Our site backed up to the creek which was amazing! We went in the fall so all the activities were done for the year. We will definitely be back in the summer time!"
Mountain overlooks: Many dispersed camping areas offer dramatic views across multiple mountain ranges. A camper at Old NC 105 wrote, "Nice, clean, open lots with beautiful views. We had decent cell service."
Dark skies for stargazing: Higher elevation campsites away from town provide exceptional night sky visibility. According to a visitor at Table Rock Campsites, "The last night was beautiful and the stars were incredible."
Clean bathrooms: Modern facilities at established campgrounds receive consistent praise. One camper at South Mountains State Park noted, "Cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen!! The tent pad was large enough to setup our 8-man tent and 2-man tent, and leave us plenty of room for our kitchen setup and room around the fire pit."
What you should know
Gate closures affect access: Many state and federal campgrounds lock entrance gates at specified hours. At South Mountains State Park, "Gates to the park are locked up at 9 pm so there's no getting in or out late at night."
Off-road vehicle traffic: Some forest roads experience high traffic on weekends, particularly those accessing OHV trails. As noted at Brown Mountain Roadside Campsites, "Being part of an OHV network, expect a lot of trucks towing bikes, 4x4s, etc. throughout the day/night."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies drastically by location and carrier. One visitor to Julian Price Park Campground reported, "The sites in A loop are reservable... The worst part I discovered about sites in the A loop is that you can hear traffic from the Blue Ridge Parkway all day long except for two to three hours in the middle of the night."
Water availability: Dispersed camping areas typically lack potable water sources. A camper at Old NC 105 advised, "Make sure to bring plenty of bottled water and the road has a lot of traffic."
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Several campgrounds offer scheduled events for children. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, "Very friendly and helpful staff they know the surrounding hikes very well. Lots of activities during daylight hours with a playground for the kids."
Choose sites near playgrounds: Some campgrounds have strategic sites overlooking play areas. A Bear Den visitor mentioned, "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30 pm. May be different in the Summer. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site."
Consider cabins for mixed weather: Spring and fall camping can bring unexpected temperature changes. A Bear Den camper shared, "My two teenage boys and I stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture. There is a countertop next to the front door and plenty of room for all of our gear."
Alcohol restrictions vary: While some private campgrounds permit alcohol, state parks enforce strict policies. A visitor to South Mountains State Park warned, "The no-alcohol policy at the park is STRICTLY enforced, so be careful!"
Tips from RVers
Check clearance requirements: Forest service roads leading to prime camping areas often have rough sections. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, one visitor 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."
Book early for creek sites: Premium waterfront RV sites typically fill months in advance. A Steele Creek Park camper shared, "A lot of the sites have water beside them. Bathrooms were clean. There is a store on property that has things you may have forgotten and a grill."
Be prepared for tight turns: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. As noted at Thousand Trails Green Mountain, "Some sites may be difficult to back in just depending on where you are and type of camper."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any RV-friendly campgrounds in Morganton, NC?
Are there any RV-friendly campgrounds in Morganton, NC?
Grandfather Campground offers excellent RV camping with riverside sites, clean facilities, and friendly staff ready to provide information on local attractions. Four Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat is another great option, particularly for RVers traveling with dogs. This unique campground features 18 acres dedicated to dog amenities along with well-maintained RV sites. For those seeking full hookups near Morganton, Steele Creek Park & Campground offers convenient access with water and electric connections for RVs of various sizes.
What are the best campgrounds near Morganton, NC?
What are the best campgrounds near Morganton, NC?
The Morganton area offers exceptional camping options with beautiful mountain settings. Catawba Falls Campground (temporarily closed until 2025) sits on a small river providing wonderful ambient sound while being conveniently located near Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway, and national parks. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway is another excellent option with beautiful sites just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, particularly enjoyable during less crowded spring and fall weekends. Both campgrounds offer easy access to hiking trails and scenic mountain views that make the Morganton area a premier camping destination.
What tent camping options are available in the Morganton area?
What tent camping options are available in the Morganton area?
Tent campers have diverse options near Morganton. Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping offers free boondocking between Lake James and Linville Falls with breathtaking mountain views from several sites. For those seeking a unique experience, Green Willow Farm Camping provides a pastoral setting on a working farm. Adventure seekers might enjoy Grassy Ridge Bald - Dispersed BackCountry, a beautiful 6000' bald off the Appalachian Trail with plenty of tent sites, though firewood is scarce so bring a lantern and stove. Most tent sites in the region offer picnic tables and fire rings.
Keep Exploring