Tent campsites near Pineola, North Carolina sit at elevations between 3,000-4,000 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures that rarely exceed 85°F. The surrounding Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River area features multiple primitive camping options with varying access requirements. Many sites require driving on unpaved forest roads that can become challenging after rainfall.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 0.5-mile hike from Mortimer Campground leads to a small waterfall on the property. "Beautiful, clean grounds with access to a 1/2 mile round trip hike to a waterfall on the property," notes camper Tanner G., who adds you should "definitely plan ahead on provisioning bc it's about 45 mins drive into the national forrest."
Swimming holes: Multiple options within walking distance of most campsites. A camper at Paddy's Creek reports, "The campground is a 2-minute drive (6-minute bike ride) down to the beach and there is a huge swimming area there." At Mortimer, Tony E. mentions "there is a spot nearby where a lot of people like to float on tubes kind of like a lazy river type thing."
Fishing: Trout fishing available at higher elevation campgrounds. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, one visitor reported, "The hike to the pond was a little more strenuous than we anticipated but once you get there, there is a nice creek and we caught a trout in the pond right away."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Private showers at newer campgrounds. Black Bear Campground features "clean bathrooms and individual showers," according to John L. Another camper adds, "This is a brand new campground. Either they keep the sites extremely clean after each guest, or we were the first to stay at our site."
Mountain temperatures: Natural cooling at higher elevation sites. Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers "large campsites on a mountaintop" where "the elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," notes Kristen J. Another camper mentions enjoying "70-80 [degrees] in July!" due to the elevation.
Creek sounds: Tent sites near water for natural white noise. Chad K. explains that at Mortimer Campground, "Many of the campsites are situated along Thorps Creek, so the sound of the creek can lull you to sleep." Similarly, at Steele Creek, campers note the "quiet creek spot" creates "pure peace compared to the others in the area."
What you should know
Road conditions: Unpaved access to many campgrounds requires planning. Mortimer Campground has "9 miles, minimum, of dirt roads getting in, so pack accordingly. Quick trips don't happen," warns Clementine K. Steele Creek camper Michael W. notes, "Road wasn't too bad, only a spot or 2 on the switchback that were probably best for a 4 wheel drive vehicle, but I'm sure most cars would be fine."
Reservation systems: Mix of options across the camping area. Mortimer operates first-come, first-served while Blue Bear Mountain Camp requires advance reservations. Black Bear camper Lisa D. notes she "only wish[es] they had a first come first serve and not just on line reservation."
Cell service: Limited connectivity throughout the region. When staying at Dark Ridge HideOut, campers appreciate that "wifi is available over the whole site" because there's "little to no cell service." Chad K. confirms that at Mortimer Campground, visitors should "be prepared for zero cell service."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Private options available for families seeking space. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, the "campsites are very spaced out," which works well for family groups. Another camper confirms, "The camper spots are very spacious and C1-C3 are completely shaded. C3 is the best by far!"
Nature activities: Wildlife awareness needed in this area. Steele Creek camper Brenna M. cautions, "I did get eaten alive by mosquitos and I found a tick on my chair so be on the lookout." At Mortimer, Diana C. mentions it "would be great for a family who likes lots of company. It is dog friendly, and has a few good hiking trails."
Swimming options: Kid-friendly spots at developed areas. Paddy's Creek at Lake James offers "a huge swimming area" with lifeguards during summer months. Mortimer Campground has a spot where "a lot of people like to float on tubes kind of like a lazy river type thing," which appeals to families with children.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Tent-focused camping throughout the region. At Steele Creek, Michael W. discovered "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, and it was already taken." Similarly, Cody B. notes Mortimer Campground can accommodate "a class b" or "a small trailer would fit, nothing big."
Utility access: Limited hookups at most campgrounds. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "They do not have water hookups- you fill your camper tank with water at the office area. They have spots with electric hookups. They have a dump station where you can empty your tanks on your way out," explains Mandy R.
