Are you planning a tent camping trip to Purlear? We've got you covered. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Purlear, North Carolina's most popular destinations.
Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers year round camping experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Car accessible tent and RV sites in a natural setting. Hike in sites for those looking for a little more adventure and privacy. Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals for guests wanting a rustic, mountain getaway while staying in comfort. Located just 8 miles north of Boone, NC on over 150 acres of pristine mountain land, miles of hiking trails, a trout pond and spacious low density sites allow the guest to get away from it all in a rustic, remote setting. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At 4,000 feet elevation, come enjoy cool mountain breezes and mild temperatures. Blue Bear Mountain is a scenic location for large events such as weddings, corporate events and family reunions. Come Get away from it all at Blue Bear Mountain!
$25 - $136 / night
Mortimer Campground is a small campground nestled within the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Corridor south of Grandfather Mountain. Located at the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp, the 17-site campground is surrounded by lush forests, gentle streams, and a large scenic river popular for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
Visitors to the campground can enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, day hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, picnicking, and scenic driving. Swimming holes along Thorps Creek provide wading opportunities on hot summer days. Nearby Wilson Creek, designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 2000, is well known for its excellent trout fishing, swimming, kayaking, and rugged features. History buffs will enjoy exploring the remnants of the once booming timber town of Mortimer as well as an old CCC work center. Two Forest Service trails depart from the campground. The Thorps Creek trail provides a short (approx. 1/4 mile) hike to Thorps Creek Falls. The more strenuous Schoolhouse Ridge Trail connects to the campground via the .2 mile Bill Vines trail and provides a 3 mile ridgeline excursion with beautiful views before connecting to the Wilson Ridge Trail. Many other Forest Service trails are within a short drive of the Campground, including Hunt Fish Falls, North Harper Creek Falls, and Little Lost Cove Cliffs. The area also boasts a network of scenic mountain biking trails.
Visitors to the campground can enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, day hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, picnicking, and scenic driving. Swimming holes along Thorps Creek provide wading opportunities on hot summer days. Nearby Wilson Creek, designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 2000, is well known for its excellent trout fishing, swimming, kayaking, and rugged features. History buffs will enjoy exploring the remnants of the once booming timber town of Mortimer as well as an old CCC work center. Two Forest Service trails depart from the campground. The Thorps Creek trail provides a short (approx. 1/4 mile) hike to Thorps Creek Falls. The more strenuous Schoolhouse Ridge Trail connects to the campground via the .2 mile Bill Vines trail and provides a 3 mile ridgeline excursion with beautiful views before connecting to the Wilson Ridge Trail. Many other Forest Service trails are within a short drive of the Campground, including Hunt Fish Falls, North Harper Creek Falls, and Little Lost Cove Cliffs. The area also boasts a network of scenic mountain biking trails.
Located in a rich mountain hardwood forest at an elevation of 1,400 ft., Mortimer Campground provides a secluded streamside setting shaded by large hemlocks and pine trees. Thorps Creek runs along the east side of the campground before feeding into the Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek, a popular destination for a variety of activities. Hardwood forests cover the mountain peaks on either side of the valley and multiple mountain feeder creeks can be found nearby. The Mortimer area provides beautiful scenery year-round, from stunning fall foliage displays to abundant spring and summer wildflowers.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (828) 652-2144.
The Wilson Creek Visitor Center is 3.2 miles from the Mortimer Campground and provides information on the Wilson Creek area and has a photograph and artifact collection that tells the history of the area. The towns of Blowing Rock and Morganton are located within an hour___s drive of the campground, to the north and south respectively. Both towns offer a variety of restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and medical facilities. The Julian Price Memorial Park and Campground is located 24 miles north of Mortimer Campground and is a well-known destination for hiking, canoeing, fishing, and camping. Mortimer Campground is 21 miles away from Linville Falls, and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. The Gorge offers breathtaking views and numerous hiking trails. The Campground is 17 miles from the popular Grandfather Mountain State Park, the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
$20 / night
$40 - $200 / night
This site is__not maintained but can still be used.__Campers must hike in to the developed areas, and all sites are primitive. No electric hook ups, no toilets, no running water available.
The Visitor Assistance Center conference room is located beside the dam at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in northwestern North Carolina.
The 1,475-acre reservoir offers excellent boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, threadfin shad, spotted bass, striped bass, and hybrid striped bass. Miles of multi-use trails, that allow hiking and mountain biking, surround the lake, including the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, which can be accessed from the parking lot outside the Visitor Center. An additional 25 miles of trails can be found at the Warrior Creek and Dark Mountain areas.
The gentle Yadkin River flows through its scenic namesake valley in the foothills of the eastern Blue Ridge Mountains. Forests of mixed hardwoods, including sycamore, poplar, oak and hickory, cover the region. Wildlife is abundant in the valley. White-tailed deer, black bear, eastern cottontails and more can be found among the hills. Birds in the area include wild turkey, woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, red-eyed vireo, ovenbirds, mallards and wood ducks.
$50 / night
Boomer Park Shelter is located in Boomer Park at W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir in northwestern North Carolina.
The 1,475-acre reservoir offers excellent boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, threadfin shad, spotted bass, striped bass, and hybrid striped bass.
This lakefront shelter offers six, 7-foot picnic tables. A water spigot can be found at the shelter but there is no electricity available. You can enjoy other park amenities which include a playground, grill, accessible vault toilets, swim beach, and a boat ramp.
The gentle Yadkin River flows through its scenic namesake valley in the foothills of the eastern Blue Ridge Mountains. Forests of mixed hardwoods, including sycamore, poplar, oak and hickory, cover the region. Wildlife is abundant in the valley. White-tailed deer, black bear, eastern cottontails and more can be found among the hills. Birds in the area include wild turkey, woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, red-eyed vireo, ovenbirds, mallards and wood ducks.
$25 / night
Elk Knob State Park has backcountry campsites. It is a pleasant hike down into a cove forest with beautiful streams. There are: 3 individual sites that can accommodate no more than six people and two tents each. 2 group sites that can accommodate up to 26 people and is for organized groups. A zone camping area that can accommodate three sites of no more than six people and two tents each. These are primitive sites with no facilities except one pit toilet to be shared by the two group sites. The sites are approximately a one- to two-mile hike from the trailhead. All supplies, including water, must be packed to the sites. To drink water from nearby creeks and streams, use a filtration device or boil the water for at least 5 minutes. Camp fires are not allowed. Cooking by camp stove is permitted. Reservations are required for the group sites while the other sites are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact the park office for more information.
Paddle in primitive camping - 8 sites available
Located in Ashe and Alleghany counties 35 miles northeast of Boone, New River State Park covers seven accesses along this National Wild and Scenic River that flows north through three states. All accesses allow for launching kayaks and inner tubes to paddle or float along the shallow, gentle river. Paddle-in only campgrounds provide a remote experience. The hellbender — the largest salamander in the U.S. — and 14 species of rare and threatened plant species inhabit the New River valley.
$12 / night
For your New River and Blue Ridge Mountain experience, give us a call and come visit. We will accommodate your canoeing, kayaking, tubing, camping, and fishing needs, as well as much more! Located in Ashe and Alleghany Counties, North Carolina. We are just a short drive from Jefferson, West Jefferson, Sparta, Boone and Wilkesboro. Open April through October. Reservations or call ahead are strongly recommended. For a exciting and unique experience, come to Dusty Trails Outfitters.
$20 / night
Guide
I stayed in late November 2024. There are not many camping sites. They appeared to have electrical and water hook ups on every site. There is no sanitation except for one portable toilet. This is a quaint campground. The couple that owns the property are very nice. The surrounding area of the campground seemed very plain and did not have many activities.
Guide
I visited in July 2024. This is a great older campground. It has been well taken care of over the years. The Rangers on staff are great. There are no showers on site, but there are flushable toilets. There are a couple of potable water sources on the property. There is easy access to multiple sightseeing areas. Great place to go and camp.
Guide
I stayed at this location for 10 days. The campground is well kept and clean. The staff and the camp host were very courteous. It was a very quiet stay. The bathhouse was new and well maintained. I would recommend this place to anyone.
Scout
Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families. With clean facilities, friendly staff, and activities for all ages, it's perfect for camping enthusiasts. While roasting marshmallows, you might even envision levels from Geometry Dash as you unwind by the fire. Explore stunning hiking trails and nearby attractions, ensuring a memorable outdoor experience by the Blue Ridge Parkway.
GuideThe views were incredible!! Love the size of the sites and ease to get to them.
Guide
My partner and I took our dog on a quick impromptu weekend trip, we drove about 2 hours. Once reaching the off road trail my partner got nervous, feeling as if our Forrester wouldn’t make it up. My advice… come prepared. I got. Flat on the way up and was able to make it to my campsite. The campground was well kept, well placed, not to mention the next morning part of the crew that maintains the area helped us fix our flat. Some of the other campers introduced themselves and were extremely friendly and helpful. Some had been camping there for 40yrs. The fire pits are well built and there is plenty of kindling and tinder to find right off the trails. If you’re comping at night time and want a fire bring a starter log. This time of year the wood was a little damp as we arrived late. Other than that bring plenty of water there are creeks and running water around but no running water at the sites, if you’re a must have shower person bring a shower bag. The sights were magical and the salt lick for the ponies wasn’t far so if you’re looking for a weekend getaway with great sites, a little adventure and a whole lot of beauty this campground is for you. This will definitely become a frequent for my partner and I
Scout
I stayed on the “not great for kids” side. Camp host said the other part of the park was better for families and had easier trail inclines. I loved my spot. It was quieter than I expected given how close the camp sites were to each other.
Scout
Love tent camping here, awesome views and great prices
Scout
GGreat location to Main Street, Galax and New River Trail park. Scenic location overlooking Chestnut Creek, clean Bathhouse, great price. No Picnic tables or firepits. Nearby roadway noise fades by dark. Would stay there agai n.
ScoutI found Camp Attocoa accidentally. I felt like a pirate that found treasure. Private owned, water and wood on site. The owner will have you park and will haul you and your gear in and out. Sites are few and far between. Peace and quiet…… this is the spot for you.
Scout
This place is tucked away near a river, plenty of indoor and outdoor activities, plus a nice laundromat. One of the quietest RV parks I've ever been to! The owners are nice and the grounds are well kept. Only reason it's not 5/5 is they currently lack a bathhouse.
Guide
Hosts were nice and helpful. Thanks to Robbi and Darell. Everything was very clean and well kept. Cell service was 3 bars. Lake was beautiful!!
Traveler
I took my horses and grandson to camp in the equestrian campsite. The bathrooms are very clean with AC. There a beautiful creek you can ride your horses in or just play if you want.
ScoutWe've been going to Scales for several years now, & it's one of the few places we keep revisiting! Yes, the road in is rocky (& not short...probly 45 mins from the road to the campground), but anything with Subaru Outback ground clearance will be fine.
The campground itself is great! It's right on the AT, so there are lots of through hikers that you'll see stop in for a night. That also means that there's lots of great hiking options! Our favorite parts are the beautiful views, wild ponies, & it's (usually) relatively quiet!
Additionally, there are a lot of fire pits& there are pit toilets.
ScoutMy site was B82. Plenty of shade, very private on one side and pretty level,-1 from front to back. Most sites will require at least some leveling in the back and on the right side. The site was gravel and clean. Water and electric(30 amp) were fine. I was there a Monday thru Friday and it was VERY quite, I was the only one in my loop. I don't know if it's always like that or if it was a result of the campground only opening the Friday before my arrival due to damage/high water in the lake caused by Hurricane Debbie. It must be really busy on the weekends because they have a separate gate for campers already registered. Based on shade, privacy and level, I would recommend the following sites in B loop 10, 79, 80, 81 and 82. All sites in B loop had more trees between the next site as compared to Loop C. The downside to loop B is there is a lot of tent camping which can cause a lot of people in the showers. Loop B has it own 2 stall dump station, which was clean. There is a 4 station dump on the main road for the other loops. There were a lot of mosquitoes. I don't know if this was a result of the high lake water. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The Rangers patrolled on a regular basis. Now to the bathrooms. I agree with all the other comments. I don't know if it's always this way but the"comfort" station(toilets only) was only open Friday-Sunday. It only has cold water at the sink and no soap. The toilet stalls at the shower house were covered in spider webs. The sinks were filled with mosquitos. The floor wasn't swept or mopped during my stay. The doors of the shower stalls were very short. So short that any other user of the shower area could see entirely into the shower. Your fellow campers would know you very well. I drove thru Loop C and here are my observations. Loop C seems to be the favorite loop of the locals. It's has more lakefront sites which allows for boat docking. The sites didn't appear to have as much gravel as B. The shower house is MUCH better the the one in loop B. It had been remodeled and was clean and the shower doors were of a height that offered privacy. The water turn on is motion sensor and is activated when you enter the shower so be prepared. The water temperature is preset. The other loops were closed due to lake levels and hurricane damage so I could not observe them. The beach is small and not much. To access the bathroom at the beach you have to go to the adjoining campground loop bathroom. Verizon was 2 bars in the entire park. No local TV channels but some like Me TV, etc. No WIFI
Guide
So this is the most unusual place we’ve ever camped. I would call it a‘community where there are campsites’ more than a campground. The majority of the sites are populated by beautifully-kept tiny houses with RVs sprinkled in. The grounds are beautifully planted and tended, evoking a feeling of being in a park. The bathhouse rooms are clean, individual rooms and decorated. The swimming pool is large and clubhouse lodge well provisioned. This is what a camping resort should be(but minus the huge fees)! WiFi is standard; we opted for the Pay version and had great connectivity. You will lose cell service~ 20 minutes from the campground.
Starlite is a long-term community that evolved into providing a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ folks looking for a serene mountain experience and this is an exceptional place. If you come with open mind and heart you will feel entirely welcome. My husband and I enjoyed all the people, dogs and kitties we met. We felt so safe and in this setting that we never even locked the RV when we left. Our site(79) was one of two transient camping sites feet away from the creek and a short walk to the lake filled with water lilies. The gravel site has FHU but currently is not level; the hosts have plans to revamp the site and extend the pad.
Follow the websites directions! You do NOT want to venture onto just any road up here, some of the roads are rough. Print directions before leaving home. The shortcut back dirt road between here and Blowing Rock is an adventure for a truck (only); just plan on driving it slow and it’s fine. Shockingly, as we returned from Blowing Rock the long way on Rt 321 our RV GPS program (in RV mode) kept trying to get us to take these mountainous dirt road shortcuts back to the camp. We might well have been stranded if we hadn’t known better.
Main Street Blowing Rock is a boutique shop haven. Great for strolling. Kilwins ice cream and candy shop in Blowing Rock is awesome, as is the spice shop beside it.
From downtown Blowing Rock you can hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway in minutes. South on the BRP you’ll quickly reach Moses Cone and Julian Price parks, both are great places to hike and picnic.
ScoutGreat campground. Big private sites, lots of activities for teens. Great hiking right from the campground.
Ranger
This is a gravel road that links up with an OHV area/trailhead/parking lot - there are at least 9 campsites, some on the right and most on the left about 100-200 feet from the creek. Being part of an OHV network, expect a lot of trucks towing bikes, 4x4s, etc. throughout the day/night. Some sites were pretty trashed, but none too far gone. Stayed Sunday night and had an unbothered time. About 20 min from Lenoir.
Scout
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, and it was already taken. There’s a nice big spot at the end of the trail where you could rooftop tent/car camp, but the actual site is about 100’ away. 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.
Scout
The stay at the cabin with my wife was a true blessing. Amazing atmosphere, quiet and peaceful.
Legend
I picked this campground because it was very close to Blue Ridge Parkway. My plan was to ride my motorcycle through this beautiful area of NC, but the rain didn't cooperate this trip. I camped in site 112. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. This was a last minute reservation and they had limited availability. The site is not very level and very tight for my 32 foot RV. The site had full hookups (water, sewer, 30 amp electric) that worked great. I walked most of the campground and there are some great sites. Most are wooded and reasonably spaced. Quite a few long term campers, but the rigs and sites were all very well kept. At $64 per night it is a little pricey, for site 112, but probably not for the campground and area as a whole. No grill, just a tire rim for campfires and a picnic table.
Getting parked was a bit of a challenge to get things as level as possible and work around power stand and be able to get awning out to stay out of rain.
I would camp here again and recommend others give it a try. Lots to do in this part of the NC mountains.
Traveler
Excellent campground. Wonderful staff!
Scout
I showed up after hours on a motorcycle looking for an overnight tent site. They didn't have tent sites available in the after hours check in. Luckily, John, who works maintenance, was near by. He opened up the office, checked me into a tent site and figured out how to give me a military discount even though that is not his job. John saved my night! The tent site was clean, level, grass and water and electric worked great. There was some noise from the interstate but expected in a tent. Restroom and shower facilities were clean and functional. My only staff interaction was with John and he was outstanding in customer service and going over the top to take care of getting me set up. Thank you!
Traveler
My husband and I stayed from the 4th of July to the 7th. The site was nice and level with a beautiful view. It’s a quiet, sleepy campground just perfect for relaxing by a fire. Be aware that only a few sites have septic. Pay attention to the site description. There is no cell phone reception anywhere around until you get to Damascus about 30 minutes away. The office/cafe does has WiFi. It is not park-wide though so plan ahead by downloading your maps and music, etc. The campground is owned and run by a couple who take great care to make sure your stay is pleasant. They have a cafe and small store in the office building. We had breakfast one morning - bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich - made on homemade bread and biscuits. So good! I also got a latte and it was amazing. We stopped in for pizza night and got a homemade pesto pizza. Don’t miss that one! Our camper has a bathroom but the camp bathrooms were incredible. Super clean and well-maintained. If you need diesel, nearly every gas station is gas-only. There is a nice gas station and cafe close by in Whitetop Station that carries diesel and has really good food. We stopped there on our way out and the biscuits and gravy were wonderful. The Virginia Creeper trail head is right around the corner from the entrance to the campground.
Scout
Great place a little bit tight but not bad at all. The layouts are nice, there is a table, fire pit and most places can squeeze 2 tents. They have clean bathrooms and individual showers. It does get quite warm in the summer.
Scout
This place was awesome. Private but well equipped with all the necessities you need. Very pleasant.
Legend
We’ve camped at Stone Mountain multiple times over the years. We tent-camped when my boys were small. Most recently in our RV (3-4 times in the past three years). It is a great park. The hiking is excellent. The campsites are large and spacious. The park is well-kept. Make sure you hike to the top. The views are great, and you can spend time at the Homestead farm in the valley below.
We camped here this past weekend and enjoyed it once again. We were at site 56. It is an excellent site on the stream, with no site immediately next to you, so there is lots of privacy. The firepit, picnic table, water, and electricity are all great. We had limited cell service for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. We could send and receive text messages, but coverage was very spotty.
We will be back again in the Fall.
Nestled in the scenic beauty of North Carolina, Purlear offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Purlear, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Purlear, NC is Blue Bear Mountain Camp with a 4.8-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Purlear, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 53 tent camping locations near Purlear, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
