Best Tent Camping near Purlear, NC
The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Purlear, North Carolina offer diverse tent camping options within a short drive. Blue Bear Mountain Camp in nearby Todd provides spacious tent-only sites with both drive-in and walk-in options. Their primitive tent sites are particularly secluded, with staff available to help transport gear to remote locations. Basin Cove along the Blue Ridge Parkway offers tent-only backcountry camping with required permits and a one-mile hike to reach the sites. Mortimer Campground in Pisgah National Forest, about 30 minutes from Purlear, features walk-in tent sites that provide more privacy than the drive-in areas.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require preparation for variable mountain conditions. Tent sites at Blue Bear Mountain Camp are set on level ground with some backed into wooded areas for additional privacy. Access roads to many campgrounds can be challenging, with several campers noting Blue Bear's entrance road requires high-clearance vehicles. Basin Cove requires hikers to carry all supplies for the mile-long trek to the campsite, including water filtration equipment as no clean water source is available. Fire rings are common at most sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Pit toilets are available at some backcountry locations, but many primitive tent sites have no facilities.
Tent campers frequently mention the exceptional night skies visible from higher elevation sites. One visitor to Blue Bear Mountain Camp reported "the night sky was incredible with little to no light pollution." According to reviews, Basin Cove's tent sites are "well spread out so there is enough room for privacy" and are positioned near creeks where "it's fun to hear the water at night." The walk-in tent sites at Mortimer Campground provide better seclusion than the drive-in areas, with proximity to multiple swimming holes and hiking trails. Campers at Basin Cove note it's "far enough that you won't find high-maintenance campers or crowds" making it ideal for those seeking authentic backcountry tent camping experiences.