Top Free Dispersed Camping near Scaly Mountain, NC

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Scaly Mountain, NC (52)

Showing results 1-10 of 52 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Scaly Mountain

112 Reviews of 52 Scaly Mountain Campgrounds


  • Darwin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Grave Gap Campsite
    Nov. 1, 2024

    Indian Grave Gap Campsite

    ADV Bike Motocamping

    If you’re anywhere near Helen, GA on an ADV Bike, this summit is for you. There are three routes up the mountain so you never have to double back. There are more primitive sites at the top of the mountain (not where the Dyrt pin was dropped) on both sides of the fork. Suitable for tents and hammocks. There is one site that would support a large group or even a camper (or two) if you can get them up the steep rocky hunting trail. Sites were mostly clean with rock fire pits.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Soggy Boot Campground
    Oct. 19, 2024

    Soggy Boot Campground

    good camp sites

    the directions get you to the general area fine. the campsites are hard to find in the dark - we ended up just stopping at the first clearing from a fork on the gravel road we saw to set up a tent. road is very bumpy, there’s a stream near some of the spots , we looked for a fire ring where we stopped in the morning and didn’t see one.

  • Gillian S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Grave Gap Campsite
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Indian Grave Gap Campsite

    Good for Big Groups

    Three campsites in the immediate area. Two are on one side of the road. You have to cross thru one to get to the other. All three have creek access. We picked the single on the other side. Not a lot of flat ground options. Each site is huge. We decided to spread out but that meant having to do a lot of walking back and forth for stuff. You can pull your car into the site easily. It’s about a mile from the High Shoals Trailhead. Both waterfalls are lovely. One has a nice swimming hole. The closest town is Hiawasee. Had a grocery and an outfitters if you need supplies. There’s only two sit down restaurants—one had an hour wait; the other had run out of food.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Balsam Knob - Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Black Balsam Knob - Dispersed Camping

    10/10

    I actually cannot stop thinking about my weekend camp here. So beautiful and lots of places to camp. Not a hard hike in either. A lot of day hikers through out the day. Lots of flies bc of dog poop but it’s worth it.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mountain Rest Mountain Top
    Aug. 12, 2024

    Mountain Rest Mountain Top

    Hilltop camping with hiking trails

    Great spot with room to turn around. Shaded and at trailhead of a trail down to creek and near a second trail to a waterfall. Had a few people during the day but evenings were totally quiet. A bit of extra vehicle clearance is helpful...slow and steady gets you to a great spot. No services here but good dispersed spot.

  • Dylan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 475b
    Jun. 2, 2024

    475b

    Isolated spot for car camping or tent camping

    Road is a little rough but not terrible. 3-4 spots to park around this hairpin with 3 camping spots lotuses in the middle. Little runoff creates a creek that is nice to listen to but only deep enough to get feet in.

  • Forrest S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 475b
    May. 23, 2024

    475b

    Several walk up sites with easy access

    This is a great first-come-first-serve location with several sites.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Panther Top Dispersed Site
    May. 17, 2024

    Panther Top Dispersed Site

    Amazing spot with GREAT views

    I had 3 bars of AT&T which worked well. The view from the shore was amazing and in my opinion comparable to some spots in Hawaii. It was nice and quiet, chilly at night, and not too far from murphy. We also hiked up to a nearby fire tower and it was a fun little hike. 10/10 will be returning.

    (I just got a new drone and I made a fun little video of the campsite and the hike we did.)

  • Adam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mills River Dispersed
    Apr. 20, 2024

    Mills River Dispersed

    Theft

    They have a long term camper they refuse to run off and he will steal from you. Camp at your own risk, watch your stuff like a hawk. I'd really recommend Sunburst or Big Ivy instead of North Mills really.

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wash Creek Dispersed Pull-Off
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Wash Creek Dispersed Pull-Off

    Great overnight stay near Blue Ridge Parkway

    Although this is not an official camp site, I arrived later than intended and with no other campsites open, I stayed the night here. There’s a stream that runs along the clearing, making some great natural white noise for sleeping. The forest road is very bumpy and narrow, but high clearance is not needed. Very low light pollution and the bare trees allowed for some great star gazing.

  • amanda R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Great site!

    This was such a nice quiet campground. We arrived around 8am and got the first campsite we saw. This is the most established dispersed campsite that I’ve stayed at as it has a fire circle, a grill and a picnic table. It’s very quiet and very few cars passed. There’s a walking/hiking trail across the lake where we saw some hikers and some people on horseback. The site was very clean minus a few pieces of trash that we later picked up. The dogs loved it because our site was right on the lake. We drove down the gravel road to check out the other campsites and they all seem great if you’re tent camping! We car camped and our campsite was perfect because it had a parking space right in front of it whereas the other sites had parking spaces across the road. Overall a great place. I can’t wait to go back!

  • H
    Camper-submitted photo from Wash Creek Dispersed Site #2
    Mar. 10, 2024

    Wash Creek Dispersed Site #2

    Roomy spot in middle of nowhere

    It is a roomy site immediately off the road, a surprisingly well maintained gravel road. My class C had no problems making its way along and fitting in the roomy semicircle next to the tent and fire pit pad. There is a babbling brook next to the site for great ambience. We were able to fit our 30ft motorhome and car into the site with no problem. But avoid blocking the emergency access road to the side. Also, be prepared to completely disconnect from civilization since you can't even make calls here. Beautiful site to relax!

  • Natalie R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Santeelah
    Feb. 9, 2024

    Lake Santeelah

    Quiet, nice spaces, and clean!

    Such a great find! I was hoping to car camp a little closer to NOC but not in a campground but this is the closest I could find in February. I would definitely stay here again! Very quiet and clean and the sites are very well laid out and maintained! No hook ups of any kind but it’s worth it! Highway Patrol and Park Rangers patrol pretty frequently so I felt really safe as a solo female. I still took all the safety precautions but didn’t feel as necessary as some.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Falls Creek
    Nov. 16, 2023

    Falls Creek

    Nice secluded spot

    There is room for two vehicles and multiple tent spots. Very secluded and fairly level. Overall a great spot. If it had an epic view I would have it at 5 stars. River is about .6 mile hike away and the road is not bad getting in. Basically 2 track forest road.

  • WDRoberson The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Santeelah
    Nov. 7, 2023

    Lake Santeelah

    Well maintained free camping

    We were fortunate to get a site that allowed us to pull the car right into the site for our roof top tent. Not very far to walk to reach the lake and the fishing wasn’t bad at all. Bass and Bluegills. Fairly quiet besides the rice burners heading to Tail of the Dragon. Very good overall.

  • Robert W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Santeelah
    Oct. 27, 2023

    Lake Santeelah

    Stunning 😍

    GPS coordinates got me exactly to where I wanted to go. Lots of twists and turns going up the dragon with beautiful scenery of the trees changing colors in late October. There are a handful of Lots located right along the lake with a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance. My dog absolutely loved how much space she had to roam around and how clear the water was excellent for swimming.

    Some of the plots you can only fit one tent others you could fit up to three or four

  • Robert N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Panther Top Dispersed Site
    Sep. 9, 2023

    Panther Top Dispersed Site

    Panther Top Dispersed

    Great spot right on the little lake. You can hear the gun range from the Camp Spot, but it is barely noticeable. There are two main spots right on the lake that are set up for tent camping. My overland rig fit in the small parking area fine, but I had to find a few rocks to level my truck so the rooftop tent was level. It is obviously a spot that locals come to party on the weekends but I had no issues. There looks like there are only 2 primary camping spots with fire rings and tent pads. My spot had a picnic table and two tent pads, a pole for your lantern and was just feet from the lake. Lots of fish jumping and I caught a 1 pound large mouth bass on a silver spinning lure. Over all a great spot. No bugs, but you will likely need to bring firewood, as all of the fallen trees had been scavenged. Since there are only two spot, definitely have a backup plan, especially on the weekends.

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5
    Jul. 25, 2023

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great camping spot

    First the sight is beautiful and most have a beautiful trout stream close by when navigating if using Apple Maps pay attention to where it is routing you mine wanted me to walk through the woods for an hour to get here it’s easier to find if you navigate to north mill’s campground first second there are signs about being a high crime area and they are not kidding while I was out picking up a few things at ingles someone came by and took my tent and sleeping bag that was inside I wouldn’t leave anything valuable to mark it as your sight and I have T mobile and I lost service about 10 mins from the campground and had no signal while staying there

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed
    Jul. 20, 2023

    Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed

    Very Dispersed

    It was a great site, although there are only a few campsites on the road to it. We ended up driving to the top and someone already claimed it, so we had to go back down to a less convenient spot. The campsites are very secluded and quiet.

  • Steve K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
    Jul. 16, 2023

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Field test truck camping

    First site(L1)was open so I took it. I spent two nights there. First time dispersed camping in National Forest and truck camping. Even though I've been camping my whole life, all my equipment was new so it was a learning experience. 😁 Parking was pretty level, but behind my rear wheels it declined toward the lake. The tent pad, picnic table and fire ring was on level ground. It was really quiet during the day, but there were some very loud frogs(?) during the night, enough to wake you up. 2nd night I played music and I slept good. Lol If your GPS says that you have reached your destination, you probably have passed the gravel road. Once on gravel road, veer to the right and you will pass the cemetery on your left, then you'll see kiosk. Sign shows you have to register there at the kiosk. I enjoyed my time there and hopefully can go back again this year. Hope y'all are enjoying the great outdoors. LIV'N!

  • Dai C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed
    Jul. 1, 2023

    Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed

    Gorgeous group camping area

    Beautiful free group camping area with large parkinglot. All dirt roads back here. Beautiful waterfall (whaleback falls I think?) just a quick 15 minute walk across the river and up the trail (follow Daniel ridge trail loop from parking lot). Not much free fall action for nature bathers, though there is enough water flow to lean in and get all that grease out of your hair! Big boulders to climb on at the base of the falls.. be careful as wet rocks are slippery. Serene and gorgeous forest all around you.

    Zero phone connection whatsoever (T Mobile 5g / LTE). Greater earth love connection a thousandfold. Highly recommend.

    <3



Guide to Scaly Mountain

Camping near Scaly Mountain, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails around the area. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities. One visitor at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground said, "Nice trails with beautiful scenery, the hike to the base of the Gorge is strenuous but worth it."
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Devils Fork State Park Campground is a great spot. A camper mentioned, "The lake was beautiful, and there are plenty of smallmouth bass to be claimed."
  • Water Activities: For those who love water, Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell offers a fantastic swimming spot. One reviewer noted, "We had our own private swimming spot with steps into the water."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground said, "The comfort station was clean and well-appointed."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer at Oconee State Park Campground shared, "The staff is so kind, and the garbage pick-up twice a day is great!"
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful landscapes. A visitor at Table Rock State Park Campground remarked, "The views are amazing."

What you should know:

  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are closer together than others. A camper at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground noted, "The sites are a little closer to each other than what I'm used to."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups. A visitor at Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "A bigger RV may not be able to make the trip."
  • Cell Service: Some areas have poor cell reception. A camper at Deep Creek Campground stated, "No cell service. You have to go to the camp store for any service."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. One family at Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA enjoyed, "Oversize lawn games and several playgrounds for the kids."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A camper at Oconee State Park Campground mentioned, "There are many adventures in the area to be had, waterfalls, hiking, history, and other state parks."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outings. A visitor at Table Rock State Park Campground suggested, "Bring your own firewood and there isn’t much laying around to pick up."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell noted, "The orientation and split-level site weren’t an issue for tents, but tricky for trailers."
  • Be Prepared for Steep Roads: Some campgrounds have steep access roads. A visitor at Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "The roads in the campground are steep and hilly."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A camper at Devils Fork State Park Campground said, "Make sure you bring a good headband light or strong flashlight."

Camping near Scaly Mountain, North Carolina, offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Scaly Mountain, NC?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Scaly Mountain, NC is Blue Valley Dispersed Camping with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Scaly Mountain, NC?

    TheDyrt.com has all 52 dispersed camping locations near Scaly Mountain, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.