Stone Mountain State Park Campground offers extensive camping options situated in the mountainous terrain of northwestern North Carolina. Located about 15 miles from Scottville, the campground sits at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 2,300 feet, providing cooler summer temperatures than lower-elevation camping areas. The park encompasses 14,100 acres of forest with several streams and waterfalls throughout the property.
What to do
Hiking with varied difficulty levels: Stone Mountain State Park has trails for all skill levels connecting various natural features. "The Stone Mountain loop... is incredible! Long and strenuous but all ages were hiking it...homestead was so neat to walk around at the base of the mountain," notes one visitor at Stone Mountain State Park Campground.
Fishing in mountain streams: Trout fishing is popular at Hurricane Campground, where one camper mentioned, "This is a beautiful campground located alongside a stream with trout fishing." The campground offers easy access to fishing spots directly from campsites.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds provide opportunities for deer spotting. At Stone Mountain State Park, one visitor described "a roaring large creek that flows behind the site and a grassy field full of deer beside it." For more adventurous wildlife experiences, Grayson Highlands near Hickory Ridge Campground is known for its wild ponies.
What campers like
River activities: The New River provides multiple water recreation options across several campgrounds. At New River State Park, campers appreciate the waterfront access: "Every spot here is close to the river! The gentle sound of the New river is the most peaceful sound!" Another camper highlighted the "miles and miles of blue way" available to explore.
Cool mountain temperatures: Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers higher-elevation glamping close to Scottville, North Carolina with significantly cooler summer temperatures. One camper noted, "Not only is the weather so much cooler in the summer there (70-80 in July!), it's just a wonderful, down to earth place to be."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathhouses across the region. One visitor to Blue Bear Mountain Camp wrote, "This is by far the cleanest bathhouse I have ever seen. They show great attention to this campground and make sure all their campers are happy."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Hurricane Campground runs from April 15 to October 31, while others like Stone Mountain State Park remain open throughout the year.
Cell service limitations: Limited connectivity is common at higher-elevation sites. One visitor to Grindstone Campground observed, "There is no cell phone service. The campsite is wooded and the spaces are distanced well... If you want to escape it all, this campground is for you!"
Water hookup access: Blue Bear Mountain Camp doesn't offer direct water hookups at campsites. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several areas offer specific attractions for children. At Hungry Mother State Park, one visitor mentioned, "Plenty to keep kids and adults alike entertained, whether it's exploring the homestead area, looking for ponies, taking short hikes, geocaching, or playing games on the open field area."
Educational opportunities: Multiple parks feature interpretive centers with children's activities. A visitor to Hungry Mother State Park reported, "The amenities cannot be missed - beach with bath house and snack bar, interpretive center with children's activities."
Sites with play areas: Some campgrounds include playground features. At Stone Mountain State Park, a camper noted, "There is a nice area for a picnic with swings and other things for kids."
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. When visiting Riverside Canoe and Campground, an RVer advised, "GPS was dead on" for finding the site, suggesting reliable navigation is available.
Dump station availability: Most RV-friendly campgrounds in the area provide dump stations, but services vary. At New River State Park, one camper mentioned, "For noobs like us there weren't instructions at the dump site," highlighting the need for experienced RVers to come prepared.
Site selection: When booking RV sites, look for size and privacy details. At Stone Mountain State Park, a camper observed, "I chose a site that had water and electric hook-ups," and noted that "the campsites are mostly level, well maintained and have tent pads, tables and fire rings."