Camping near Tusquitee National Forest

Looking for the best campgrounds near Tusquitee National Forest, NC? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that North Carolina camping has to offer. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your North Carolina camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near Tusquitee National Forest (674)

    1. Murphy/Peace Valley KOA

    8 Reviews
    Murphy, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 837-6223

    "They have worked hard to upgrade the campground which is surrounded by a river. There is a large dog run area, playground, pool in season and close proximity to the town of Murphy. Beautiful area."

    "This is a great family site and it is fairly quiet, so if you are like me and you camp to GET AWAY from noise and drama, then this is the place!!"

    2. Vogel State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-2628

    $30 - $290 / night

    "Vogel State Park was perfectly situated along Hwy 19 in the north Georgia mountains for an easy spot for the night."

    "This was a great stop close to the water. Between Blood Mountain and Neels Gap, we camped for two nights at different sites. Both were primitive, non-shelter sites."

    3. Indian Boundary

    28 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 253-8400

    $20 / night

    "The lake is great for kayaking and swimming, with an easy trail around the perimeter. The gorgeous Cherohala Skyway is very close by (highly recommend!)."

    "The surrounding mountains and water were breathtaking. This camp ground is close to the water if you stay in loop A. Just a short walk the water and beach."

    4. Peachtree Cove RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Marble, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 557-2722

    $59 - $69 / night

    "Shopping is close yet still tucked away nicely in the NC mountains."

    "I informed the staff, Hana and she and her brother came to assess the situation."

    5. Persimmon Creek RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Culberson, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 644-5800

    $55 - $900 / night

    "This is a beautiful secluded site just off of Highway 64/74 not too far from the Tennessee border. The campground is very well kept and has wonderful amenities for both RV and tent campers."

    "I don't have a huge point of reference, but I can give you details on everything that was smooth

    • Location - Just off a 4 lane highway.  Convenient with easy access to your site. "

    6. Morganton Point Campground

    17 Reviews
    Morganton, GA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 374-1645

    $26 - $50 / night

    "Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by."

    "We were right next to the camp host, which was pretty nice – we didn’t have to go far to ask for wood or ice!  Plus, there were trails leading right to the lake. "

    7. Trackrock Campground & Cabins

    22 Reviews
    Blairsville, GA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-2420

    "Good sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground."

    "CAMPGROUND REVIEW As I was walking around the campground the word roughstic came to mInd. The road in was rough, the campsite was nice enough but somewhat minimal and the decor rustic."

    8. Jackrabbit Mountain

    14 Reviews
    Hayesville, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 837-5152

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Located on Lake Chatuge in both North Carolina and Georgia, you can ride right to the biking trails or launch your paddleboard right from your lakeside site.  "

    "Parking is right above the steps that go down to the tent pad. This site has direct water access for swimming and fishing. This particular site has no shade between noon and 4."

    9. Panther Top Dispersed Site

    2 Reviews
    Tusquitee National Forest, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 837-5152

    "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.)"

    "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."

    10. Rivers Edge Mountain RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Culberson, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 361-4517
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Recent Reviews near Tusquitee National Forest

2279 Reviews of 674 Tusquitee National Forest Campgrounds


  • Liz  M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Rough Creek Dispersed

    Only 2 Sites

    Gorgeous area at the end of the road. Only 2 sites and one intense drive to get here. It takes about 35 minutes to go 4 miles. Ground clearance and off road tires needed

  • Liz  M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Little Gassaway Creek

    1 Campsite off 4 x 4 Road

    Found this site on the way to another. Only one campsite and requires either off-road tires or 4 x 4

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Grumpy Bear Campground

    Nice but small

    The attraction here is the river. It is absolutely gorgeous. Riverside are small and close together.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

    Lake view but live in campers

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeelah Dispersed

    Two seperate areas

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • George M.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Mulky Campground

    Great location for fishing

    A lot of the campsites are right on the water, so it's super easy to fish. But if you want something more private, there are also some secluded spots up the road.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Trash..

    This area was easy to find with Apple Maps and T-Mobile and Verizon had signal. When we drove in it was around 9pm in a Saturday night and all sites was taken with what looked like people living there. And the road dead ends. All along the water. Tents and tarps everywhere. We found one spot not on the water and set up. Fire rings and picnic tables are at every spot. But when I woke up and it wasn't pitch black my heart broke. There was bags of trash and litter everywhere around us and tossed in the forest around us. The forest had a lot of thorns but I was able to get three large kitchen bags of trash out. From propane tanks to over twenty cans of food. Just tossed into the woods. We camp all over the United States, and this is our first place close to home and it broke my heart to see how our state treats these beautiful places. Please don't come if you don't appreciate nature enough to not use it as your trash can.

    So on Dyrt there's two sites with this name and same gps but you can follow around the lake and find the other one. Both areas are a lot alike. But definitely more fit for tent camping on the water. Park by the road and walk down sites so none fit for us since we camp in the truck. The sites all looked like the other areas around here where people very much lived there and never left, so not one site at either camping area was open.

  • S
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Yarberry Campground

    Beautiful views

    Even the non-lake site spots have lake views. Lots of nice amenities, but still rustic. My site was a little tough to back into, but worth it.

  • G F.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

    Overpriced

    Like some of the other privately managed Georgia state parks, our visit here was disappointing.

    The issues started at the welcome center. The RV parking area was full of cars, even though plenty of regular parking spots were open. When we mentioned it to staff, the response was dismissive — one employee told us, “that’s above my paygrade.”

    The restroom at the welcome center was also a low point. The toilets are stainless steel with no seats — the kind you’d expect to see in a jail — and designed so shallow that whether you sit or hover, you end up getting splashed. It’s an unpleasant and unsanitary setup.

    The campground itself felt neglected, with rotting picnic tables and a general lack of upkeep. It’s also isolated from the rest of the park — there isn’t even a connector trail from the camping area to a single hiking trail, which makes it feel cut off from the very amenities most people come for. At $60 a night, you’d expect at least a basic map of the trails and amenities, but instead you’re told to snap a photo of a cardboard display. That felt like corner-cutting.

    One memorable (and concerning) part of the stay was the bear activity. In September, several bears came through the campground, startling tent campers who had to retreat inside their cars for safety.

    All in all, while the natural setting of Amicalola Falls is beautiful, the way the park is managed left the overall experience underwhelming and, at times, frustrating.


Guide to Tusquitee National Forest

Camping near Tusquitee National Forest, 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 numerous trails in the area. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer noting, "The area is very beautiful and a hiker's paradise. Several trails and waterfalls, for example, the AT, are nearby."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. Campers have mentioned, "The dock and the fishing were very nice and great areas to go boating close by."
  • Swimming: Some campgrounds have access to swimming areas. One visitor shared, "The beach area is great with a beautiful Mountain View."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. A reviewer said about Moccasin Creek State Park Campground, "The bathrooms are extremely clean. There are super nice camp hosts and volunteers that make sure everything is top-notch."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. One camper at Indian Boundary mentioned, "The staff are super friendly at the camp store. They helped us stay up to date on the forecast since we were staying in a tent with two young children."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Chilhowee Recreation Area noted, "The views are killer! You won't be disappointed!"

What you should know:

  • Narrow Roads: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. A camper at Vogel State Park Campground mentioned, "Roads are smooth but narrow in some places."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or extensive facilities. One reviewer at Gee Creek Campground said, "The campground itself is kind of lame—there is plenty to do outside of it."
  • Crowded During Peak Times: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Abrams Creek Campground noted, "The place was packed on the Sunday we stayed there."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. One family at Gee Creek Campground said, "The kids loved the playground, and the fairytale story walk."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Choose campgrounds that offer activities for all ages. A reviewer at Unicoi State Park & Lodge mentioned, "Nice hiking trails from the campground. Ruby Falls was so beautiful—highly recommend."
  • Safety: Keep an eye on the kids, especially in busy campgrounds. One camper at Thunder Rock Campground advised, "The loops where the tent sites are can be quite busy, so keep an eye on the kiddos."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campground's site sizes. A reviewer at Indian Boundary noted, "If you’re around 40’, you’ll fit—but anything over probably would not."
  • Reservations: Make reservations ahead of time, especially on weekends. A camper at Chilhowee Recreation Area said, "Make reservations online as it fills up on the weekends."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. One RV traveler at Thunder Rock Campground mentioned, "The shower house is always clean, and for $15, it is a great deal."

Camping near Tusquitee National Forest, North Carolina, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Tusquitee National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, Tusquitee National Forest offers a wide range of camping options, with 674 campgrounds and RV parks near Tusquitee National Forest and 62 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Tusquitee National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tusquitee National Forest is Murphy/Peace Valley KOA with a 5-star rating from 8 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tusquitee National Forest?

What parks are near Tusquitee National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Tusquitee National Forest that allow camping, notably Croatan National Forest and Nantahala National Forest.