Best Tent Camping near W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
Several tent camping options surround W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir in North Carolina, with campgrounds ranging from primitive backcountry sites to more established facilities. Growing Faith Farms & Retreat offers tent camping with drinking water, showers, and toilets in a reservable setting near Moravian Falls. Basin Cove on the Blue Ridge Parkway provides free primitive tent camping with designated fire rings but requires a permit from the park office.
Most primitive tent campsites near W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir require preparation and self-sufficiency. Basin Cove tent sites require a one-mile hike from the parking area along a riverside trail, with no vehicle access permitted. Campers must bring water filtration systems as no clean water sources are available at the primitive sites. Fire pits and basic log seating are provided, but there are no picnic tables at most primitive locations. Several campgrounds maintain pit toilets, though amenities vary significantly between established and backcountry locations.
Tent campers frequently use Basin Cove as a base camp for day hikes on surrounding trails. The area provides relatively flat terrain that works well for beginner backcountry tent camping experiences while still offering a sense of wilderness. Sites are well-spaced to provide privacy, though the Blue Ridge Parkway location sees day hikers passing through during morning and midday hours. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, tent sites are positioned on higher elevation terrain, offering cooler summer temperatures compared to surrounding areas. A visitor remarked, "The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat."
