Dispersed camping near Wilkesboro, North Carolina offers access to the Pisgah National Forest where elevations range from 1,200 to 5,800 feet. The area's mixed hardwood forests provide varying degrees of shade throughout camping areas, with summer temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Most primitive sites require visitors to travel on unpaved forest roads that vary significantly in quality depending on recent rainfall and maintenance schedules.
What to do
Swimming in creek pools: At Steele Creek, multiple swimming spots provide relief during warmer months. One camper noted, "It has a couple small waterfalls to add to the ambience" and "the best swimming hole at the end of it, where you can jump in."
Mountain biking on forest roads: The network of forest service roads offers moderate to challenging terrain for mountain bikers. Near Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest, riders can access "numerous waterfalls to hike to, one of which is a short hike from the end of the road."
Wildlife viewing: Many camping areas provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Whitetop Mountain camping area, visitors can watch sunrises from above the clouds, where one camper described waking up to "ABOVE THE CLOUDS. It was absolutely stunning. The views later when the clouds cleared were spectacular."
What campers like
Ridge-top views: Campers appreciate the elevation of Old NC 105 Dispersed where "Old NC 105 is a dirt road which goes on for miles with views both sides. Camping spots are available all along the road some with better views than others." Another camper adds, "Some spots are very shaded deep into the trees while others afford superb views of the gorge and distant Lake James."
Creek-side camping: Many campers prefer sites next to moving water. One visitor to National Forest Road/Steele Creek/Nates Place described it as "spectacular, a lovely creek/river with swimming pools. Campfire rock rings. There's probably about 10 spots."
Dark night skies: Clear nights offer exceptional stargazing opportunities in many areas. Some sites provide panoramic views with minimal light pollution. One visitor mentioned, "The night sky was one of the most memorable moments from our trip. I've never seen so many stars!"
Natural sound buffers: Creek-side sites offer the added benefit of masking road noise. A camper noted, "The sound of the creek was lovely all night," helping to minimize disturbances from nearby traffic.
What you should know
Vehicle clearance requirements: Access roads vary significantly in quality. At Whitetop, "The road to this site is WILD, but doable! I'll leave photos of the worst spots to help you decide whether or not you should drive up to the top. We drove our 2WD Ford Maverick up the rocky road and it handled it just fine."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly, with fog, wind, and rain affecting camping comfort. One camper warned about Whitetop Mountain: "THE WIND IS KILLER. We ended up moving our tent to the other side of the car park at the top."
Site availability timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Steele Creek noted, "I got here late, around 5 pm on Saturday, so I had difficulty finding a spot. There was lots of sites but they were all filled up."
Water filtration: Most sites lack potable water, requiring campers to filter creek water or bring their own. A visitor cautioned, "No camp sight that I could find had access to the river that runs along this road so make sure to bring plenty of bottled water."
Tips for camping with families
Proximity to swimming holes: For family trips, sites with water access provide natural entertainment. A camper at Steele Creek reported their favorite aspect was "definitely The creek, it is a great spot to swim so we are excited about that."
Trash management: Teaching leave-no-trace principles is important as some areas have persistent litter problems. One visitor noted, "The site is very clean other than some glass that I've been picking up."
Site selection for safety: For families with young children, selecting sites away from steep drop-offs or fast-moving water sections is important. Some campsites along Old NC 105 are "right off of the road which could get annoying from all the traffic of people going to the hiking trails nearby."
Cell service planning: Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and similar areas often have limited connectivity. As one camper at Steele Creek noted, "Know that there is no signal when you are out there," so prepare children for offline activities.
Tips from RVers
Road reconnaissance: Scout access roads before bringing larger vehicles. At Upper Creek, a camper observed that "the state road was in good shape but steep narrow and lots of switch backs but well worth it."
Leveling challenges: Many primitive sites lack level parking areas. One visitor noted, "hard to find level ground" at Old NC 105, making stabilizing equipment essential for RVers.
Turning radius limitations: Forest roads often have tight switchbacks with limited turning options. A camper mentioned the roads to Steel Creek have "a few spots that you have to crawl through on the corners specifically," requiring careful navigation for longer vehicles.
