Places to Camp in North Carolina

Best Camping Sites in North Carolina (926)

1. 

   1.

   Davidson River Campground

   79 Reviews

   236 Photos

   754 Saves

   Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

   Overview

   Davidson River Recreation Area offers camping and outdoor activities for the whole family. The campground boasts several loops of shaded campsites, as well as access to hiking trails, fishing spots, waterfalls and several nearby attractions within Pisgah National Forest. It lies just four miles west of the town of Brevard and less than an hour from the city of Asheville. The facility is open year-round. Learn more here to prepare for your trip.__

   Recreation

   The forest is known for its hiking trails, several of which are near the campground. Hikers can challenge themselves with the 12.3-mile Art Loeb Trail, the 3.7-mile North Slope Trail or a 1.5-mile walking trail. The Davidson River offers excellent trout fishing, plus tubing and swimming, which are kid-friendly favorite activities. Visitors wishing to learn more about the area can attend educational programs in summer and fall.

   Facilities

   Campsites are organized into eight loops and some are adjacent to the water. Sites are mostly shaded and equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. The facility also provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets in each loop. Campers can purchase ice and firewood on-site and rent bikes nearby.

   Natural Features

   The campground is located in Pisgah National Forest at an elevation of 2,150 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers. The group camping area is adjacent to the beautiful Davidson River.

   contact_info

   For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-4558.

   Nearby Attractions

   Several natural and cultural attractions are within close proximity to the campground. Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway are among the more popular sites. The small town of Brevard offers various amenities and services, and visitors can take a trip to Asheville to visit art galleries, shops and restaurants.

   Charges & Cancellations

   Any cancellations must be taken care of directly with recreation.gov. Note that this facility does not provide refunds for No Shows or incliment weather.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • RVs
   • Tents

   $35 / night

2. 

   2.

   Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

   74 Reviews

   204 Photos

   554 Saves

   Nags Head, North Carolina

   Overview

   Oregon Inlet Campground is the northernmost campground on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. When camping here, you are within a short distance of the full service town of Nags Head to the north, and the world class fishing at Oregon Inlet to the south.

   Recreation

   The beach adjacent to the campground can be reached by foot from your campsite as well as by vehicle with a Cape Hatteras Off-Road Vehicle Permit. Popular activities include fishing, swimming, surfing, birding, and shell hunting. The calmer waters of the sound to the west of the campground can be accessed at the public boat launch at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. Popular sound side opportunities include crabbing, clamming, paddle-boarding, boating, and fishing.

   Facilities

   Each of the three loops in the campground have a bath house with flush toilets, potable water, and heated outdoor showers. Each campsite has a paved parking pad, picnic table, and charcoal grill. There are limited sites with RV hook-ups. A dump and water fill station are located directly across Highway 12 at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, and are free of charge for campers.

   Natural Features

   The campground is located on the east side of the barrier island, just a short walk through the dunes to the expansive waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Sea Oats and other native flowering plants blanket the dunes providing a picturesque backdrop for your camping experience.

   contact_info

   For facility specific information, please call (252) 475-9018.

   Nearby Attractions

   The historic Bodie Island Lighthouse is approximately four miles north of Oregon Inlet Campground on NC Highway 12. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is open seasonally for self-guided climbs. Climb tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and can only be purchased from www.recreation.gov. Tickets go on sale at 7am for that day's climbs only. Tickets may only be purchased on the same day of your intended climb. Coquina Beach Day Use Area is located directly across HWY 12 from the Bodie Island Lighthouse access road. The day use area provides a vehicle free beach perfect for families. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Coquina Beach is staffed with lifeguards to ensure the safety of visitors. Other amenities at Coquina Beach include a bathhouse with outdoor cold showers, flush toilet restrooms, water fountains, and a boardwalk to the beach.

   Charges & Cancellations

   Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: A service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation.

   • Pets
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group

   $35 / night

3. 

   3.

   Carolina Beach State Park Campground

   70 Reviews

   195 Photos

   561 Saves

   Carolina Beach, North Carolina

   Not all campsites have identical amenities. Read the campsite information on the reservations website to see photos of campsites; check availability and fees; find out whether a specific site is wheelchair accessible, has access to water, bathouses or pit toilets, or has electric hookup; and learn other important information.

   Tent, trailer and RV camping The park's family campground is located in a wooded area near Snow's Cut.

   There are 69 campsites with no hook-ups, including two wheelchair-accessible sites. Ten campsites have full hookups (water, electric and sewer), including one wheelchair-accessible site.

   Each site is equipped with a picnic table and grill or fire ring. Drinking water and restrooms with hot showers are located nearby.

   Camper cabins In addition to the 79 campsites, the park has four camper cabins located in the family campground. These camping cabins sleep six people in two rooms, one with a double bed and one with two sets of bunk beds. Each cabin has electrical outlets and a heating and air-conditioning unit. Outside each cabin, there is a picnic table, charcoal grill and a fire ring. Drinking water and restrooms with hot showers are located nearby.

   Group camping There are also two camping areas for organized groups located along Swamp Trail and are available by reservation only. Site #1 accommodates up to 26 people; site #2 accommodates up to 40 people. These areas include two picnic tables, grills/fire rings and pit toilets. Water and shower facilities are not available. This area is accessible only by foot and is located approximately 400 yards from the Flytrap Trail parking area. Reservations can be made by contacting the park marina office.

   With a marina providing access to some of North Carolina's best fishing spots, a secluded camping area beneath towering trees, and miles of hiking trails that traverse a variety of distinct habitats—not to mention the presence of the Venus flytrap, one of the world's most unique carnivorous plants—it's no wonder Carolina Beach State Park is a popular coastal attraction. Beach Camping NC is located in an area steeped in both history and natural diversity, the park includes a visitor's center with exhibits depicting the wonders of its environment.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access

   $23 - $55 / night

4. 

   4.

   Lake Powhatan Campground

   60 Reviews

   188 Photos

   835 Saves

   Enka, North Carolina

   Overview

   Located just minutes from the popular city of Asheville, North Carolina, Lake Powhatan Glamping is the perfect, all inclusive getaway. The campground is convenient to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including art and music venues, shopping, breweries, restaurants, and scenic drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Onsite you'll enjoy numerous hiking and biking trails as well as lakeside recreational opportunities. Learn more to prepare for your trip HERE .__ The custom designed glamping sites are brand new at Lake Powhatan! Choose one of 12 fully furnished canvas platform tents in the heart of the national forest for your next mountain adventure. Experience nature and outdoor recreation without sacrificing the comforts and luxuries of home. Learn more about glamping near Asheville .

   Recreation

   Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, wading and tubing is also nearby. The use of personal watercraft in the lake is STRICTLY PROHIBITED due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem.__ The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails (44 miles of them!), several of which are located near the campground.__

   Facilities

   Check-in time begins at 4pm. Check-out time is 11am. Glamping check-in is two hours later and check-out an hour earlier than regular campsites. This is to ensure proper cleaning of the glampsites. The shaded, private campsites are organized into four loops, all within walking distance of the lake. The 12 glamping sites are available in the upper Hardtimes Loop. The facility provides fully furnished platform tents, picnic tables, charging station, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, in addition to restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Visitors can purchase ice and firewood at the gatehouse.__ The power units have approximately 1000Wh (12.0V, 1,000Ah). They are excellent for recharging phones, laptops, and tablets, illuminating small lights, etc. They are not intended for heavy uses of heaters, large fans, cooking equipment or other heavy electronics. Units cannot be recharged quickly (once the power unit is drained it takes 18 hours to re-charge), so guests should use the power available conservatively. Charge times for various devices are located on the units and if damage or impairment of the normal operation of the unit occurs guests will be liable.____ Group parties or special events are not permitted. Be aware that quiet hours begin at 10:00 p.m.__ Due to the natural outdoor environment and the fabrics and canvas of the tent, as well as comfort for future guests, we do not allow smoking inside the tent or on the tent porch.__ Please also be considerate and remove dirty/muddy shoes or boots on the tent porch.__

   Natural Features

   The campground is situated in a heavily wooded area on the banks of Lake Powhatan in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. The elevation is 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers.

   contact_info

   For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-7278.

   Nearby Attractions

   Among the more popular nearby destinations are Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, The NC Arboretum and the Biltmore Estate.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group

   $100 - $130 / night

5. 

   5.

   Stone Mountain State Park Campground

   54 Reviews

   289 Photos

   268 Saves

   Roaring Gap, North Carolina

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access

   $23 / night

6. 

   6.

   Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

   54 Reviews

   150 Photos

   354 Saves

   Ocracoke, North Carolina

   Overview

   Located in the famous Outer Banks area of the stunning North Carolina coast, this campground is perfect for a beach getaway trip.

   Recreation

   The seashore provides a place for active recreation or for quiet reflection. Campers can visit a lighthouse, look for seashells, go fishing and clamming or just sit back and enjoy the peace and beauty of the white sandy beaches. More active recreational activities include swimming, kayaking and windsurfing. Bird and wildlife viewing is also a popular pastime for campers. The seashore provides a home and habitat for creatures large and small, on land and in the water.

   Facilities

   Ocracoke Campground is only accessible by ferry or aircraft. Campsites are located on sandy soil, so campers are encouraged to bring extra long tent stakes. Flush toilets, drinking water, cold showers and grills are all provided for a more comfortable beach camping experience. The campground is conveniently located on the ocean side, separated from the beach by barrier dunes.

   Natural Features

   Ocracoke Campground sits on a barrier island along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The shore a recreational oasis for beach lovers. This ribbon of sand provides some of the most dazzling scenery that the Atlantic coast has to offer.

   contact_info

   For facility specific information, please call (252) 475-9018.

   Nearby Attractions

   Nearby Ocracoke Village offers restaurants, gift shops, grocery stores, a gas station and tackle shop.

   • Pets
   • Phone Service
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group
   • Standard (Tent/RV)

   $28 / night

7. 

   7.

   Hanging Rock State Park Campground

   51 Reviews

   219 Photos

   359 Saves

   Danbury, North Carolina

   Just 30 miles north of Winston-Salem, Hanging Rock State Park is located in the Sauratown Mountain Range. Named for the early Saura peoples who once inhabited the area, this range towers over the surrounding country, with peaks reaching nearly 2600 feet in elevation. The park derives its name from the large quartzite escarpment that “hangs” over the valley below. Established in 1936, the park initially encompassed 3100 acres, but has grown to 7900 acres since 2015. With its proximity to the suburban areas of Stokes County, the park serves as a backyard playground for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, rock climbers, paddlers, anglers and campers.

   The 73-site campground in Hanging Rock State Park is an ideal basecamp for enjoying all the outdoor activities the park has to offer. Campsites can accommodate tents, popups and limited RVs; there are no hookups or dump stations at this location. Each site is equipped with picnic tables, grills and tent pads. Drinking water is available at several locations in the campground, and there are two bathhouses with hot showers. There are also five primitive group campsites with picnic tables and fire circles; drinking water and vault toilets are available nearby. If you don’t feel like roughing it, the park also offers 10 vacation cabins. Each of these are equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping accommodations for up to six.

   When you’re ready to play, there are more than 20 miles of multiuse trails in Hanging Rock State Park for hiking, biking and riding. Trails vary in length and difficulty, so drop by the visitor center and pick up a trail map. For the mobility impaired, there is a 0.1-mile path to the Rock Garden. Anglers can enjoy casting for bass, sunfish, and catfish either by boat or wading on the park’s small lake. Canoe and rowboat rentals are available for paddling on the lake, or you can bring your own gear for paddling or fishing on the Dan River. Rock climbing is permitted on the 400-foot-high Cook’s Wall and Moore’s Wall. For just kicking it under the trees, the park has several picnic areas, as well as an exhibit hall and concession stand.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access
   • RVs

   $19 - $95 / night

8. 

    Instant Book

   8.

   Spacious Skies Bear Den

   48 Reviews

   654 Photos

   117 Saves

   Spruce Pine, North Carolina

   Set right off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 324.8, among the breathtaking Blue Ridge and Black Mountains and nestled in the Pisgah National Forest, Spacious Skies Bear Den is your mountain adventure destination!

   While most of our sites are full hook-up, we have water/electric spots for a more rustic camping experience or for our tent campers. We also offer cabins in an array of sizes and with varied amenities, ensuring we have the perfect spot that meets each family or group’s needs.

   When you arrive at your site or cabin, breathe in the serene beauty of the Pisgah National Forest, of which Spacious Skies Bear Den is a part. Leave your stress behind as you explore 13 miles of wooded hiking trails, some leading to waterfalls on the park grounds. Playgrounds, a rec hall, arcade, basketball, volleyball, and a swimming lake with a separate fishing area will keep campers of all ages occupied. A camp store stocked with necessities and treats alike, bathhouses, laundry on-site and WiFi all bring the comforts of home to your campsite.

   We are proud to announce our partnership with Black Folks Camp Too and are now the first “unity blaze certified” collection of private campgrounds!

   Being Unity Blaze Certified confirms that all 15 of our campgrounds and our team are committed to making sure all campers know “You are Invited and Welcomed” — the Unity Blaze motto. While Spacious Skies has always firmly held this belief, we wanted to go one step further in partnering with BFCT to make sure all campground staff completed the Unity Blaze training program.

   Please navigate to our website for up to date information regarding our amenities.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • RVs

   $28 - $252 / night

9. 

   9.

   Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

   51 Reviews

   433 Photos

   403 Saves

   Cherokee, North Carolina

   Overview

   Situated in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this sunny group camp offers an ideal setting for camping excursions. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, this is America's most visited national park.

   Recreation

   Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails, including The Smokemont Loop Trail and the Bradley Fork Trail, accessible from the camp. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance. The nearby Bradley Fork River provides a great place to splash in the stream or fish for trout. Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.

   Facilities

   Smokemont Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks. The campsites can accommodate up to 20 guests and provides tent pads, grills and fire rings. There is also a flat, grassy area that is perfect for group activities like football, volleyball or simply soaking up the sun.

   Natural Features

   Smokemont Group Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, blanketed in wildflowers during the spring and bursting with vivid foliage in the fall. At 2,200 feet, Smokemont provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the pre-historic Paleo Indians to early 19th century European settlers, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.

   Nearby Attractions

   The adjacent Smokemont Campground provides additional camping facilities for smaller groups. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village and Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, located six miles away in Cherokee, North Carolina, provides cultural and historical information about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee also provides grocery stores and fuel.

   Charges & Cancellations

   Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group
   • Equestrian

   $50 / night

10. 

    10.

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    49 Reviews

    113 Photos

    201 Saves

    B. Everett Jordan Lake, North Carolina

    Poplar Point offers 579 sites for RV and tent camping; 363 sites have water and electric hookups. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, and lantern holder. Showers, restrooms, trash containers and a dump station are conveniently located. Please note that all sites at Poplar Point Loop E are walk-up and can be booked only when you arrive at the campground.

    Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of nine access areas scattered around the shoreline of this undeveloped, 14,000-acre reservoir. More than 1,000 campsites among five of the access areas offer a range of outdoor experience from RV hookups to primitive tent camping and group camps. There are seven swim beaches in the recreation area and a number of boating ramps, with some swim areas and ramps reserved for campers. Nearly 14 miles of hiking trails wind across the hilly lakeshore, with most of them offering easy, brief hikes perfect for family outings. Spotting bald eagles and osprey is just one of many opportunities to view wildlife, and the lake’s ecology is further explored in the visitor center exhibit hall.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $33 - $65 / night