Best Dispersed Camping near Conestee, SC

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Conestee, SC

39 Reviews of 21 Conestee Campgrounds

• 

  Myron C.

  Legend

  Aug. 1, 2021

  Blue Ridge Roadside Campsites

  Free Camping but Lots of Foot Traffic

  There are two great things about this campsite. It’s free, and it is close to great views of the mountains near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located off of Highway 215, you do hear road noise, but that is not too much of a problem. During the day, you get a lot of day use hikers since the largest campsite is right beside the trail. There is a large flat area to set your tent if you are lucky enough to be the first one there, and there is a fire pit. Beyond that, there are no facilities. You can hear the sounds of water all night long from Flat Laurel Creek. The last time I was in that area, I tried to cross Flat Laurel Creek over slippery rocks against my better judgment, and the weather was in the upper 30s. I fell, got soaked, and nearly froze to death. This time, it was summer and I learned to cross in my bare feet despite the fact that the rocks were dry this time. The trail eventually takes you to Sam’s Knob, which offers beautiful views, and there is lots of scenery along the way. This campsite is fairly high in elevation, so it gets cool at night. Don’t make the mistake of taking a summer sleeping bag. You could, but you take a chance of being cold even during the peak of summer. This is not a good place for RVs or travel trailers. It is mainly for tent camping even though you do not have to hike in. Just make sure to take water or a water filter. Overall, I recommend this campsite if you are going to hike somewhere else during the day. However, you will not get solitude of any kind here because of all the day hikers.

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• 

  Myron C.

  Legend

  Nov. 5, 2020

  Black Balsam Knob - Dispersed Camping

  Dispersed Camping with Great Views Close

  Although you can camp just about anywhere in Pisgah National Forest, there are specific sites near the trailhead to Sam Knob. This area is known as Black Balsam. There are no RV sites, and you have to hike about a hundred yards or less to the sites, unless you camp on the bald. The sites had lots of roots, so it was difficult to find a level site without roots all over the area. With that said, it is a good place to camp, and it is just a short walk to the pit toilet, which is also at the trailhead. There are fire pits, but there are no lantern hangers or tent pads. Expect to hear lots of cars and people during the busy months about 200 feet away. Because of that, a better place to stay is at the top of Sam Knob, which you can do. That was a better choice for me since I try to stay away from crowds as much as I can. However, you cannot clear or make a new spot; you have to“find” a spot in which you do not disturb the area. You will need a freestanding tent since you will probably be pitching it on solid rock. 

  The biggest problem with staying on the knob is the weather. Unfortunately, it poured rain and was windy when I was there. I expected it to be windy, but mixed with the rain, it made it unpleasant. Sam Knob is a heather bald, so that gives you a little privacy. However, expect a hikers to end up there since it is a hiking destination and the views are great. 

  Overall, it is a good place to camp, but there will be people close by no matter where you pitch your tent, whether it is a hundred yards from the parking lot or up on top of Sam Knob.

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• D

  David P.

  Traveler

  Jul. 25, 2023

  Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

  Great camping spot

  First the sight is beautiful and most have a beautiful trout stream close by when navigating if using Apple Maps pay attention to where it is routing you mine wanted me to walk through the woods for an hour to get here it’s easier to find if you navigate to north mill’s campground first second there are signs about being a high crime area and they are not kidding while I was out picking up a few things at ingles someone came by and took my tent and sleeping bag that was inside I wouldn’t leave anything valuable to mark it as your sight and I have T mobile and I lost service about 10 mins from the campground and had no signal while staying there

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• 

  Tony F.

  Scout

  Aug. 7, 2020

  Blue Ridge Roadside Campsites

  Very nice, great location

  Really isn't much to this campsite. Right off the road, the short couple yards dirt road entrance to the campsite had a couple big pot holes that requires accurate driving around, but the campsite had at least three spots for seclusion for both tent camping and car camping, which I did. Also, there's a little trail to a waterfall after you go down the old logging road and follow the path across the creek. Very short, very easy about 0.5 mile or less from the creek. Also, very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway makes it a great spot.

• 

  Kevin S.

  Traveler

  Jun. 4, 2021

  Blue Ridge Roadside Campsites

  Great overnighter

  Good place for me to overnight, there are no facilities, the entrance is a bit hidden google maps will get you very close look for the small tent sign on your right when headed away from the parkway my nv200 did not have a problem navigating but watch the potholes

• 

  Sara S.

  Guide

  Mar. 22, 2025

  Mountain Rest Mountain Top

  Great but lower your expectations

  We arrived pretty late, close to midnight after hitting a lot of traffic traveling from Fl. The coordinates took us directly here, and upon first arriving we did see a campsite to the left which was being used. Continuing on for about another twenty minutes down a one-way gravel road we did not see anymore sites until the end of the road which has a beautiful sunrise view. There are hundreds of downed trees, I am assuming from Hurricane Helene. Which were chopped up, perfect for a firering.

  We went almost to the end of the road before turning around and just pulling over onto a little 'shoulder' to set up the tent for the night.

  Pros- Dead silent and relaxing Great view of the stars during early spring/late winter

  Cons- Not car accessible (road is narrow and very bumpy. 4x4 recommended but I made it down in a 2x4 fullsize pickup) Have not seen nor heard any creek despite one being in the photos.

  Definitely would come back

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• C

  Claudia H.

  Traveler

  Aug. 12, 2024

  Mountain Rest Mountain Top

  Hilltop camping with hiking trails

  Great spot with room to turn around. Shaded and at trailhead of a trail down to creek and near a second trail to a waterfall. Had a few people during the day but evenings were totally quiet. A bit of extra vehicle clearance is helpful...slow and steady gets you to a great spot. No services here but good dispersed spot.

• H

  Heather C.

  Traveler

  Mar. 10, 2024

  Wash Creek Dispersed Site #2

  Roomy spot in middle of nowhere

  It is a roomy site immediately off the road, a surprisingly well maintained gravel road. My class C had no problems making its way along and fitting in the roomy semicircle next to the tent and fire pit pad. There is a babbling brook next to the site for great ambience. We were able to fit our 30ft motorhome and car into the site with no problem. But avoid blocking the emergency access road to the side. Also, be prepared to completely disconnect from civilization since you can't even make calls here. Beautiful site to relax!

• T

  Tavi C.

  Guide

  May. 5, 2023

  Mills River Dispersed

  Beautiful, mostly peaceful, inconvenient

  *this is just for the free campsites- there appears to be paid campsites and maybe RV hook ups very close by.

  Pros:

  1. Gorgeous lush forest
  2. ice-cold flowing stream (in May) immediately off most camp spots
  3. well maintained and leveled places to pitch a tent.
  4. except for occasional cars, very very peaceful and far from any urban life or freeway.

  Cons:

  1. No cell service (Verizon) without driving 10 minutes, and then patchy for another 10-15
  2. camp spots are mostly immediately off the road. It’s a very isolated place, so you have inconsistent privacy and peace and quiet.
  3. several cars drove by and woke me up after 11pm.
  4. the dirt road to get there as well as the pull off for the campsite are rough and a bit dangerous for low/regular cars. It’s doable but you should go very slow and watch out for giant holes and ridges. I bottomed out going into the parking space, and I lifted my Prius 1.5in

  TO NOTE: Google maps incorrectly told me to take a right once I was on the dirt road that doesn’t exist. Just ignore it and keep going forward.

  Explored up to campsite 4 the next day. Campsite 3 is a larger group site and a bit further off the road.

  It’s not true “dispersed” camping because they have designated site you are supposed to stay at. Im not sure how many there are, but I only got up to #4, driving about 5-10 min down the dirt road.

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