Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Greeneville? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls and hundreds of miles of trails. This national forest is home of the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911 which led to the creation of the national forests in the eastern United States. It is also home of the first school of forestry in the United States, now preserved at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site, and boasts two of the first designated wilderness areas in the east. The Pisgah, Grandfather and Appalachian Ranger Districts are scattered along the eastern edge of the mountains of western North Carolina and offer visitors a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoying the natural beauty of the mountains. Camping and Day-use Information Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Pisgah National Forest can be found here Recreation Maps Nantahala & Pisgah National Forest Maps Directions to Frequently Requested Places NC Arobretum and Bent Creek Area Blue Ridge Parkway South Blue Ridge Parkway North Pisgah Ranger District Cradle of Forestry Cradle of Forestry (Scenic Route) The Biltmore House Mt. Mitchell Be Safe The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility. Waterfall Safety for the Summer.
For additional details: https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/tennessee/carvers-gap-grassy-ridge-bald
Traveler
It's beautiful up there although there's not many campsites. I stayed at the second one up the dirt road. It wasn't officially designated but it was used as a campsite. You'll need four wheel drive to get in and out of it though. The road is long but you'll see a bunch of cool waterfalls and at the end of the road there is a great hiking trail with a beautiful waterfall. The dirt road goes on for a long time but it's in good condition so keep driving and you'll find a spot. There's really only 4 viable spots on that road but man is it gorgeous. Go to ranger road and keep going up. Do not follow google maps it will take you to a private driveway where there's a sign saying "no camping, your app is wrong, turn around now".
TravelerEasy access to water. Not a lot of theft. People with aggressive dogs do come here and think it's okay to have them off a leash. But that's everywhere anymore. The area is beautiful and one of the better places I've stayed.
Traveler
Another review recommended an off-road vehicle or a jeep to get here. In dry conditions, I got here just fine in an Outback Wilderness, and 5 minutes later a Prius drove up. There’s a bit of trash but I’ve seen worse. Definitely bring bug repellent. The creek is only a few feet away from the campsite.
ScoutIt's a cute cozy spot that is on either side of the road. Every spot has an area for a fire and also your car and tent. The only downside is that sometimes it does get trashy and there are a few people who live here.
GuideGreat Campsite along the Smoky Mountain 1000 Overland route. You need a good off road capable vehicle to access this site but it is very peaceful with a nice stream running by. Tent camping near the jeep or a high clearance overland teardrop should make it back here ok but not recommended for regular RV's.
Guide
The national forest service website says there are dispersed camping site throughout the corridor; however, I was only able to locate one and luckily it was vacant. There are several spots along the road that may have been for dispersed camping as some point but are now clearly marked with no camping signs. I did enjoy my stay here but I’m a little disappointed in the website saying there were multiple sites … i has to drive almost 4 hours to get there and would have been super disappointed if I arrived to no spots. Also a lot of trash in the area of the site sadly.
ScoutWe drove for what felt like forever at the Big Ivy Trailhead and only ever found one labeled campsite. We gave up and camped in an unofficial spot.
It was gorgeous! But there’s not much there and the drive is long.
Guide
Great spot off of blue ridge parkway. There are several spots (at least 5 or so), but expect many to be occupied. The best spot appears to be at a creek crossing before the road splits. Not sure what is up there. Road is smooth, at least until the creek crossing. Several hunting cabins provide shelter as well.
GuideThe site we stayed in is the first couple on the left a couple minutes after you turn onto Victor road. There was an old house that one was on the plot of land but is gone now and only the chimney still stands. Enjoyable to build fires in and very scenic. Creek also visible from this site. Lots of cars do drive down the road though which is a bit annoying. Even an older gentleman stopped to talk to us about the land and house that used to reside there. We enjoyed our stay and definitely will be back.
Legend
This was truly one of my most memorable campsites I’ve ever stayed at. After a glorious hike up Roan Mountain and back down I crossed the road and hiked out along the three balds and found a few lonely trees to hang a hammock between. The Appalachian Trail is frequently referred to as The Green Tunnel because of the amazing wormhole effect of trees, rhododendron and other vegetation that shroud your views. But not here! There was an evening thunderstorm over an adjacent mountain, a beautiful sunset, a full moon to howl at, and a sunrise that can’t be beat. The hike back was in and out of the clouds. Pure bliss!
Pro Tip : Please do not skin or scar trees. Bring your own firewood.
GuideIt’s a short hike up from Carver Gap. There are several spots on the bald to pitch your tent. There are not too many spots to gather firewood. A few sites already have rock pits made for you. Super windy so dress appropriately!
ScoutBeautiful 6000’ bald off the AT and along the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee, plenty of places to pitch a tent. Firewood is scarce so bring a lantern and cook stove.
Scout
Pros: Free, many sites with water access for kayaking/fishing, fire rings, parking lot close to sites. Cons: Lots of road noise-- you're sitting in a valley bordered by highway on 3 sides, and the echo is serious. Trash everywhere making some sites unusable. Lots of poison ivy.
So, if it's worth it to you for a free spot go ahead. You'll basically be camping in someone else's backyard, there are several residents.
ScoutFirst solo overnight backpacking trip at CAT Gap Loop. Awesome
ScoutNearly right at mile marker 342 Long gravel road, couple/few camping spots along the way, mostly on the left. Drive through a little creek, and stay to the right, a little ways down you’ll find another spot just before Laurel Retreat. A little larger clearing than the others, my pop-up fight nicely , plus Toyota Sequoia. Big fire pit. No water, no bathrooms, no hookups. (I have solar panels) A couple shelter/observation buildings with handicap parking scattered along the way.
GuideWe drove in mid day and couldn’t find a spot, unfortunately. All dispersed spots were taken. However, there are parking spaces that you can park in overnight in front of hunting shelters. Just be mindful of how you park and don’t take up handicapped parking.
TravelerMy husband and I took a road trip and needed to find a spot to car camp last minute in the area. The narrow road to go up/down is alittle sketchy but we made it. The first two spots were taken so we drove to the end where it seperated to private drives. There was a fire pit and a trail that we didn't explore. Our 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee didn't take up much space. There was plenty of space for a wider vehicle or multiple. There's literally no amenities which was no issue for us since we had what we needed, no cell service(Verizon) but no issues for us. We enjoyed the peace and quiet, other than the stream near by. Other than a deer that left its tracks nearby, nothing bothered us. --Visited May 9th-10th--
ScoutGreat place by Blue Ridge Pkwy. Not very far off Pkwy, we had no problem getting there with our Artic Fox truck camper and pulling a Jeep. Stayed next to a creek at the end.
TravelerSeveral dispersed camping sites where you can easily park a vehicle. There are several along Roses Creek road and along New Ginger Cake road.
LegendJust on the edge of Watauga Lake sits this free dispersed camping area that is perfect for tent camping only. This is a park outside the gate and walk your gear in type of place, some bring your IKEA bags or a wagon. Opportunities for fishing and boating are abundant. Most of campsites are large, very shaded, and have at least one fire ring. A handful of sites have direct water access, and are more private.
There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground. Please Leave No Trace! Also, we would not recommend camping here on a busy weekend because the road is very close and the trucks are very loud!
The nearest town is Butler, which is small but offers the basics such as groceries and gas.
RangerWeather was far from good so I quickly decided this site would work. It was pretty level, had a nice fire pit. It was very foggy all day with off and on rain. My mistake was not paying attention to where the runoff was. This morning I had a small stream running through my camp. This site had plenty of room however.
GuideJust the drive up the mountain is enough to take your breath away. My absolute favorite place to go camping and there are plenty of camping spots to go around! The campsites are so spread out that the only noises you’ll hear are the numerous creeks that flow off the mountain or a car driving up or down the gravel road. The fishing there is absolutely beautiful and the trout are pretty plentiful up there. I highly suggest this spot, just please pick up your trash after yourselves and for the love of god don’t go throwing beer cans and bottles down the hills from your campsites. I pulled 30 pounds of trash off the hillside of my campground the last time I was there. It’s sad indeed but the saddest part was the soda can I found that had been tore open by an animal. The can was lined with some poor animals blood. If an animal cuts its mouth on something like a dirty can and the cut gets infected, that animal will stop eating and slowly starve to death. Please please please pick up after yourselves!!!!!! No trash left behind!!! P.S....the adventure doesn’t start until you’re lost....
RangerRight off the Blue Ridge Parkway this was a perfect site for the night. A small creek nearby provided a peaceful backdrop. No one around and only saw one other vehicle driving by.
GuideThere are three campsites located in Victor Road. Victor Road is approx. 2 miles north of highway 80 (highway 80 is is approx 16 miles north of Mount Mitchell) on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The road is initially pavement but quickly turns to packed gravel. The road is a little rough in spots, but I had zero issues in my Honda Accord. Sites are free and do not appear to be managed by any official municipal, state or federal authority...but they are in great shape.
Three sites are available from what I could see. The marker on this map is at the site of what I am calling #3. Sites 1 & 2 are located about 1/2 mile down Victor Road on the left and are adjacent to one another, but appear to be large and have foliage separating them. One of the sites had three tents pitched along side a beach tent and still had plenty of open space in the middle around a stone fire pit. I stayed at site number three. This has enough room for two cars and a four person tent at most. I have a three person tent and it covered most of the flat pad area. The site has a fire pit and is located just before a large(ish) stream that crosses the road. Beyond this campsite, the road turns private. The site is on the left hand side as you approach the stream. There is room on the right hands side of the road for perhaps another tent if one wanted to do so.
This is fairly remote, despite being close enough to the BRP to hear cars occasionally. There are no amenities aside from the fire pit, but it's handy to have a creek for water for filtering or boiling. You should note that there are hunting blinds at the top of the hill between sites 1/2 and 3. These are facing a field that points away from the campsites. I imagine during turkey season (I saw a lot of turkey), you may hear gunshots.
There aren't any trails down this road, but you are within a few minutes of the BRP where they are plentiful and Mt. Mitchell and associated trail systems are less than 20 minutes. The BRP would have to be open for you to access these sites, so plan accordingly (my suggestion is the real time map on nps.org).
TravelerThis area is beautiful. I am from the area, but I love to go up the hill and get away from everything. If you get there early in the week, you should have the place to yourself.
Usually have to clean up a little from the slobs before. The water is clean and COLD.
TravelerSo many trails at different levels of difficulty. Incredible sights and access points to all kinds of campsites. You can care camp or hike for a couple of days.
TravelerThere is free camping all through out these woods & plenty of water access. Trails out the wazoo! Our doggies love the trails & there are quite a few family friendly paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Greeneville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Greeneville, TN is Pisgah National Forest Dispersed with a 4.6-star rating from 12 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Greeneville, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
