• What makes North Carolina a great camping destination?
    • North Carolina offers diverse and beautiful natural scenery, from the Great Smoky Mountains in the west to the shores of the Outer Banks in the east, making it a perfect place for camping enthusiasts.
  • What types of campsites are available in North Carolina?
    • Visitors can find a wide variety of campsites, including tent sites, RV sites, and cabins, catering to different camping preferences.
  • What kind of landscapes can campers experience?
    • Campers can choose from peaceful forests, gorgeous mountain terrain, or seaside campgrounds where they can fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves.

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1. Bear Den Family Campground and Creekside Cabins


Bear Den Family Campground and Creekside Cabins

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The Bear Den Family Campground and Creekside Cabins offers a base camp for exploring the scenic mountains of North Carolina. SItuated within the Pisgah National Forest near the Blue Ridge Parkway, the campground near the town of Spruce Pine offers several amenities and activities in addition to its campsites and cabins, such as opportunities for fishing without requiring a license and swimming at the lake. There are also more than thirteen miles of hiking trails, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball, and a game room with arcade games, air hockey, and pool tables. The Bear Den’s Trading Post sells firewood, drinks, and ice.

600 Bear Den Mountain Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, Phone: 828-765-2888

2. Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground


Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground

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The Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground in the famed Outer Banks of North Carolina is a family-owned and operated campground that has been around since 1991. Spanning across approximately fifty acres, the resort offers both soundfront and oceanfront sites for tent and RV camping, as well as Park Model Rentals. The campground also hosts several planned activities throughout the summer season and provides numerous amenities, such as wireless internet, cable television, full hookups, a fully stocked camp store, a marina, a dog park, a whirlpool, indoor and outdoor pools, a game room, cornhole, shuffleboard, basketball, tennis, and miniature golf.

24798 NC Hwy 12, Waves, NC 27968, Phone: 252-987-2777

3. Carolina Beach State Park


Carolina Beach State Park

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With miles of trails traversing across an array of distinctive habitats, secluded camping spot underneath towering trees, and a marina that provides access for visitors to some of the best fishing areas in North Carolina, Carolina Beach State Park has become a popular attraction along the coast. The family campground in the state park can be found near Snow’s Cut and features nearly eighty campsites within a wooded setting. There are sixty-nine sites without full hookups and ten full-hookup sites, including one that is wheelchair-accessible. Each site includes a fire ring or grill and a picnic table.

1010 State Park Rd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, Phone: 910-458-8206

4. Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area


Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area

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Located in the Pisgah National Forest near the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area offers some of North Carolina’s best camping. Running alongside the scenic campground is the South Toe River, offering a great spot for tubing, swimming, or trout fishing. Open from April to October, the campground itself is made up of campsites for both RVs and tents, with some of the sites featuring views of the river. There are also modern bathhouse facilities with hot showers available to guests. Activities at the campground include hiking, tubing, fishing, and weekend programs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

6000 Hwy. 80 S, Burnsville, NC 28714, Phone: 828-675-5509

5. Curtis Creek Campground


Curtis Creek Campground

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The Curtis Creek Campground is located less than one hour from Asheville, North Carolina, at the base of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. Nestled within the eastern United State’s first National Forest tract of land, roaring trout streams and old growth forests surround the campground. Three campsites loops offer twenty-five campsites, one of which can accommodate RVs and the other two are tent-only. Sites on one of the loops include a fire ring, lantern post, picnic table, and tent pad. In addition to the campsites, the Curtis Creek Campground also offers bear-proof recycling and trash receptacles, drinking water, and vault toilets.

3799 State Rd 1227, Old Fort, NC 28762, Phone: 828-652-2144

6. Davidson River Campground


Davidson River Campground

© Davidson River Campground

Located just within the boundaries of the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, North Carolina, the Davidson River Campground is situated along the banks of its namesake Davidson River, which provides an excellent place for swimming, tubing, and fishing. The river is actually noted as one of the southeast region’s premier spots for trout fishing. Open the beginning of April through the end of October, the Davidson River Campground provides nearly 150 campsites accommodating both RV and tent camping, many of which offer a good amount of shade. Sites include lantern poles, fire rings, tent pads, and picnic tables.

1 Davidson River Cir, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, Phone: 828-785-5337

7. Hidden Creek Camping Resort


Hidden Creek Camping Resort

© Hidden Creek Camping Resort

Situated at the base of the beautiful North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains, the Hidden Creek Camping Resort is a 64-acre campground boasting cozy cabins, tent campsites, sites with electricity and water, and RV sites with full hookups. There is also plenty to do besides camping as well at the Hidden Creek, providing countless hours of family fun. The resort offers swimming, fishing, a 300-foot long water slide, a kiddie pool, a junior Olympic pool, bingo, volleyball, dances, crafts, s’mores roasts, movies, and much more. Campers can also take kayaks, canoes, or paddle boats out on the five-acre lake.

1210 Deacon Dr, Marion, NC 28752, Phone: 828-652-7208

8. Lake Powhatan Recreation Area & Campground


Lake Powhatan Recreation Area & Campground

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Located in the city of Asheville, the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area & Campground is close enough to downtown for campers who want to experience some of the best Asheville has to offer, but far enough away to enjoy some peace and quiet in nature. Bordering the Bent Creek Experimental Forest near the French Broad River, the recreation area is popular among mountain biking enthusiasts. The beach and swimming lake provide a great way to relax and cool off during the summer months. The Lake Powhatan Campground includes almost 100 shaded campsites with fire rings, tent pads, and picnic tables.

75 Wesley Branch Rd, Asheville, NC 28806, Phone: 828-670-5627

9. Mount Pisgah Campgrounds


Mount Pisgah Campgrounds

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Perched within the western North Carolina mountains, the Mount Pisgah Campgrounds offers a peaceful setting for camping along the famed and scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. The spacious campground offers sites for both tent camping and RVs, and features modern amenities, such as a country store, drinking water, and flush toilets. Each of the campsites feature picnic tables, as well as fire rings that are perfect for roasting marshmallows. 72 of the campsites at Mount Pisgah are offered on a first-come, first-served availability, while 53 can be reserved in advance. Advanced reservations, however, require a minimum stay of two nights.

408 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, Phone: 828-648-2644

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