North Carolina is a state found in the southeastern region of the United States. It is the 28th largest and 9th most populated state in the country. North Carolina borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Virginia to the north, Tennessee to the west, and South Carolina to the south. North Carolina extends across three major physiographic regions of the US — Piedmont, Coastal Plain (or tidewater area), and the Appalachian Mountains.
Apart from its spectacular landscape, there is a regional variation that has positively influenced its soils, climate, human geography, and plant life. When it comes to free campgrounds, North Carolina has plenty to offer. Discussed below are some of the free campgrounds in North Carolina.
Wash Creek Roadside Campsites in Pisgah National Forest – Asheville, North Carolina
Address: 1600 Pisgah Highway Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Phone Number: (828) 877-3265
This is a reservation site located a few miles northeast of the North Mills River Recreation area. There is an open field around here that is locked behind the gate. Wash Creek is a roadside campground you can enjoy with your family and friends. There is only one campsite available, and it can get very busy on weekends. The maximum number of people allowed on this campground is 35, with the parking lot holding a maximum of 15 people. The campground has several amenities; they include water, toilets, and a few bathrooms. Some of the fun activities you can engage in while here include horse riding, camping, and hiking.
Henderson Reservoir Roadside Camping – Horse Shoe, North Carolina
Address: Horse Shoe, North Carolina GPS: 35.42445, -82.6552
Phone Number: (828) 877-3265
This campground is located inside the Pisgah National Forest. This is generally a very beautiful area. It is a large campground with around six campgrounds. If you plan to camp here, keep in mind that it does not accept reservations. This spot is ideal for smaller campers. It has access to amenities like water, fire rings, a BBQ grill, and toilets. While here, you can engage in fun activities like hiking, fishing, biking, wildlife viewing, and horse riding.
Big Ivy Area, Coleman Boundary – Barnardsville, North Carolina
Address: 632 Manor Road Mars Hill, NC 28754
Phone Number: (828) 689-9694
This is one of the areas in the Appalachian Ranger District where camping is allowed. This is generally a very beautiful area. The campground is quite large in size, with about six campsites in total. Most of these campsites are connected to electricity, and there is enough space for you to park your car. If you are planning to camp here, it is important to note that the campground operates on a first-come-first-serve basis. Besides, they don’t accept reservations. As much as this campground doesn’t have reliable water access, there are several amenities you will have access to. They include picnic tables, fire rings, a BBQ grill, and toilets. While here, you can engage in activities like wildlife viewing, horse riding, hiking, fishing, and biking.
Yellow Gap Roadside Camping – Horse Shoe, North Carolina
Address: Yellow Gap Road Horse Shoe, North Carolina GPS: 35.38625
Phone Number: (828) 877-3265
There are several campsites along this road. Situated along a creek, most of these spots are beautiful. Yellow Gap is one of these spots. Keep in mind that you cannot park inside these campsites. Instead, you will park your vehicle by the road then walk by feet to the campground. Most of the campsites available here are equipped with essential amenities. For example, you will have access to a lantern pole, tent pad, and a fire ring with BBQ. The access road to this area is well maintained, and you won’t struggle a lot. However, the roads are too windy and narrow and can be challenging for large vehicles to navigate. This campground has amenities like water, a fire ring BBQ grill, and toilets. Some of the fun activities awaiting you at this campground include swimming, hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and biking.
Walmart – Hendersonville, North Carolina
Address: 250 Highlands Square Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28792, United States
Phone Number: +1 828-696-8285
This is a large parking space belong to Walmart Stores in Hendersonville. You can park here overnight, but only for a single night. Sometimes, the management asks campers to park away from the store. It has a wide space that can hold several RVs. This parking lot will be an ideal place to camp while travelling. The security around here is top-notch, with the building installed with security cameras. There are also a few guards manning the building. The management is very strict on the one-day camping tule. You will not be allowed to camp for longer than that.
South Toe River Dispersed Camping – Burnsville, North Carolina
Phone Number: (828) 689-9694
Roadside camping is allowed around this location. Most of the roads here are made of gravel, and you can camp beside them. However, along the NFSR 472, near the Mountain Campground, camping is not allowed. The main purpose of camping being only around on the roadside is to reduce the damage caused by fishing, hiking, and other activities.
Wolf Ford Roadside Camping – Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Address: South Mills River Road Pisgah Forest, North Carolina GPS: 35.366019
This campground is located about three miles east of the Cradle of Forestry in America Visitors Center. Wolf Ford Roadside camp is large in size and can accommodate up to twelve campsites, with most of them connected to electricity. Despite the many campsites, campsite number two has a large gravel circle that is big enough to be compared to six campsites. Given the large size of this campground, there are lots of parking spaces. Whether you have a trailer or a small car, there is space for you to park. Some of the amenities available here include water, a fire ring, electricity, and toilets. While camping here, you can engage in activities like hiking, fishing, biking, hunting, and horse riding.
Curtis Creek South Dispersed Campsite – Old Fort, North Carolina
Address: 3799 Curtis Creek Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, United States
This exciting campground is located in the calm mountains of Blue Ridge. It is just two minutes away from the historic town of Old Fort. It is also less than an hour from Asheville, a popular city in North Carolina. Located in the National Forest land in the eastern side of an old Civilian Conservation Corp camp, this campground has a lot to offer. It has quite a large area so you don’t have to worry about where you will park your vehicle. This campground has access to essential amenities like water, BBQ grill, fire rings, and picnic tables.
Neals Creek Road – Montreat, North Carolina
Phone Number: +1 828-696-8285
Beside most gravel roads, camping is generally allowed. If you are planning to camp here, you should keep in mind that it operates on a first-come first-serve basis. They also don’t accept reservations. There is lots of parking spaces, so you don’t have to worry about that. There are several amenities available here, they include water, toilets, bathrooms, and electricity.
Shining Rock Trailhead (hike-in) – Canton, North Carolina
Address: Canton, NC 28716, United States
Shining Rock campground is located in Pisgah National Forest. This campground has quite a lot to offer. From extensive hiking trails to refreshing environment in southern part of the camp. This campground operates on a first-come first-serve basis, and they don’t accept reservations. While camping here, you will enjoy stunning views at the Art Loeb Trail. The campground has amenities like water, bathhouses, electricity, BBQ grill, fire rings, and toilets. Some of the activities you can engage in while camping here include hiking, wildlife viewing, horse riding, and biking.
Curtis Creek North Dispersed Campsite – Old Fort, North Carolina
Address: 3799 Curtis Creek Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, United States
Phone Number: 828-877-3265
This is an exciting campground located in Old Fort, North Carolina. This campground operates on a first-come first-serve basis. They also don’t accept reservations. The access roads to this campground can be quite messy sometimes, especially when it rains. This is why it is a good idea to use a four wheel drive. The campground has essential amenities like water and toilets. Some of the activities you can engage in while camping here include swimming and hiking.
Avery Creek Dispersed – Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Address: S Mills River Rd, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, United States
Phone Number: (828) 877-3265
This campground is located inside Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina. It is easy to access this campground thanks to well maintained roads. The main road is made of gravel, eliminating the risk of mud when it rains. This is a small campground that you might have challenges finding a parking area. Nonetheless, this campground has access to essential amenities like water, bathhouses, electricity, and toilets. While camping here, you can participate in fun activities like biking, hiking, skating, among others.
Avery Creek Roadside Camping – Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Address: S Mills River Rd, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, United States
Phone Number: (828) 877-3265
If you have an RV, then is campground will not work for you. This is a roadside camp that is ideal for small campers. It is found along the Forestry Road, 477 off the US hwy. It is only nine minutes away from Brevard, North Carolina. Accessing this campground is quite easy given that it is located along the main highway. While camping here, you will have access to amenities like water, toilets, and bathrooms. Some of the activities available here include hiking, horseback riding, and biking.
Headwater Dispersed – Canton, North Carolina
Address: 1600 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, United States
This is a unique campground that has a lot to offer. It is large in size, so you don’t have to worry about where you will park your vehicle. The access road to this campground can be difficult to navigate, especially when it rains. That is why it is a good idea to use a four wheel drive. Nonetheless, this campground has access to essential amenities like toilets and bathrooms. While here, you can engage in activities like hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Sugar Cove Pisgah – Marion, North Carolina
Address: 6954 Buck Creek Rd, Marion, NC 28752, United States
This is a small campground with around two campsites. However, all of them are connected to electricity. Sugar Cove campground has access to amenities like water, toilets, and bathrooms. While here, you can engage in activities like swimming, fishing, surfing, and hiking.
