Best Campgrounds In The South Tennessee
Spencer, TN 38585 881-5298
Hike into backcountry sites, pitch a tent, park your RV or try a cabin rental at Fall Creek Falls, which features an astounding number of geographical wonders everywhere you look. Families with kids of all ages can enjoy nearly 30,000 acres of fun along with four playgrounds, five covered picnic pavilions and an Olympic-sized swimming pool between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Theres even a wading area in the pool for tiny tykes.
- Try zip lining or the ropes course at Canopy Challenge Course its available for kids as young as 4 all the way up to moderately fit seniors.
- Tackle 56 miles of hiking trails and 24 miles of biking trails.
- An 18-hole golf course is available for links fans.
Gatlinburg , TN 37738 436-1200
With lush forests that are surely the same as they were 100 years ago, this protected section of land in Tennessee is Americas most-visited park. Camping is king in this park and there are lots of places to settle in for the night, including 10 developed campgrounds. If youre craving a roof over your head, the only option inside the park is LeConte Lodge, which requires visitors to hike of five to nine miles to get there. But once you do wow. Its stunning.
And if you stay in the park or the Gatlinburg area, consider reserving a camper like this 26-foot Forest River for delivery. No hookups are available inside the park.
Badin Horse Camp Campground
Badin Horse Camp is a primitive camping area that accommodates rigs of all sizes.
Located in Uwharrie National Forest, there are 6-15 campsites located in a grassy field that offers both sunlight and shade.
This free camping opportunity is an equestrians paradise, with plenty of riding trails and tie-ups to secure your horses at the campsites.
There are no amenities, but I think we can all agree that finding a secluded, free campsite that accommodates big rigs is a rare gem, regardless!
- Location: Troy, North Carolina
Found on Allstays Camp & RV, Kistler Memorial Highway dispersed is a hidden gem located in Pisgah National Forest.
It is completely free and can accommodate a 20 ft rig. There are hiking trails in the area and a breathtaking waterfall nearby, giving nature lovers a secluded hidden paradise to stay.
This isnt a well-known spot, as it is not featured on the other apps. Please be cautious while driving in, as the road is not maintained.
But you know what they say without risk there is no reward. Sometimes the most memorable campsites are the ones we have to work for!
- Location: Marion, NC
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area
Only 10 minutes away from the city of Asheville, Lake Powhatan offers all the recreation you need on a break from the busy city streets. The lake itself offers a swimming beach, and the French Broad River offers further fishing opportunities nearby. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also a short distance away, so dont miss out on this scenic drive if youre car camping. Bent Creek Experimental Forest is located close by, where mountain biking opportunities are unparalleled.
Lake Powhatan Campground offers wooded tent sites with picnic tables and campfire rings provided. Restrooms and hot showers are also located on-site, but no further amenities are on offer at this natural campground. With easy access to so many of North Carolinas premier natural areas, Lake Powhatan Recreation Area is an excellent choice for your next tent camping trip.
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Best Free Camping In North Carolina
7 Campgrounds In South Carolina Where You Can Spend The Night For 25 Bucks And Under. A weekend on the cheap sounds pretty good right about now! Article by Only In Your State. Camping Resort Rv Camping Congaree National Park Best Campgrounds Twin Lakes Tourist Spots Camping Activities Rafting South Carolina Stay at the Barnyard RV Park to get to the heart of South Carolina. This highly rated park brings you plenty of amenities and facilities. 129 RV sites bring you 30/50 amp electric, water, sewer along with free Wi-Fi and cable TV. All restroom, bath, and laundry facilities have full air conditioning to keep you cool on hot Carolina days Military Campgrounds. Grassy Pond, a 500-acre Military recreation area in Lake Park Ga. Military members, retirees, DOD civilians and their families can rent one of the 17 cabins, camp in one of. Find the best Myrtle Beach Campgrounds and RV Resorts, including Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Myrtle Beach KOA, Lakewood Camping Resort, Pirate Land Family Camping Resort and more. Experience Myrtle Beachs great outdoors by tent, RV, cabin, or campground. Youll love oceanfront camping in Myrtle Beach
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Keep It Simple But Dont Neglect A Few Amenities
Planning a camping trip definitely requires us to review what we consider necessities and maybe simplify a little. Its a great opportunity to think about what are the must-haves for our family and what we can do without for a couple of days. Putting some thought into your outdoor adventure will make this frugal family vacation an annual tradition that everyone looks forward to.
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Camping In The Outer Banks
Well do a sort of top 5 here, but note that were skewing our preferences heavily toward camping in the national seashores that make up the majority of the experience in the Outer Banks that were interested in. Should you be more interested in RV camping with hookups, well touch on that as well, or you can always do some independent research on Campendium.
With the exception of Cape Lookouts listing below, these campgrounds are all on the Cape Hatteras portion of the Outer Banks.
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Wyoming: Shadow Mountain Bridger
This spot is hardly a secret anymoreit fills up every day all summer longbut if you can snag a spot, you are one happy camper. Located within Bridger-Teton National Forests approved dispersed camping areas, Shadow Mountain and Ditch Creek have designated roadside camp spots with stellar views of the Gros Ventre and Teton ranges and are just on the outskirts of Grand Teton National Park. A toilet facility has been installed in the area due to crowds, and theres talk of this zone becoming a paid campground in the future.
Also Check: Shawnee National Forest Free Camping
Leave No Trace Principles For Dispersed Camping
Before we get into where to find free camping, we want to take a quick moment to explain the principles Leave No Trace. These are broad principles that can apply to any type of outdoor recreation but are particularly important to follow when dispersed camping.
Following these Leave No Trace principles is the best way to ensure free camping will be available in the future and to minimize the impact on our public lands. To dive deeper, head over to the LNT website.
Plan Ahead & Prepare: Do a little research ahead of time, bring the right equipment, and be prepared to be completely self-sufficient. Forgetting to bring a trash bag is absolutely no excuse for littering. You should also plan ahead to be aware of area-specific rules regarding campfires, limits on how long you can stay in one area, and how far from the roads you should camp.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Do not set up camp on vegetation. Look for barren dirt, rock, or sand to pitch a tent. In the desert environments, become familiar with what cryptobiotic soil looks like and avoid disturbing it.
Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all of your waste, including food scraps, toilet paper, etc. In some sensitive and highly used desert areas , you might also need to pack out human waste check with the ranger station.
Leave What You Find: At a minimum, leave your campsite as you found it. Wed really encourage you to leave your site better than you found it by packing out any additional trash you find.
Free Camping In Eastern North Carolina
Along the eastern coast of North Carolina, youll find some fantastic free camping, particularly in the boundaries of Croatan National Forestanother of the four gorgeous national forests located across the state.
In Croatans beautiful 160,000 acre spread, youll encounter pine trees, bogs, raised swamps, and moreall bordered by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound. Resplendent with diverse wildlife and perfect for canoeing and fishing, this is a great area for water-loving campers in particular, who dont mind some primitive conditions as they soak up the best that nature has to offer!
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What To Pack For Dispersed Camping Or Boondocking
When choosing a free camping site on public lands like BLM or National Forests, you have to remember that since these areas do not provide any services like bathrooms, potable water, or picnic tables, youll need to be completely self-sufficient.
Here is our list of camping essentials while camping outside of established campsites on public land :
Can You Camp Anywhere Along The Blue Ridge Parkway
Camping is only allowed in one of the Parkways eight designated camping areas. There are also three backcountry campgrounds which allow backpacking at certain sites with a permit.
While it seems backcountry camping is limited along the parkway, a lot of the backpacking we do in the North Carolina mountains is just off the parkway in Pisgah National Forest along the Appalachian Trail. In my opinion one of the best places to camp in the entire state is at Black Balsam Knob , approximately milepost 420 off the parkway. The short hike up to the mountain bald is less than a mile and a half, and is the perfect place to unplug for a night or two where you can get sweeping sunset and sunrise long range views from your tent.
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Blue Valley Dispersed Camping
Open year-round and a 20-25 minutes drive from downtown Highlands, Blue Valley Campground is an excellent option for anyone looking for a free camping spot nearby.
From Highlands, take NC-28 S for about 6 miles until you reach Blue Valley Rd. Then turn right onto Blue Valley Rd andtravel 3 miles until the campground is on your right.
Enjoy several well-kept primitive sites with fire rings and picnic tables. A pit toilet is available but there is no running water. Spots are first-come-first-serve and there is quite the selection of good, secluded areas.
This campground offers easy access to the nearby East Fork Overflow Creek its a great short trip for families with children or dogs.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is an untamed, 14,000-acre that features nine access areas with more than 1,000 campsites offering a range of camping options from primitive and tent camping to luxury RV camping and self-catering overnight cabins. The recreation areas provide plenty of outdoor recreational activities from swimming at one of seven swim beaches to boating, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking, as well as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and more. The area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, ranging from birds of prey and waterfowl to small mammals and reptiles.
280 State Park Road, Apex, NC 27523, Phone: 919-362-0586
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Best Campgrounds In The South North Carolina
Troy, NC 27371 576-6391
Horseback riding fans will find a match made in heaven at Uwharrie National Forest, which boasts 40 miles of riding trails. Need to stop for a rest to pamper your four-legged friend? Visit Canebrake Horse Camp, which offers electrical hookups for campsites, a horse washing station and showers for you .
We highly recommend glamping in the Taj Ma-Haul travel trailer from RVShare, which could be delivered to your site.
- If you prefer a mechanical steed, there are miles of ATV trails for your convenience.
- Trails are plentiful, from an easy 0.3 mile walk made for parents and toddlers to mid-grade 3.6-mile river hikes to a challenging 1.4 mile climb.
- Primitive campsites are available throughout the forest, or you may opt for tent camping or RV sites with electrical hookups and water spigots nearby.
Asheville, NC 28801 257-4200
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina over a wide swath of land stretching 500,000 acres, the Pisgah National Forest awaits your family getaway. The trail network feels nearly endless, so plan out your backpacking route or mountain biking session and dont miss the Moore Cove Falls, which has a 50-foot waterfall you can walk behind.
1792 Pilot Knob Park RoadPinnacle, NC 27043 444-5100
What Happens If I Arrive Late Or Have To Cancel
Any cancellations result in a $6 per site per night fee deducted from your refund. If the cancellation is made on the scheduled arrival date, the cost of one night’s camping will be deducted along with the $6 fee for each reservation.
Same-day cancellation for one-night reservations will result in no refunds.
If you won’t arrive to the park in time before the park gates close, please call the park or ReserveAmerica at 1-877-722-6762 by 3 p.m. the following day to inform them of your arrival time. If you do not call, the reservation will be considered a “no-show,” and the site will be made available to other campers.
No refunds are issued for “no-shows,” early departures, or cancellations after the arrival date.
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Lake Wateree State Park
Winter is the best time to snag one of 15 lakefront campsites at this 72-site campground. Boating and fishing are favorite pastimes at 13,800-acre Lake Wateree State Park, just an hours drive south of Charlotte. Easy water access along the shore or at the boat dock opens up miles of kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to the north and south ends of the lake. Large creek-fed tributaries are ideal spots to see great blue heron, woodpeckers, egrets, and bald eagles. Back at camp, fish for bream, catfish, crappie, and bass from the shore.
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61 Free North Carolina Boondocking Rv Parking & Camping Spots Our Big Escape
North Carolina Free Camping: Campendium has reviews of 40 places to camp for free in North Carolina Listings Map. Sort By. Distance Highest Rated Most Reviews Category. Public . AdVictory Beach Vacations Has The Best Carolina Beach Rentals To Choose From. Book Directly On Our Site & Save On Your Next Carolina Beach VacationBook Direct & Save · Free Wifi · Family FriendlyTypes: Homes, Condos, Group Rentals. AdAsheville Bear Creek RVs for Rent. View Photos, Prices and Amenities Online. Find the Perfect Asheville RV Park for Your Family, and Get an Unbeatable Deal! has been visited by 10K+ users in the past month.
Best free camping in north carolina
Apache Junction, AZ. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground. Alamogordo, NM. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. News Campendium Blog. As more national and state park campgrounds transition to reservation-based systems, it may seem Overlanding is a way to see less-explored areas of the world.
People who overland equip their veh California is home to the most national parks of any state, nine in total. Yosemite, Death Valley Listings Map. More Filters Close Filters Exclude temporarily closed locations.
Online Reservations Bookable. Hookups None Partial Full. Limit to 30 Amp. Limit to 50 Amp. Admin No Photos. Rate Low Mismatch. Discount Clubs AAA. Military Discounts. Passport America. RVs and tents are both welcomed, and campers are encouraged to bring a canoe or kayak to enjoy the fun of the water as well as the beauty of the land!
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Welch Road Dispersed Camping
GPS: 35.2185, -112.3775
About the Campsite: Easy access right off Interstate 40. There is lots of space, so its big rig friendly. A dirt road leads to the dispersed camping sites.
Reported Cell Service: Very good cell service with Verizon, AT& T, and T-Mobile, all having at least three or four bars of coverage.
Boondocking Vibes: Beautiful sunsets over the Arizona desert landscape. Less red dirt here and more of an open field. Rated 4/5 stars.
Best Places To Go Free Camping In North Carolina
Looking for a no-cost camping option in the gorgeous, scenic state of North Carolina? Youre in luck! There are many wonderful, free camping spots scattered across the states four national forests and beautiful backcountryso many, in fact, it can be hard to pick one that suits all your camping needs! Luckily, our free camping guide is here to help. Weve rounded up some of the top-reviewed, best spots for free camping in North Carolinaread on to find the area thats best for you and your family!
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Wisconsin: Porcupine Lake Wilderness Chequamegon
Porcupine Lake Wilderness is a quiet corner of Wisconsins 1.5-million-acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Free, dispersed camping is permitted here, but theres a catch: youll have to hike into your campsite. Its about a half-mile walk from the closest parking area, located four miles southeast of the town of Drummond, to the shores of Porcupine Lake, where a few dispersed campsites dot the shoreline and are popular with anglers. The rules for camping here: set up your site at least 100 feet from a trail or bodies of water. Bonus: the 4,800-mile North Country National Scenic Trail, which stretches from Vermont to North Dakota, traverses through this zone, if you want to expand your adventures into a multiday backpacking trip.
Oregon: Summit Rock Fremont
Just a few miles from the northern entrance to Crater Lake National Park, youll find Forest Road 960, in Fremont-Winema National Forest. Camping is allowed in designated sites along this road, but larger vehicles like RVs or trailers should stick to the first few sites. If you have four-wheel drive and more clearance, you can continue up the bumpy dirt road toward Summit Rock, which has panoramic views from the top. Camping is popular here in the summer months, but if its completely full, there are campgrounds and other dispersed zones in the surrounding area.
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