Can You Camp Anywhere In The Outer Banks
Free Camping Outer Banks, NC Camping is also prohibited in the maritime forests, which include the Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve and the Frisco and Buxton Woods Reserves, however campgrounds are located nearby. Remember that fireworks are not permitted anywhere on the Outer Banks, while modest campfires are permitted in some campgrounds.
Tent Camping Near Me: Pettigrew State Park
Nestled on the shores of Lake Phelps and the Scuppernong River in Tyrrell and Washington Counties, Pettigrew State Park is a 5,951-acre state park with more than 1,200 acres of land and 16,600 acres of water. The park provides a wealth of outdoor recreational activities ranging from boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking to hiking, mountain biking, camping, visiting historic sites, and wildlife watching. The park has a family campground with 13 campsites boasting picnic tables and grills, tent camping in an open, grassy meadow with potable water and restrooms with showers nearby and primitive camping with tent pads, grills and pit toilets in a nearby forest.
2252 Lake Shore Rd, Creswell, NC 27928, Phone: 252-797-4475
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Why Youll Love Yogi Bears Jellystone Park At Daddy Joes
This RV-friendly facility really goes above and beyond to provide guests of all ages with both fun and relaxation exactly what a vacation should always be about! Youll find amenities here such as mini-golf, an aqua play park, activity pool, large waterslide, splash zone, sporting facilities, fishing ponds, hiking trails, an ice creamery, and so much more. If you have an RV sitting idly in your driveway or garage, why not rent it out for another family to enjoy this RV destination? Its a great way to earn some additional money to fund your next RV trip too!
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Table Rock State Park
Image from The Dyrt camper Cody S.
If you head onto South Carolinas Highway 11 for about 50 miles southwest of Asheville, youll find this gorgeous, lush state park.
Enthusiastic walkers and hikers can head out on an adventure in the miles upon miles of woodland trails in and around this park. If you have a keen interest in American history, check out the CCC-built buildings that you can find all over this landscape.
The Table Rock State Park Campground itself has a total of 94 RV and tent camping sites, another 14 renovated cabins, as well as several well-equipped picnic shelters that are perfect for day-use and group gatherings.
The bathrooms are well-kept, the camp store is handy for almost anything you need and has free wifi and laundry services.Kasey M.
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Free North Carolina Rv Parking Roseboro Rd Dispersed Camping
Address
Elevation: 1896
Management: Public Forest Service
The road in is Gravel and .5 miles from a paved road. Panther Creek is open All. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 at Panther Creek. Two sites. One is walk in only, the other is large but would be difficult to get a big camper in. Flat camp area with tent pads, fire rings, and picnic table. Right on a trout stream.
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Lake James State Park
One of the best tent camping spots in North Carolina is Lake James State Park. Lake James is a 6,812 acre lake located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains between Marion and Morganton.
The state park is located along its shores and is home to 25 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and nature trails, and three different camping areas with three different and unique camping experiences: the Paddys Creek area which is a drive in campsite with 33 sites , the Catawba River area which boasts 20 walk-in, lakeside sites , and there are 30 paddle-in sites on the Long Arm peninsula .
Find Your New Favorite Spot
Crank up the fiddle-and-banjo tunes while driving through the High Country, where campsites and high-altitude views along the Blue Ridge Parkway are marked by mists and mountains. The parkway rolls up to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not far from the gorgeous homelands of the Cherokee tribe. Just east in Asheville, the Ale Trail rivals the Biltmore as the top draw, though live music and a fantastic culinary scene are close behind. Drive east to the windswept barrier islands of the Outer Banks for coastal camping, wildlife watching, and outdoor adventures that tear across sea and sky. Charlotte, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh anchor the booming Central Piedmont.
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Blue Valley Dispersed Campground
Located in Nantahala National Forest, Blue Valley Dispersed Campground truly offers something for everyone.
While it is completely free, this is a campground that accommodates rigs of any size.
There are also several amenities such as tables, grills, and toilets, and with approximately 22 sites, you will have plenty of options to choose from.
Enjoy swimming, fishing, or bird watching? Wilson lake is close by and is a perfect place for all three of these activities!
- Location: Blue Valley, NC
- Elevation: 2644
Potty Kit Or Wag Bags
Since most free camping areas dont have bathroom facilities, youll need to be prepared to properly dispose of your waste. Youll need a small trowel to dig a cathole, TP, and a trash bag to pack your TP out. In some sensitive and higher use areas, youll need to pack your waste out as well, usually by using a WAG bag. Check with the ranger or BLM office to find out about their specific policies.
Our friend Kristen of Bearfoot Theory wrote a great post about doing your business outdoors, which you can check out here.
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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
Campgrounds Near Me: Davidson River Campground
Nestled just inside the Pisgah National Forest and only a few miles away from the beautiful town of Brevard, Davidson River Campground is an excellent spot for a quiet getaway for the whole family. Set along the banks of the Davidson River, the campground features 144 shady campsites for both tents and RVs with water, electricity and sewerage hookups, picnic tables, tent pads, fire rings and lantern poles, and modern restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Several campground loops offer river access, and recreational activities include swimming, fishing, hiking, tubing, mountain biking, and wildlife watching, and firewood and ice are available on-site, as well as a dump station.
1 Davidson River Cir, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, Phone: 828-785-5337
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Free North Carolina Boondocking Locations Kistler Memorial Roadside Camping
AddressNC 1238 Marion, North CarolinaElevation: 3307
Management: Public Forest Service
You may stay 14 nights at Kistler Memorial Roadside Camping. Dispersed primitive car camping on the edge of the Linville Wilderness Gorge. See a spot, pull in and set up. However, you must camp at least 200 ft away from any trailheads.
Campgrounds Near Me: Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Spanning Vance and Warren Counties, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a state park near Henderson that is spread over 3,376 acres along the shores of the 50,000-acre human-made Kerr Lake and features pristine woodlands and other spectacular natural landscapes. The area is made up of seven access areas scattered around the shoreline of the reservoir and is home to hundreds of campsites that offer a range of camping options from RV hookups and tent campsites to group camps. Two private marinas provide boat access, and the lake is renowned for excellent fishing and swimming with several safe swimming beaches in the recreation area. The area also has a community building for community gatherings.
269 Glass House Rd, Henderson, NC 27537, Phone: 252-438-7791
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Free North Carolina Boondocking Locations Huskins Branch Hunters Camp
Address939 Fires Creek Wildlife RdHayesville, North CarolinaElevation: 1810
Management: Public
You may stay 14 nights at Huskins Branch Hunters Camp . A free primitive campground situated on the edge of the Fires Creek Recreation area. The FCRA, a bear sanctuary, is home to the Fires Creek Rim Trail #72. This 25-mile trail follows the ridge around Fires Creek Wildlife Management: Area.
Free North Carolina Rv Boondocking Wash Creek Roadside Campsites In Pisgah National Forest
AddressWash Creek Road FR 5000Asheville, North CarolinaElevation: 2645
Management: Public Forest Service
The road in is Gravel and less than 0.5 and up to 3 miles from a paved road. Wash Creek Roadside Campsites in Pisgah National Forest is open Year Round but Blue Ridge Parkway Closes in Winter. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 17ft. You may stay 14 Days at Wash Creek Roadside Campsites in Pisgah National Forest. Winding gravel road that crosses Blue Ridge Parkway with lots of pull-off campsites.
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Pisgah Ranger District Roadside Camping
The massive Pisgah National Forest is divided into three districts. The Pisgah Ranger District includes the Brevard area with places such as Looking Glass Rock, Sliding Rock and many waterfalls.
Within the Pisgah Ranger District there are disbursed roadside camping sites that are available on a first come – first serve basis. These campsites are located alongside gravel roads throughout the district and include a parking area, tent pad, and fire ring. Toilet facilities and drinking water are not available.
Trash pick-up is not provided. Trash must be collected and disposed of properly. Failure to remove or properly dispose of trash is a crime and law enforcement officers will issue citations for littering if trash is strewn about or not properly disposed of.
The following regulations must be adhered to and are strictly enforced by Law Enforcement Officers.
Warning: Unattended property and equipment in these areas can be an easy target for criminal activity. Protect your property by locking valuables out of site. Access to these campsites is easy by any vehicle. If you see anyone stealing anything from a roadside campsite or parking area near a public trailhead, picnic, or recreation area please call 911 to report it or call USPS Law Enforcement at the Pisgah District Ranger Station at 828-877-3265.
Free North Carolina Boondocking Locations
Although there is no such thing as a free lunch, there are free campgrounds. Setting up camp in an undeveloped region, whether you call it boondocking or dispersed camping, has a lot of attraction. Choose your own spot without making a reservation, stay for a week or two, and camp for free at one of these North Carolina boondocking spots.
Youre not merely going off the grid like you would when dry camping. Because there arent many amenities other than a parking spot, youll most likely need your own generators, batteries, solar panels, and fresh water supplies when boondocking say goodbye to Wi-Fi!
Boondocking is permitted in numerous specified places of the Croatan, Nantahala, Pisgah, and Uwharrie National Forests in North Carolina. You should be fine as long as you dont camp near trailheads and observe all fire safety requirements .
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Benefits Of Free Camping
There are a lot of pros when it comes to free camping. Some are obvious , but there are a few unexpected benefits as well.
Its free! Obviously, the big draw is the cost. If youre planning on camping or traveling for an extended period of time, getting good at finding free camping is one of the best ways to bring down your trips overall expenses.
Flexibility. It is nice to not be tied down to a specific campground. If youre exploring or passing through an area with a lot of free dispersed camping it is nice to decide where you want to camp at the end of the day.
Last Minute Trips. Decide you want to go camping on Friday morning before a long weekend? Most established campgrounds will be booked solid months ahead of time. But when you go looking for free dispersed camping, you can almost always find a spot.
Seclusion and solitude. In most established pay campgrounds, youre packed in like sardines in a tin. You can hear the guy snoring two sites down from you. Free dispersed camping is often in more remote areas, which offers a true sense of peace and calm.
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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Fontana Dam Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Its a bit of a drive at close to two hours from Asheville, but worth it for the views of Fontana Lake. People tend to head to trails of Newfound Gap Road, so youre less likely to see crowds especially in winter. Bonus: The Fontana Dam Shelter, nicknamed Fontana Dam Hilton, is known for being one of the nicest on the Appalachian Trail, with clean restrooms, picnic tables and access to hot showers at the Tennessee Valley Authority visitors center. If remote areas are your jam, this is the place for you.
South Mountains State Park
Like Lake James and Mount Mitchell, another North Carolina State Park, South Mountains State Parks offers a variety of different tent camping options depending on what youre looking for. The drive in campground is easily accessible and offers a mix of tent campsites and RV hookups .
Wed recommend you skip the shower for the weekend and book one of the state parks 24 primitive sites at seven different locations throughout the park, where you can hike past the parks gorgeous cascading waterfall, cross trickling mountain streams, and take in its lush trees and mountain views before setting up camp .
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North Section Of Pisgah National Forest Free Camping
In the Big Ivy area Coleman Boundary, there is free primitive camping off of FS 74. This narrow dirt road is not suited for pull campers or bigger. There are several roadside camp spots.
Neals Creek rd FS 2074 has great riverside primitive camping. This road is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, making it easy and beautiful to get to.
Curtis Creek North dispersed camping is on Curtis Creek rd FS 482. This road is between Old Fort and Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a paved part of the way but gravel the rest. There are dispersed camping sites all along the road, but you can also find a small, very cheap campground located on this road. Some of the dispersed spots are close to the campground so that you can use the bathrooms at the campground.
Please remember
Always pack out what you pack in. Leave the site better than how you found it. Please bury bathroom waste and also toilet paper. We all enjoy these locations for their natural beauty and hate to get to a trashy site. Rangers have in the past closed roadside camping for all due to people trashing the area.
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Buck Creek Rv Park Nc
Buck Creek RV Park is located in the beautiful forests of western North Carolina, near the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The RV park is an hours drive away from the city of Charlotte, North Carolinas largest city, is a two-hour drive away. Buck Creek RV Park is a perfect RV camping spot for those who enjoy hiking and mountain biking.
Campsites at Buck Creek RV Park offer several amenities to keep you comfortable during your stay. Each site is very spacious and comes with 20, 30, or 50 amp electric hookups. There is a bathhouse as well as a laundry room. Complimentary WiFi is offered
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Is Dispersed Camping Safe
Taking extra safety precautions when youre camping is an important consideration, especially when free camping when you may be far away from other people and without cell signal. Here are a few ways to keep safety top of mind:
- Trust your gut: If you have a bad feeling about a campsite, leave. Never second guess your instincts you can always find another campsite.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to who and what are around you. If youre camping alone, consider finding a spot with other campers nearby.
- Dont put yourself in a position to get lost or stranded. Download maps ahead of time or grab a paper map as backup.
- Tell someone your plans: Let someone know where you plan to camp and when you expect to return. Check in often, especially if your plans change.
- Have an exit plan: Always keep the drivers seat clear and have a designated spot for your keys. If possible, park where you cant be blocked in and dont need to reverse to get out of a spot.
- Keep your doors locked: Especially when youre sleeping!
- Consider carrying a self-defense tool: Some people may feel safer if they carry pepper spray, a taser, etc.
Dispersed camping in Moab