Top 10 Best Camping & Outdoor Destinations in North Carolina (With Travel Guide)
North Carolina, known as the "Tar Heel State," is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering stunning mountain ranges, lush forests, pristine beaches, and cascading waterfalls. From the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains to the sandy shores of the Outer Banks and the rolling hills of the Piedmont region, North Carolina provides a diverse range of camping experiences that cater to hikers, beach lovers, families, and adventure seekers alike.
Whether you're seeking mountain retreats, forest cabins, lakeside camping, or coastal getaways, North Carolina has some of the most beautiful and accessible camping destinations in the Southeast.
Below are the 10 best camping destinations in North Carolina, each with:
✅ Unique attractions & activities
✅ Best time to visit
✅ Nearby amenities (food, gas, lodging, transportation)
✅ Important tips & safety advice
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Cherokee & Gatlinburg) – America’s Most Visited National Park
🏔️ Highlights:
Over 800 square miles of lush forests & misty mountains
Cades Cove (historic cabins & wildlife viewing)
Clingmans Dome (highest point in the Smokies – 6,643 ft)
Waterfalls (Abrams Falls, Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking, 50-80°F)
Spring (60-80°F) - blooming wildflowers & fewer crowds
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Oct to Nov)
Summer (70-85°F) - warm but humid—early mornings best
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds (Elkmont, Cades Cove, Smokemont)
Cherokee (30 mins) & Gatlinburg (45 mins) have supermarkets, lodging & restaurants
Asheville (2 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Reservations are essential in summer & fall
Black bears are common—secure food properly
Traffic can be heavy—especially on Cades Cove Loop
2. Blue Ridge Parkway (Blowing Rock) – Scenic Mountain Drives & Hikes
🌄 Highlights:
One of the most scenic drives in America (469 miles)
Linn Cove Viaduct (iconic mountain bridge)
Grandfather Mountain (mile-high swinging bridge)
Hiking trails (Craggy Gardens, Linville Falls)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–October (best for driving & hiking, 50-80°F)
Summer (60-80°F) - cool at higher elevations
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (50-70°F) - blooming wildflowers
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds (Mount Mitchell, Julian Price Park)
Boone (30 mins) & Blowing Rock (20 mins) have supermarkets & lodging
Asheville (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Weather changes quickly—pack layers
Some trails are steep & rocky—wear sturdy shoes
Bring a jacket—even in summer, mountains can be cool
3. Outer Banks (Nags Head) – Beach Camping & Maritime History
🏖️ Highlights:
Miles of sandy beaches (surfing, swimming & kiteboarding)
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (climbable historic lighthouse)
Wild horses (Shackleford Banks & Corolla)
Wright Brothers National Memorial (first powered flight)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for beach activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm ocean swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds & hurricane season risk
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Outer Banks Campgrounds (Jockey’s Ridge, Oregon Inlet)
Nags Head (10 mins) has supermarkets & restaurants
Kill Devil Hills (15 mins) & Kitty Hawk (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Ocean swimming can be dangerous—check lifeguard flags
Hurricane season (Aug–Oct) can bring storms
Bring sunscreen & beach gear
4. Pisgah National Forest (Brevard) – Waterfalls & Hiking Heaven
🌲 Highlights:
Sliding Rock (natural waterslide)
Looking Glass Falls & Moore Cove Falls
DuPont State Recreational Forest (adjacent – Triple Falls)
Blue Ridge Mountains scenery
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–October (best for hiking, 50-80°F)
Summer (60-80°F) - warm but shaded trails
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (50-70°F) - blooming wildflowers
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Pisgah National Forest Campgrounds (Crabtree, Davidson River)
Brevard (15 mins) has supermarkets & lodging
Asheville (45 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Sliding Rock can be crowded in summer
Waterfalls can be slippery—wear proper footwear
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes are active in summer
5. Lake Norman State Park (Davidson) – Largest Man-Made Lake in NC
🏞️ Highlights:
Lake Norman (boating, fishing & swimming)
Hiking & mountain biking trails
Scenic views of the lake
Wildlife (ducks, geese, bald eagles)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–October (best for water activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Lake Norman State Park Campgrounds
Davidson (10 mins) has supermarkets & gas stations
Charlotte (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Boat traffic can be heavy in summer
Bring sunscreen & water shoes
6. Chimney Rock State Park (Chimney Rock) – Iconic Rock Formation
🗿 Highlights:
Chimney Rock (315-ft granite monolith with elevator & hike)
Hickory Nut Falls (404-ft waterfall)
Lake Lure scenery (movie filming location)
Hiking & scenic views
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking, 50-80°F)
Summer (60-80°F) - warm but shaded trails
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (50-70°F) - blooming wildflowers
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Chimney Rock State Park Campgrounds
Lake Lure (10 mins) has small grocery stores & restaurants
Asheville (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
The elevator to the top is optional—hike is steep but rewarding
Weather changes quickly—pack layers
Bring a jacket—even in summer, mountains can be cool
7. Cape Lookout National Seashore (Harkers Island) – Remote Barrier Islands
🏝️ Highlights:
Wild horses (Shackleford Banks)
Lighthouse (climbable – 1859)
Untouched beaches & kayaking
Birdwatching & fishing
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for beach activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm ocean swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Cape Lookout Campgrounds (primitive sites)
Harkers Island (30 mins) has small grocery stores
Beaufort (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Ferries are required to reach the islands—check schedules
Ocean swimming can be dangerous—check lifeguard flags
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes are active in summer
8. Mount Mitchell State Park (Burnsville) – Highest Peak East of Mississippi
🏔️ Highlights:
Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft – highest peak in eastern U.S.)
Cool alpine forests (even in summer)
Hiking & scenic overlooks
Wildlife (deer, black bears)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–October (best for hiking, 40-70°F)
Summer (60-70°F) - cool at high elevation
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (40-60°F) - cooler but peaceful
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Mount Mitchell State Park Campgrounds
Burnsville (20 mins) has small grocery stores
Asheville (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Weather changes quickly—pack layers & rain gear
Bring a jacket—even in summer, mountaintop can be cold
Altitude sickness is possible—hydrate well
9. Croatan National Forest (New Bern) – Coastal Forests & Swamps
🌲 Highlights:
Neuse River & Bogue Sound (kayaking & fishing)
Swamps & longleaf pine forests
Hiking & wildlife viewing (alligators, deer)
Camp Lejeune (nearby military base)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–October (best for outdoor activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm but humid
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Croatan National Forest Campgrounds (Catfish Lake, Flanner Beach)
New Bern (30 mins) has supermarkets & lodging
Morehead City (45 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Mosquitoes & ticks are common in summer—bring repellent
Swamps can be buggy—wear long sleeves
Bring bug spray & sunscreen
10. Stone Mountain State Park (Roaring Gap) – Granite Dome & Waterfalls
🗿 Highlights:
Stone Mountain (600-ft granite dome – hike to summit)
Cascading waterfalls (Raven Rock Falls, Hutchinson Homestead)
Hiking & rock climbing
Wildlife (deer, turkey, black bears)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking, 50-80°F)
Summer (60-80°F) - warm but shaded trails
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (50-70°F) - blooming wildflowers
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Stone Mountain State Park Campgrounds
Roaring Gap (10 mins) has small grocery stores
Boone (1 hour) & Winston-Salem (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
The granite dome hike is steep but rewarding
Weather changes quickly—pack layers
Bring a jacket—even in summer, mountains can be cool
Final Tips for Camping in North Carolina
✔ Reservations are recommended in summer & fall (especially near mountains & beaches)
✔ Black bears are common in the mountains—secure food properly
✔ Weather changes quickly—pack layers, rain gear & sun protection
✔ Remote areas require self-sufficiency—bring extra supplies
North Carolina’s diverse landscapes—from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks—offer unforgettable camping adventures. Whether you want mountain hikes, beachside relaxation, or forest retreats, these 10 destinations will give you an unforgettable North Carolina outdoor experience. 🏕️🌲🌊