Best Campgrounds in North Carolina: 2026 Guide

North Carolina stretches from the highest peaks east of the Mississippi to the windswept barrier islands of the Atlantic. That range translates into camping experiences you simply cannot find in a single state anywhere else: waking beneath 6,000-foot summits in the Smokies one weekend, then falling asleep to crashing surf on Cape Hatteras the next. Whether you chase waterfalls, trout streams, or saltwater breezes, the Tar Heel State delivers.

Why North Carolina Stands Out

The Blue Ridge Parkway alone threads through dozens of campgrounds perched along the Appalachian spine, offering cool-weather escapes even in midsummer. Move east and you hit the Uwharrie National Forest — one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, now worn to gentle rolling hills laced with mountain-bike trails. Continue to the coast and Cape Hatteras National Seashore gives you sand-site camping steps from the ocean. Few states pack so many ecosystems into one drive.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Balsam Mountain Campground

Tucked into a remote corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, Balsam Mountain sits above 5,300 feet. The seclusion means smaller crowds and cooler nights, even in July and August.

Black Mountain Campground

Camping in the shadow of Mount Mitchell — the highest peak in the eastern U.S. — Black Mountain borders the South Toe River and draws hikers, anglers, and peak-baggers to Burnsville year-round.

Cape Point Campground

Set on the Outer Banks in Buxton, Cape Point delivers beachside camping where the Labrador Current meets the Gulf Stream. Surf fishing here is legendary, and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse stands nearby.

Cataloochee Campground

Located in the historic Cataloochee Valley of the Smokies near Waynesville, this campground is famous for its resident elk herd. Dawn and dusk bring unforgettable wildlife viewing right from camp.

Badin Lake Campground

Shaded forest meets lakeshore in the Uwharrie National Forest near Troy. Badin Lake is a year-round retreat for swimmers, boaters, and anglers exploring central North Carolina's rolling terrain.

Bandits Roost

Sitting on the south side of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in western North Carolina, Bandits Roost offers waterfront sites in the beautiful Yadkin River Valley near Wilkesboro.

Basin Cove Backcountry Camping

A primitive backcountry camp in historic Basin Cove at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Laurel Springs. Multiple trails wind through this rugged section of the southern Appalachians.

Arrowhead Campground

Another gem in the Badin Lake Recreation Area of Uwharrie National Forest, Arrowhead near East Troy offers diverse site types and direct access to central North Carolina's best mountain biking.

Planning Tips

Spring and fall deliver the best conditions across most of the state. The mountains stay cool through June, while coastal campgrounds peak in summer — book Outer Banks sites months ahead. The Uwharrie area is excellent year-round. Bring layers regardless of season: elevation changes of 5,000+ feet mean dramatic temperature swings in a short drive. Black bears are active throughout the western mountains, so use bear-proof storage.

Find More

Browse all North Carolina campgrounds on our North Carolina camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.