The 8 Best Camping Destinations in North Carolina

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1 year ago

Benjamin Park Bog Garden in Greensboro NC

North Carolina is an excellent holiday spot for camping enthusiasts. You can choose from mountainside glampsites to tent-friendly oceanfront dunes without leaving the state. Explore the best camping destinations in North Carolina to compare your options. Whether travelling alone or with loved ones, you’ll plan an incredible trip that creates lifelong memories.

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1. Peace of Pisgah

People spend the weekend at Peace of Pisgah when they want to pitch a tent, live their best glamping life or find a spot for their cosy live-in van. The 11-acre site has a creek running through it for private waterfront access amid its quiet forest. Bell tents are available, plus private showers and toilets. Recreational vehicles (RVs) and vans can also park at designated sites. You can even start a campfire at any of the overnight spots.

2. Greensboro KOA Journey

Fly into Greensboro and book a rental car — Kampgrounds of America (KOA) has five campsites near the city, offering 326 places to stay throughout those properties. The Greensboro KOA Journey location is among the best camping destinations in North Carolina because it has everything you could need for a comfortable stay.

There are propane lines, a pool and a dog park for your four-legged best friend. The location is also close to popular places like the Greensboro Science Center, so you can have fun in air conditioning if it’s too hot for hiking. Check out the RV and campsites before they get booked through the rest of the popular camping season.

3. Carolina Beach Campground

Locals love the Carolina Beach Campground. Take a standing paddleboard on the Cape Fear River or jump into the Atlantic Ocean after pitching your tent. Showers and toilets are available, plus potable water sources and sewage hookups. The campground is also pet-friendly. If you want to find restaurants or entertainment, you’ll be halfway between the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and everything Wilmington offers.

4. Tanglewood Creekside Campsites

North Cove is home to Tanglewood Creekside Campsites, which attract camping enthusiasts to North Carolina every year. Glamping tents, cabins, RV spots and campsites bring people together at the mountainside venue. The family-friendly location includes 170 acres for mountain biking, hiking and exploring, so there are numerous opportunities for fun.

Other nearby activities include wine tasting and spelunking. Tanglewood’s numerous tent sites and Instagram-worthy views could become your next favorite repeat destination.

5. Sky Ridge Yurts

You don’t have to leave the country to experience a yurt — Sky Ridge Yurts has eight available in the scenic hills of Bryson City. The various-sized structures can house between three and six people. They also come with a full kitchen, bath and laundry room. You could maximize your fun with add-on amenities you can’t get at traditional campsites. Locally sourced wine baskets, massage experts and photographers are on standby to make your trip the best yet.

6. Cape Lookout National Seashore

Embrace your inner adventurer by jumping on a boat to Cape Lookout National Seashore. The 56 miles of beach are so quiet that wild horses roam the island. Bring a telescope if you book a trip — this is an International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) location because it has particularly clear skies for sightseeing at night. You could even gaze at the Milky Way while the ocean waves crash against the shore just feet from your tent.

There are numerous campsites to consider, so compare your options before booking your trip. Some have full showers and public restrooms, while others are only open seasonally. Campfires on the beach are allowed if you build yours below the high tide line where the sand is damp.

7. Jomeokee Campground

You can’t miss Pilot Mountain if you fly into Winston-Salem. The iconic area has vast trails to explore, especially if you stay at Jomeokee Campground. Visitors can camp in tents, cars, vans, trucks and RVs. Hot showers, restrooms and water hookups are available. Live music and festivals occur on the campground throughout the year, so don’t forget to check the events calendar before choosing your travel dates.

8. The Refuge on Roanoke Island

If you can’t think about North Carolina without picturing The Lost Colony, treat yourself to an overnight stay on Roanoke Island. The former home of the 16th-century colony has numerous places to consider. The Refuge on Roanoke Island is a notable choice for camping enthusiasts because it has waterfront RV sites and a private pool.

You won’t be far from modern-day essentials, either. Toilets, showers, trash service and free property-wide Wi-Fi are available on-site. Your pets can even join you as long as they remain leashed on the property. Local festivals are frequent on the island, but you can also watch The Lost Colony theatrical performance or visit the North Carolina Aquarium down the road from the campsite.

Compare the Best Camping Destinations in North Carolina

Travel to North Carolina this year to make incredible camping memories. You could stay in the mountains, stargaze on the beach or holiday in the middle of the state to be close to many popular attractions. If you choose a venue with all your preferred amenities, you’ll have a great trip no matter where you go.