North Carolina is a wonderful state for camping; it has mountains for climbing and hiking, rivers for fishing and rafting, and cities for campers who want a little culture. The eastern side of the state borders on the Atlantic Ocean, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway runs through the mountains and offers spectacular views, and there are also lakes, rivers, and islands for those who like to play in the water. Here are some great camping spots in North Carolina.
Hatteras Sands is a campground in a good location on Cape Hatteras. It has two different areas, each with a security gate and canals for fishing. Hatteras Sands is near necessities such as restaurants, fishing piers, a medical center, and stores, and area attractions such as the Ocracoke Ferry, the Wright Memorial, Hatteras Lighthouse and Nags Head Dunes are not far away either. This campground does get crowded in the summer, so reservations are advised. Section B is usually quieter than Section A, which has a playground and children's pool, and there are 100 sites for RVs and 20 for camping at the park. Amenities there include a laundry, pool and spa, cable TV, a clubhouse and TV lounge, a soda shop, fitness room, and restrooms and showers. There are full hookups for RVs, and all sites have a picnic table. Paddle boats are available, and fishing, crabbing, and picnicking are popular activities at Hatteras Sands, as well as exploring the beaches of Cape Hatteras, charter fishing, and sightseeing.
The National Park Service operates the Smokemont Campground , which is located in Cherokee near the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The campground is on the Oconalufree River and is inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is popular and reservations are accepted during the summer months, so reserve a few months ahead for the best spots. There are around 200 camping sites in the park, and each has a picnic table, grill and fire ring. There are no hookups for RVs but there is a dump station; there are restrooms but no showers. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and canoeing are popular activities around the park, and ski areas, Dollywood, and Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are nearby. Rates at the park are around $15; there are several other camping parks in Cherokee and this is one of the most inexpensive.
Asheville East is a KOA park that is located in Swannanoa. The park has more than 200 sites for both tent camping and RVs. This is a shady park with restrooms and showers, full hookups for RVs, a laundry, and cable TV and internet connections; RV supplies and groceries are also available. The Swannanoa River runs through the park, and there are also two ponds; trout fishing is popular in both the river and ponds. Sites all have a picnic table and fire ring for campfires. There are boat rentals and paddleboats for the ponds, and a game room, mini-golf, horseshoes, and bike rentals are available. Nearby attractions include river rafting, horseback riding, Chimney Rock, and the Biltmore Estate, which is one of North Carolina's most visited attractions.
Hanging Rock State Park's campground is operated by North Carolina State Parks and is located in Danbury. There are 18 miles of hiking trails in the state park, a large lake, waterfalls, a beach, and a boat launch on the Dan River, as well as large trees and mountain views. Each camping site has a picnic table, fire ring and grill, but there are no hookups for RVs. There are restrooms and showers, and vending machines hold snacks during the summer months. Popular activities at Hanging Rock include swimming, boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and tubing on the river. Rates for camping are $10-$18 per night, and reservations are not taken so get there early for a good site. This is a very popular and quite lovely park; the sites are shady and large, and the scenery in this area is beautiful.
Four Paws Kingdom is a campground for those who like to camp with their dogs. It's a new park that has both RV and camping sites, and amenities such as full hookups for RVs, free satellite TV and video rentals, a pond, cabin rentals, a laundry, store, wireless internet connections, and a pavilion are offered. Doggie amenities include a big dog park with an off-lease run, a separate park for small dogs, an agility ring, doggie swimming pool and bathhouse, grooming areas, and hiking trails. An extensive schedule of educational seminars is offered, as well as classes on many subjects for both dogs and humans. This would be a very fun experience for anyone who likes to camp with a dog, and dogs and their owners are sure to meet others with similar interests at the park
