Are you looking for campgrounds in North Carolina, also known as the “Old North State” or the “Tarheel State”? You’re in luck, because North Carolina offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the great outdoors.
This southern state is great for camping, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the rolling hills or sandy beaches. Guests love the peaceful mountains and lively beach scene, the resorts with their many amenities, and the secluded campgrounds with breathtaking views.
No matter what area of the state you want to explore, there are great campgrounds in NC that will make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Let’s take a look at the top rated campgrounds in North Carolina so you can plan your trip to the Old North State. Dive in!
What is North Carolina known for?
Whether you want to enjoy the view of a sandy beach or a mountain ridge, North Carolina has the best of both worlds.
From the Outer Banks in the east to the Great Smoky Mountains in the west, the Old North State is a good place for all nature lovers. Throughout the state, you can fish, paddle, swim, boat, bike, hike and watch wildlife.
North Carolina also has a rich tradition in college sports. Fans of the Blue Devils, Tarheels, Wolfpacks, Demon Deacons and Mountaineers gather here year-round to cheer on their favorite teams.
Whether you want to take a romantic getaway to the Blue Ridge Mountains or attend a Saturday afternoon football game in Chapel Hill, North Carolina has plenty of activities and entertainment to keep you busy.
Is North Carolina good for camping?
The “Old North State” is great for camping because of its diverse weather, landscapes and attractions.
Visitors like to come near Asheville to enjoy the microbreweries and tour the Biltmore Estate. Others like to stay near Kure Beach to fish at the pier or visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
North Carolina’s four distinct seasons also make camping here so popular. The beauty of spring flowers and the stunning colors of fall draw travelers to the Great Smoky Mountains.
The popular ski slopes of Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain and the mild temperatures of Wilmington and Beaufort offer both winter camping and snowbird travel opportunities.
And the humid conditions of the coast, in contrast to the mild heat of the mountains, offer campers the opportunity to enjoy the ocean waves of Carolina Beach or the hiking trails of Mount Mitchell in the summer.
When is the best time to visit North Carolina?
There’s really no bad time to visit North Carolina. Many campgrounds in North Carolina are open year round. In the winter you can camp in the mountains and in the summer you can camp at the beach in June, July and August.
If you want to escape the heat, spring and fall are the best times to camp. However, if you want to jet ski or sled snow, you should come in summer or winter.
Best rated campgrounds in NC
When planning your trip, find dozens of campgrounds across the state. First, narrow your search to a specific location, the Mountain, Piedmont or Coastal regions. Then find one of these 12 campgrounds in N.C. to make your reservation.
1st Indian Creek Campground
Google Rating: 4.8/5
Address: 1367 Bunches Creek Road, Cherokee, NC 28719
Rate: Prices start at $36.
Due to its location deep in the mountains of NC, Indian Creek Campground is closed during the winter. Located on the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the campground is secluded and quiet. It has 74 sites, some with full hookups.
You can camp here amid forests and 88 acres of beautiful mountain land. Bunches Creek, an excellent trout fishing spot, runs through the campground.
Other nearby attractions (20-minute drive) include Harrah’s Casino, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, downtown Cherokee, gemstone mines, the Cherokee drama “Unto These Hills,” Oconaluftee Indian Village and more.
2nd Jomeokee Campground
Google Rating: 4.8/5
Address: 1140 Paces Place Road, Pinnacle, NC 27043
Rate: Prices start at $35.
Enjoy incredible views of Pilot Mountain at Jomeokee Campground. In the Saura Indian language, “Jomeokee” means “great leader” or “pilot.”
The campground is an ideal base camp for travelers exploring the Yadkin Valley. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, and paddling are popular outdoor activities in this region.
Pilot Mountain State Park is less than three miles from the campground, and Hanging Rock State Park is about a 30-minute drive away.
Jomeokee Campground offers a wide variety of campsites, from individual to group to premium, so there’s something for everyone. Amenities include hot showers, hookups, restrooms and fire pits.
3rd Moonshine Creek campground
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Address: 2486 Dark Ridge Road, Sylva, NC 28779
Rate: Prices start at $69.
Another campground in NC, located in the Great Smoky Mountains, is Moonshine Creek Campground. It offers peace and quiet for travelers looking for a more traditional camping experience.
Heated restrooms, a country store, cable TV, lawn games and other amenities provide everything you need without the added frills.
Riverfront RV sites offer 20/30/50 amp, sewer, water and cable hookups. Nearby you can go rafting, tubing, gem digging, golfing, trout fishing, and antique and craft shopping.
4th Cross Winds Family Campground
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Address: 160 Campground Lane, Linwood, NC 27299
Rate: Prices start at $50.
All sites at Cross Winds Family Campground have full hookups, a picnic table, a firepit and access to HD digital cable and Wi-Fi. The campground also offers a “seventh night free” weekly discount.
On-site amenities available to guests include a heated and cooled washhouse and bathhouse, catch-and-release pond, swimming pool and playground.
The famous Lexington BBQ Festival, Lazy Five Ranch & Zoo, Old Salem and N.C. Transportation Museum are some of the popular attractions nearby.
5th New Bern KOA Vacation
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Address: 1565 B Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Rate: Prices start at $40.
New Bern is located just inland on the Neuse River. This KOA Holiday in North Carolina’s second oldest city offers activities for the whole family including kayaking, paddle boating, barrel train rides, cornhole, ladder ball, horseshoe pitching, gem digging, bike rentals and swimming.
Guests can also fish in the pond or participate in one of the many weekend events. With full hookup sites up to 128 feet long, this KOA Holiday accommodates RVs of all sizes.
6th Murphy/Peace Valley KOA Holiday
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Address: 117 Happy Valley Road, Marble, NC 28905
Rate: Prices start at $48.
The next campground on our list of NC campgrounds is on the opposite side of the state. KOA Holiday in Marble, N.C., is about 1 mile from Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and 30 minutes from whitewater rafting adventures on the Ocoee River or Nantahala River.
Campground amenities include a dog park, seasonal swimming pool, game room, walking trail and more.
Whether you want to explore the outdoors or stay in your RV, this KOA Holiday is perfectly located in the Great Smoky Mountains.
7th Orchard Lake Campground
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Address: 460 Orchard Lake Road, Saluda, NC 28773
Rate: Prices start at $50.
Enjoy the blossoming apple trees of spring or the spectacular colors of fall at Orchard Lake Campground in western North Carolina.
The campground offers guests access to a zip line, waterslide, playgrounds, hiking trails, canoes, pool tables, climbing wall and much more.
Campers enjoy swimming, fishing and playing outdoor games such as cornhole, badminton and volleyball.
Plus, this North Carolina campground is close to attractions like the Biltmore Estate, Western North Carolina Air Museum and Flat Rock Playhouse.
8th Oak Hollow Campground
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Address: 3415 N Centennial Street, High Point, NC 27265
Rate: Prices start at $35.
One of the few campgrounds on this list in the Piedmont region of NC is Oak Hollow Campground. Located in the 1,550-acre Oak Hollow Park, it has 107 sites for RVs with full hookups and 13 tent sites.
The outdoor pool is open seasonally, and there is a playground and picnic area for families. The Oak Hollow Golf Course and Oak Hollow Marina offer other outdoor recreational opportunities.
9th Wilmington KOA Vacation
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Address: 7415 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28411
Rate: Prices start at $45.
Another KOA Holiday near the coast is located in Wilmington, N.C. This historic city offers Southern charm and hospitality, and guests enjoy the amenities of the RV park itself.
You’ll get back-in and pull-through sites up to 65 feet long for RVs of any length. The park also offers recycling, free Wi-Fi, firewood and propane gas. Other amenities include a dog park, bike rentals, cable TV, a giant chess board, ping pong, gaga ball, gem digging, barrel train rides and more.
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10th Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Address: 964 Crestview Church Road, Asheboro, NC 27205
Rate: Prices start at $48.
One of the most family-friendly campgrounds in NC is Jellystone Park in Asheboro. From Memorial Day through early August, families enjoy theme weeks with daily activities. It’s also within easy reach of the North Carolina Zoo, which is less than three miles from the campground.
All RV sites have full hookups, a firepit and picnic table. You can choose a site to put in or pull through. During your stay, you can enjoy a water slide, waterfall and 80,000 gallons of pool fun.
In addition, there are two stocked fishing ponds, a huge playground, an inflatable obstacle course and much more.
11th Davidson River campground
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Address: 1 Davidson River Circle, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Rate: Prices start at $32.
Davidson River Campground is nestled in the Pisgah National Forest, about three miles from the quaint town of Brevard. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy easy access to fishing, paddling, tubing and swimming.
Just across the street is the Pisgah Forest Ranger Station, where you can learn more about the miles of trails and wildlife. There are picnic tables, tent sites, fire pits, lantern poles, a trash collection station, and a portable water refill station. In addition, some sites have electricity.
12th Carolina Beach State Park
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Address: 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Rate: Prices start at $23.
North Carolina has some great state parks, but the only state park with a campground that made the list is Carolina Beach.
Located about 12 miles south of Wilmington, Carolina Beach State Park offers guests great access to history, southern charm and outdoor fun. It features 9 miles of hiking trails and offers fishing, picnicking and paddling opportunities.
The campground is open year-round and offers some RV sites with full hookups. You can also rent bikes, kayaks and paddleboards and use the coin-operated laundry facilities, bathhouses and marina store.
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Camping at one of the best campgrounds in the Old North State
These campgrounds in NC offer a variety of amenities, from an inflatable obstacle course to catch-and-release ponds to weekend activities. No matter which campground you choose, you’ll have plenty to do.
Don’t forget to explore the other sites in North Carolina, though. These campgrounds offer easy access to popular tourist attractions in Asheville, Asheboro, Winston-Salem, Wilmington, Carolina Beach and more.
And you’ll be able to admire the beauty and majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Carolina coast.
So when you’re looking to book your North Carolina road trip, consider these highly rated campgrounds. Where will you go first?