| Going Camping? Have you decided where to go? Let | | | | transported to a simpler life when you camp here. The |
| me give you a good idea of some fantastic places to | | | | campground is at the head of the Big Creek Trail that |
| go in North Carolina. That's right, North Carolina. What | | | | traces the old logging era railroad grade. If you want to |
| better state to go camping in? With the beautiful Blue | | | | cool off, you can do so in one of the swimming hole in |
| Ridge Mountains in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in | | | | Big Creek that pool between the white rapids. With Big |
| the east, all of it steeped in American history, there just | | | | Creek Campground as your base, you can enjoy all |
| isn't a better state to choose. | | | | the wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains. |
| But where in North Carolina? A difficult question to | | | | Hanging Rock State Park (Danbury, NC) |
| answer because there are so many options open to | | | | With the barren rock faces of the Sauratown |
| you. I will help you narrow it down by giving you some | | | | Mountains rising from the Piedmont, overlooking the |
| information on the top 5 places to go camping in North | | | | countryside, it is no wonder that dramatic setting of the |
| Carolina. Because these are all such great places, they | | | | Hanging Rock State Park is so popular! The |
| are not listed in any particular order. | | | | campground is a perfect base from which to explore |
| Merchants Millpond State Park (Sunbury, NC) | | | | the park and see all it's wonders. The 73 campsites |
| Located in the northeastern part of the state, this | | | | are in two loops. The first loop has 42 campsites and |
| camping spot often gets overlooked simply because it | | | | is open all week, while the second loop has 31 |
| is neither in the mountains nor on the beach. This is | | | | campsites that are open only on weekends. It is best |
| very unfortunate because it has so much to offer. The | | | | to get there by 1pm on Friday for a weekend camping |
| Merchants Millpond itself has been called a mini | | | | trip. But why not get there during the week and stay |
| Okefenokee Swamp because it has a wetland | | | | longer. You will be glad you did. |
| ecosystem. | | | | Balsam Mountain Campground (Cherokee, NC) |
| This makes it an excellent place for fishing and | | | | Experience something rare - red spruce and Fraser fir |
| canoeing. The high ground around the pond offers | | | | forest in the highest reaches of the great Smoky |
| many hiking trails. The campground is well maintained | | | | Mountains. Balsam Mountain Campground offers the |
| and very appealing. With only 20 campsites available, it | | | | highest tent camping in the Smokies in the type of |
| isn't overcrowded, but you do want to be sure to get | | | | forest usually found in Canada. Originally established in |
| there early to get a site. | | | | 1934, Balsam Mountain Campground was set up for |
| Lake James State Park (Morganton, NC) | | | | tent camping, as there really wasn't much in the way |
| Lake James hold the distinction of being one of the | | | | of RV camping at the time. Today, it is still for tent |
| clearest, cleanest lakes in the Carolinas. This is one of | | | | camping in the best tradition. Because the campsites |
| the newer camping spots and as such, has | | | | are too small for RVs, it is never over crowded. This |
| contemporary facilities. However, there is no Rv | | | | makes it ideal for a wonderful mountain get-away. Get |
| camping here, but it is great for tent campers. The | | | | away from the rat race and spend some quiet solitude |
| views are absolutely breathtaking. The high mountains | | | | in Balsam Mountain Campground, exploring the great |
| of the Pisgah National Forest can be seen across the | | | | Smoky Mountains to your heart's delight. |
| water. This campground has 2 campsites that are | | | | A couple of other places that merit a mention are |
| disabled accessible. There is so much to do here - | | | | Ocracoke Island Campground, which is only accessible |
| swimming, fishing, canoeing and hiking. What more | | | | by ferry, and Frisco Campground, which is in the Cape |
| could you ask for! | | | | Hatteras Seashore. Both are wonderful places to |
| Big Creek Campground (Cove Creek, NC) | | | | camp on or near the beach. |
| The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a great | | | | Tough choice, I know. You may want to go camping in |
| place but can be a bit overcrowded unless you know | | | | North Carolina every chance you get just so you can |
| where to go. Big Creek Campground is just such a | | | | experience them all. With always pleasing scenery, |
| place. It is the smallest campground in the Park with | | | | North Carolina is a camper's paradise. So, pack up |
| only 12 campsites and is tent only, which explains why | | | | your tent and sleeping bags and get ready for the |
| it is often not overcrowded. It is also a walk-in | | | | best camping experience you've ever had. |
| campground from the parking lot, so you are | | | | |