Calling all campers!!
Are you in need of some new ideas for places to go camping this upcoming year? Want to plan a camping trip with your family or friends, but don't know where to start? Check out this selection of sites!
Whether you're an advanced backpacker who likes a rustic site far away from the hustle and bustle, a college student looking for a free place to camp with friends, or a first-time camper who has to work the next day, there'll be an option for you!
Here's our bucket list of 12 phenomenal places to camp, complete with info about each one.
Sites in Virginia:
James River State Park Camping:
Full of paddling, hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities, the James River state park is a great option for almost anybody who loves the outdoors! Located in central Virginia, the James River area is most known for its paddlesports opportunities, so if you've been looking for an excuse to get that new kayak, look no further!
Find out more information about the park here!
Loft Mountain Campground, Shenandoah National Park:
A national park in Virginia with amazing hiking opportunities and beautiful, distinct seasons, Shenandoah boasts an absolutely enormous campground on loft mountain. Perfect for a car camping trip with friends or family!
Find out more information about the park here!
Grayson Highlands State Park Camping
Grayson highlands is a hiker's paradise. Stunning balds and views, high-country landscape, and wildlife, (including its famous wild horses), are what the area is most known for. Grayson Highlands State Park has two major campgrounds, which we've detailed below. If backpacking is more of your thing, and you need some choices along the route, don't fear- there's plenty of primitive camping in the area too!
Find out more information about the park here!
Sites in NC:
Hanging Rock State Park Campgrounds
A great place to take a fun weekend trip with your family or friends, Hanging Rock State Park has it all: camping, hiking, paddling, swimming, climbing... and it's easily accessible, close to civilization without being too close. Part of the isolated Sauratown range, the park offers the mountain experience a mere 2 hours from the Triangle!
Find out more information about the park here!
Umstead State Park Camping
Umstead State Park is a classic hiking destination for those who live in the Triangle- a forest tucked away inside the city. But the 5000+ acre park doesn't only offer hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and paddling - it also offers camping, with over 25 campsites available for use. Just 10 miles from downtown Raleigh, Umstead is the perfect outdoors getaway when you're pressed for time and just want to escape into nature for a little while.
Find out more information about the park here!
Fires Creek Recreation Area Camping
A remote, rustic campground and primitive camping area, Fires Creek offers stunning views and balds on the Fires Creek Rim Trail, far away from the hustle and bustle of other busier hiking areas. While the site doesn't have much infrastructure surrounding it, it's a free, phenomenal place to get in a great day of peaceful hiking and camping.
Find out more information about the park here!
Hot Springs (Appalachian Trail) Camping
The beautiful, rustic town of Hot Springs is a section and thru- hiker's paradise, with delicious food, an outfitter, a laundromat, top-tier coffee, and, most importantly, the town's namesake hot springs. The town is on both the famed Appalachian Trail and the French Broad River, and there's both a campsite and dispersed roadside camping here, so feel free to choose your own adventure!
Find out more information about the area here!
Wine Spring Horse Camp
Located in the Nantahala National Forest and close to both the Bartram and Appalachian Trail, this camp is a great place for backpackers or a perfect home base for a rustic weekend hiking excursion. Two beautiful balds and a fire tower are located in this area, as is Nantahala lake, and the wide open spaces offer beautiful views of the Smokies and Chilhowees.
Find out more information about the park here!
Oyster Point Campground (Croatan National Forest)
A campground nestled within the Croatan National Forest, Oyster Point is the perfect place for boaters, kayakers, and anglers of all kinds. Situated on the Intercoastal Waterway and boasting a shallow water boat ramp, it serves as a great base camp for any water adventures. The site is on the scenic Neusiok trail, so there's great opportunities for hikers too!
Find out more information about the park here!
Carolina Beach State Park Camping
As its name implies, this state park is located right by Carolina Beach! While no swimming is available at the park, almost every other outdoor activity is (and the swimming can be found close by!). The scenery is uniquely beautiful - you can see venus flytraps, a 60-foot sand dune, and limesink ponds. The park is also on the Interstate Waterway, making it an amazing choice for boaters and anglers!
Find out more information about the park here!
Sites in SC:
Oconee State Park, South Carolina
A state park on the Foothills Trail, this area offers great hiking, fishing, and swimming, as well as a large amount of fully furbished campsites- with electricity, power, and sewer!
Find out more information about the park here!
Table Rock State Park, South Carolina
Right on the SC/NC border, Table Rock State Park is a perfect place for a new camper, for someone who still wants to stay connected to the outside world, or for anyone who wants a great weekend getaway without rigorous planning and a 30lb backpack! The park has a robust trail system, leading up to the its namesake Table Rock and connecting to the foothills and palmetto trails.
Find out more information about the park here!
