If you love camping, there is no need to wait until you can afford a luxurious campground. There are many great spots for boondocking in North Carolina. Whether you head to the Appalachian Mountains, one of the fantastic cities, the inner coastal range, or the coastal area and the outer banks, you’re sure to have a great time.
Not sure where to go boondocking in North Carolina? Here are our favorite spots.
Boondocking Sites in North Carolina
Catfish Lake Boat Ramp
You can find free camping in North Carolina at the Catfish Lake Boat Ramp in the Croatan National Forest near Maysville. This is an excellent place to camp if you love to fish because bullheads, perch, and crappie are often biting. The nearby pocosin and the pine forest make this a great place to watch for wildlife, like deer and bears.
Basin Creek Camping Area
Basin Creek Camping Area is at Thurmond Chatham Game Land in Wilkes County, North Carolina. There are no amenities or cell service at this campground that can easily accommodate rigs up to 35 feet long. Blue Ridge Parkway is adjacent to this campground, and Stone Mountain State Park is about nine miles away.
Ammons Branch Campground
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Nantahala National Forest while camping at Ammons Branch Campground. Each site comes with a picnic table and lantern hangers. A pit toilet is available at these sites off Bull Pen Road near Highlands. This is a beautiful area to go hiking with many scenic overviews located nearby.
Long Point Boat Launch Camping
It is easy to get to the Long Point Boat Launch, and you can find free camping in North Carolina for units up to 39 feet long at this site in the Croatan National Forest near Maysville. The shallow water at this camp makes it a great place to launch a kayak. There is a vault toilet and fire rings available.
Bristol Fields Horse Camp
Located very near Fires Creek in the Fires Creek Backcountry Area of Nantahala National Forest, there are nine campsites at Bristol Fields Horse Camp. These campsites are perfect for equestrians as horse camping is allowed, but they are also great for hikers. There is a pit toilet. Nearby, the Rim Trail offers stunning views of the creek while the Leatherwood Trail offers spectacular views of the meadow as it loops around the Leatherwood Picnic Area. This secluded campground is near Hayesville.
Badin Horse Camp
Camp next to the fantastic hiking and horseback riding trails in Uwharrie National Forest near Troy by staying at Badin Horse Camp. There are no toilets or trash services, so be sure to come prepared to this boondocking in North Carolina site off Mullinix Road. There is also no nearby source of water. If you are looking to unplug and relax in the beautiful scenery, this is an outstanding option.
Where to Boondock in North Carolina
- Nantahala National Forest, near Cherokee and Bryson City, offers excellent boondocking. Here, you find gorgeous deep canyons and steep mountains to explore.
- Pisgah National Forest near Asheville is a mountain bikers’ delight and has plenty of dry camping.
- Uwharrie National Forest is near Charlotte and is home to Badin Lake, which brings in many boaters and kayakers. It also boasts lots of dispersed camping.
- Croatan National Forest near New Bern, Beaufort, and Morehead City offers campers lots of boondocking.
- The Department of Fish and Wildlife also has some dry camping available.
North Carolina is an amazing place to go camping, so load up your RV and head to one of these great options. If you don’t have an RV, then take advantage of this opportunity by renting one from RVshare!
