RV camping in North Carolina is a wonderful way to see the state. North Carolina is full of natural beauty, with coastal regions, mountain areas, and acres of trees with beautiful foliage. An RV allows you to explore many areas of the state, moving along when you’re ready to visit another region. You can also travel in comfort, surrounded by your own things and able to make the meals you want, when you want them.
Of course, RV camping in North Carolina doesn’t just happen. You’ll need to do some planning and decide what to pack, where to stay, and what to see while you’re there. This article can help with all of those logistics. We’ll cover everything you need to know about RV camping in North Carolina.
Finding Campgrounds
You’ll find lots of RV campgrounds in North Carolina, catering to a variety of travelers. Luxury campgrounds mean you can enjoy nature without giving up your creature comforts. You can also find primitive campgrounds or urban campgrounds in the middle of North Carolina cities.
Exploring public campgrounds in the state
First, we’ll look at public campgrounds in North Carolina. Public campgrounds include those at national and state parks, in national forests, and on other publicly-owned land. While public campgrounds are usually cheaper than private, they also tend to be more rustic and offer fewer amenities.
National Park Camping
Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches across parts of North Carolina, along with Tennessee. Several of the park campgrounds are in North Carolina, so you can spend the day exploring the park and then camp nearby that night. Great Smoky Mountains is America’s most-visited national park, so you’ll want to make campground reservations well in advance. If you’re entering the park from North Carolina, you’ll go through the Cherokee, NC entrance. Campgrounds do not have hookups or showers.
National Forest Camping
There are several national forests in North Carolina where you can camp. These campgrounds are usually primitive and rarely have hookups or amenities like showers. What they do have is gorgeous views that can go on for miles. The Croatan National Forest is a coastal forest with pines, estuaries, bogs, and swamps. All that water attracts a variety of wildlife and birds to watch. The Nantahala National Forest covers the southwest area of North Carolina. Visitors can camp, fish, raft, and hike in the forest.
State Park Camping
There are lots of North Carolina state parks across the state. Carolina Beach State Park is a popular coastal destination, with a marina and hiking trails through the park. Watch for Venus flytraps growing wild in the area. Medoc Mountain State Park features a granite swell and a placid creek that flows through the area. You can fish and hike in this region just 60 miles from Raleigh.
Exploring private campgrounds and RV parks
Private campgrounds are another excellent option when RV camping in North Carolina. Private campgrounds range from rustic campgrounds that may have dump stations but not much else, to glamping resorts with lots of amenities. You’re sure to find a North Carolina campground that suits you.
Emberglow Outdoor Resort is within two hours of several North Carolina cities and is tucked into the hills of Western North Carolina. It’s near Lake Lure and offers a variety of RV campsites and glamping options.
Wilderness Cove Campground is on the banks of the lower Green River, next to the protected Green River Game Lands. You can tube or kayak and hike right from the campground.
Boondocking in North Carolina
If you want to truly get away and into nature, boondocking in North Carolina is a great option. The Catfish Lake Boat Ramp is a great place to boondock in the Croatan National Forest. You’ll be close to fishing and can try to catch bullheads, perch, and crappie. The Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River campground allows you to climb at the Little Lost Cove Cliffs and mountain bike nearby.
Preparing for RV Camping
The next thing you’ll need for your RV camping trip is an actual RV. If you don’t have your own, RVshare can help. You can narrow your search to North Carolina rentals, and find the one that suits you best. Once you have your RV set, you’ll want to plan what to pack in it for your trip.
Choosing the right RV for your needs
If you’re having trouble narrowing down what type of RV you want to rent, here are some starting points. First, think about the size of your group. If you have a very small group, you can rent a small camper, a campervan, or a pop-up or teardrop trailer. If you have a large group, you’ll need a bigger Class C camper, a Class A motorhome, or a fifth-wheel or other large trailer.
You’ll also want to consider the amenities you want in a motorhome. If you don’t need many perks, a smaller or older model will probably suffice. If you want new gadgets, gleaming appliances, or lots of amenities like an entertainment area, you’ll probably want a newer, larger rig.
Finally, you’ll want to think about how you’ll get around once you’ve set up camp. If you’re driving a campervan, you can use that as your transportation and drive it back to camp each night to sleep in. If you have a trailer, you can use your tow vehicle once you’ve unhitched and set up the trailer. If, however, you have a Class A or large Class C camper, you may need to tow a vehicle behind to use. You can also see if the campground you’ve selected is near public transportation or a park shuttle.
Packing essentials for a successful trip
Once you’ve decided on an RV rental, you’ll need to decide what to pack for your trip. This can take some thought – you want to make sure you bring everything you need, but you don’t want to take up extra space or weight. We have packing lists for every kind of camping trip to get you started.
Considerations for Camping in North Carolina
Before you drive your RV in North Carolina, you’ll want to make sure you know the rules of the road. Most RV laws are the same for each state, but there can be variations. You’ll want to know the specific laws in North Carolina so you don’t get a ticket.
In North Carolina, an RV can be a maximum of 102 inches wide and 45 feet long. The maximum length for a trailer is 35 feet, and the maximum RV height is 13 1/2 feet. The maximum length for a combination of two vehicles (where one is being towed) is 60 feet. Passengers are allowed to ride in truck campers. Overnight parking is not allowed in rest areas. All RVs must have safety glass, and trailers over 4,000 lbs need trailer brakes.
General driving laws in North Carolina require that drivers have their headlights on when their wipers are on. A right turn is allowed on red unless there are signs posted that indicate otherwise.
Planning your itinerary
Now it’s time to decide what to do when you’re in North Carolina. Thanks to the beaches and rolling mountains, there are lots of chances to get outdoors and enjoy the scenery and fresh air. But North Carolina has many other attractions as well, from historic sites to museums to amusement parks. You’re sure to find things for the whole family to enjoy.
Features and attractions in North Carolina
A great way to explore North Carolina is by taking a scenic drive through the state. You can cover a lot of ground this way and see some amazing sights. The Blue River Parkway is a 469-mile drive, and 252 of those miles are in North Carolina. It winds through the Appalachians and connects Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway passes through the trees, waterfalls, and mountains of the Pisgah National Forest.
You should also check out some of North Carolina’s landmarks. Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome, is the highest mountain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the highest point in Tennessee. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is an 8,000-acre property that was built by George Vanderbilt as his home. Today, guests can tour the estate and shop, dine, and even stay on-site.
Finally, be sure to visit some of the national sites in North Carolina. The Wright Brothers National Memorial celebrates the men’s aeronautical achievements and recreates their Kitty Hawk camp. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a popular destination for people seeking a beach vacation at the Outer Banks.
Festivals, fairs, and events in North Carolina
You may find that there’s an event like a festival or state fair in North Carolina that you want to attend while you’re there. Or you may even plan your entire trip around this event. The North Carolina Azalea Festival is a beautiful celebration every summer, the LEAF Festival is an arts festival that takes place in Black Mountain each spring, and the North Carolina Jazz Festival is a wonderful weekend of jazz each winter.
If you do attend an event, many of them offer on-site camping at fairgrounds and other campgrounds. You can check your listing to see if the RV owner also offers setup. For a fee, some owners will set up your RV for you at the site, and you can get right to the fun.
Exploring Outdoor Activities in North Carolina
With all of North Carolina’s gorgeous scenery, you’ll probably want to head outdoors on your trip. You’ll have plenty of activities to choose from, including hiking and mountain biking. Here are some of the best hiking trails in North Carolina:
- Triple Falls Trail
- Looking Glass Rock Trail
- Rainbow Falls, Turtleback Falls, and Drift Falls
- Stone Mountain Loop Trail
If you prefer mountain biking to hiking, there are plenty of biking trails in North Carolina as well.
- Graveyard Upper Falls Trail
- Daniel Ridge Loop
- Wintergreen Falls Trail
- Salem Lake Trail
- Bridal Veil Falls via High Falls Parking Area
Fishing, boating, and water activities
Between oceans, lakes, and rivers, North Carolina is full of opportunities to get out on the water. Head out fishing at Falls Lake, where you might catch largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, perch, or several other types of fish. Lake Norman State Park has camping and opportunities to catch many of the same types of fish. You can also swim and boat on the lake for extra fun.
Spend a day at one of North Carolina’s beautiful beaches where you can swim, build sand castles, or relax on the shore. Lake James State Park has a campground, a marina, and a sandy beach. Visit Carova Beach to try and get a glimpse of North Carolina’s famous wild ponies. Nags Head Beach is also a popular spot for vacationers.
Finally, don’t miss North Carolina’s waterfalls. Whitewater Falls is actually a set of two waterfalls that flow over 400 feet apiece. And despite the name, Dry Falls has a path so you can walk behind the impressive falls on a path and get some unique pictures.
Wildlife viewing and photography
North Carolina has a variety of wildlife throughout the state. Depending on where you travel, you might see black bears, red wolves, deer, or other animals. If you visit the Outer Banks, you can even see the wild horses that roam the shores of Corolla and Shackleford Banks.
The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is home to a variety of birds, black bears, and red wolves. The Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge has lots of waterfowl, including many different kinds of ducks.
Family-friendly activities and attractions
Traveling to North Carolina with the whole family? There are plenty of activities to suit all ages. Besides the hiking and water activities mentioned above, there are lots of places to visit like museums, amusement parks, and other attractions.
Historical sites and museums
It’s always great when you can add some education to a fun family trip. Learn something new at a historic site like the Battleship North Carolina. The ship was the very first of its type commissioned and built for the U.S. Navy and was used in World War II. Fort Dobbs was a significant fort during the French and Indian War. Visitors can learn about the global war that encompassed five continents and set the groundwork for the American Revolutionary War.
You can also visit one of North Carolina’s many museums to learn something new. The Asheville Pinball Museum is a unique spot, and the admission price allows you to play the 80+ games for free. The North Carolina Museum of History will give you an excellent overview of the state and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh is the state’s most-visited museum and has interactive exhibits that teach about the natural world.
Amusement parks, zoos, and wildlife refuges
North Carolina’s amusement parks will entertain the whole family. Carowinds is the largest amusement park in North Carolina and has kiddie rides for the littlest guests and hair-raising roller coasters for the more adventurous. Frankie’s Fun Park is a small chain of family fun centers with several North Carolina locations. Frankie’s has mini golf, go-karts, and other attractions.
Zoos are another wonderful place to spend a day with the family. The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the entire world. The Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron is an animal sanctuary that provides a safe place for injured, mistreated, and unwanted animals.
You can see animals in the wild in some of North Carolina’s wildlife refuges. The Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in Ansonville is an 8,500-acre space that’s a resting place for Canada geese and a variety of other migratory birds. The Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge is a popular spot for songbirds returning from their migration to the West Indies and South America. Colorful wildflowers that attract the birds thrive in this area, so it’s a beautiful place to visit.
Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in North Carolina
An RV camping trip to North Carolina is a wonderful plan. However, it’s best to know about natural disasters and weather challenges that can occur. That way, you can be prepared for any emergencies.
Weather conditions and natural disaster preparedness
North Carolina has faced tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and snowstorms in various parts of the state. If you are in North Carolina when it’s being threatened by a hurricane, the best thing to do is leave the area before the storm hits. If you can’t leave, move to higher ground. Don’t ride out a hurricane in your RV – seek shelter in a more substantial building. Move away from the coast, and stay away from areas that are prone to landslides. Close curtains and stay away from windows to protect the area from broken glass.
If you are driving when there is flooding, be aware that water can be deceptive. More than one person has gotten stuck in a flooded underpass or other area because the water was deeper than they initially thought.
You can find more tips for dealing with extreme weather in an RV here.
Wildlife encounters and precautions
Wildlife in North Carolina includes bears, mountain lions, alligators, and cottonmouth snakes (also called water moccasins). Be bear aware – make noise when hiking so bears and mountain lions aren’t startled when you’re on the trail. Don’t let dogs or small children run ahead. Cottonmouths tend to emerge after dark, and they rarely bite humans unless they’re picked up or stepped on. If you encounter an alligator, back away slowly. If you’re in the water, try to avoid splashing.
