From the shimmering oceanside to rugged hills and mountains, there are numerous North Carolina landmarks to discover. Whether you’re talking natural, cultural, historical, or all three, you’re sure to find something that suits your fancy. The most famous landmark in North Carolina is the Biltmore Estate, and the best way to visit these North Carolina landmarks is in the comfort of an RV!
Top Landmarks in North Carolina
North Carolina Landmarks
The Biltmore Estate
Make no mistake about it, Asheville is chock-full of incredible attractions and destinations—easily worthy of a list all its own. But for those who make a point of knocking must-see landmarks off their list, we’d be remiss not to mention the Biltmore Estate, a sprawling 8,000-acre property known as America’s largest home and built by none other than (you guessed it) George Vanderbilt.
Today, the estate offers a historic house museum as well as a wide variety of other fun features, like on-site shopping and dining options, lodging, and more.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Other great things to do in Asheville include the North Carolina Arboretum and the Asheville Pinball Museum.
There are a number of great campgrounds around Asheville. Below are a couple we think will serve you well when checking out the Biltmore Estate:
Clingmans Dome
Tucked ever so slightly this side of the Tennessee border at the place where Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the state line, Clingmans Dome is a unique mountain observatory path. It gives you a little extra boost to better see the incredible sights that characterize this part of the country.
Standing 6,643 feet tall with a prominence of 4,505 feet, this peak is the highest in all of the national park—and on a clear day, your view can extend for more than 100 miles.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Obviously, you’ll want to explore the rest of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park while in the area.
Camping in and around the Great Smoky Mountains is easy enough to find. Some of our favorite spots near this particular North Carolina landmark include the following:
Mount Mitchell
Clingmans Dome might bear the title for highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but when it comes to the highest point in the state of North Carolina, it’s Mount Mitchell. In fact, Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, standing 6,684 feet tall and protected by the surrounding state park of the same name.
Although you can drive, hiking to the top of Mount Mitchell is also a possibility, although at more than 11 miles round-trip and almost 4,000 feet of elevation gain, it certainly is an undertaking.
No matter how you get there, at the top you can enjoy views from the observation deck and learn more about the mountain’s cultural and natural history at the museum you’ll find there.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
There are tons of amazing outdoor activities to take part in near this state park. We recommend hiking to Setrock Creek Falls and a drive on Blue Ridge Parkway.
Mount Mitchell State Park does play host to a campground, but only tents are able to stay there. Therefore, you will need to look elsewhere for nearby RV camping. Below are our favorite options:
Looking Glass Falls
Another well-known Asheville-area attraction, Looking Glass Falls is less than an hour from the center of the city, but it would be worth the drive even if it were double that distance.
One of its best features? Unlike many of the other waterfalls in this area (and there are plenty), Looking Glass Falls is a roadside cascade that’s easily accessible to a wide variety of viewers; there’s no need to take a long hike into the woods to enjoy the view. That said, plenty of visitors get out of their cars to go and sit at the foot of the falls and bask in its spray or simply enjoy a scenic picnic.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Looking for more to do in Asheville? Consider the Western North Carolina Nature Center and a visit to the River Arts District.
Sliding Rock
As the name suggests, Sliding Rock is essentially a giant, natural waterslide and it is an absolute blast! Just be sure to brace yourself, because even during North Carolina’s balmy summers, those mountain swimming holes can be COLD. You’ll quickly forget about it as you’re zipping down the 60-foot rock slide, though!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Asheville Botanical Garden isn’t too far away and is worth a visit.
Either of the campgrounds listed above for Looking Glass Falls would work well for those looking to check out Sliding rock as well. That said, if those won’t work for you, one of the options below might be a good pick:
Reed Gold Mine
When you think of the history of gold mining in America, your mind might first wander toward California or Alaska, not North Carolina. But the Reed Gold Mine, located in the south-central part of the state just a short ways east of Charlotte, was actually the first place gold was ever discovered in the U.S.—or at least, the first place the discovery was documented.
That was back in the 1800s. Today, the gold mine is a preserved historical site offering guided tours and interpretive information to help shed more light on this unique and often-overlooked part of North Carolinian history—and the history of the South as a whole.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
There isn’t a lot to do around Reed Gold Mine, as it is pretty remote. Rocky River Vineyards isn’t too far away and could make for a fun day trip.
For those looking to stay near Reed Gold Mine, the closest RV camping is in Concord, which is about half an hour away. Our two favorite campgrounds in this town are listed below:
St. Peter Catholic Church
The oldest Catholic church in the city of Charlotte—and the only Jesuit parish here—the beautiful St. Peter Catholic Church first opened its doors in 1893, and continues to offer masses and services on a weekly basis for its faithful congregation and any who wish to join.
The building features simple but stunning Victorian Gothic architecture, making for an eye-catching profile against the more modern surrounding buildings that surround the church along the Charlotte skyline.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Charlotte is an excellent city for those looking for things to do. Some of our favorite attractions include Carowinds and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The aforementioned Concord campgrounds are not too far away from St. Peter Catholic Church. That said, those looking to stay even closer might consider one of the following:
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Whether or not you regularly participate in the miracle of human flight, you probably know how much we owe as a species to the brave Wright Brothers, who were the first to successfully pilot a heavier-than-air flying machine. That historic moment took place at none other than Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in the year 1903—not all that long ago, when you think about it.
These days, the Wright Brothers National Memorial offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about this important part of our human history.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The Kitty Hawk area offers a handful of things to see and do. The Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve is a good spot to get outside and the nearby beaches are wonderful.
There are a handful of great camping options near this landmark in North Carolina. We recommend any of the options below:
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Another must-see in the Outer Banks, the 210-foot-tall Cape Hatteras Lighthouse bears the distinction of being the tallest brick lighthouse structure in the United States, and the second-tallest such structure in the world. Although it’s only the 15th tallest lighthouse in the U.S., that’s due in large part to the fact that the first 14 on the list were built onto higher ground, whereas Hatteras’ base is essentially at sea level.
Visit for yourself to climb the historic building, see its sights, and learn even more about its history!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
In addition to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, we also recommend checking out the Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History Center and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.
We were surprised to find a good number of campgrounds way down by this lighthouse. Here are our favorites:
Battleship North Carolina
Moored in the eerie-sounding Cape Fear River in the town of Wilmington, Battleship North Carolina both memorializes and educates the public about the ship preserved here, which served in World War II. This ship is the lead ship of the North Carolina class of battleships, and was also the very first vessel of its type commissioned and built for the United States Navy.
Today, you and your family can climb aboard to imagine what life was like behind her hull, as well as learn more about the important role she served in our nation’s history.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The town of Wilmington is a very welcoming place with plenty to do including Arlie Gardens and the Bellamy Mansion Museum.
The town also boasts several RV parks to choose from. We like the ones listed below:
Planning an RV Trip to North Carolina
Ready to experience all of these North Carolina landmarks for yourself? We’ve got everything you need to plan an epic RV trip to the state! For one thing, we’ve got your back when it comes to the RV rental itself. We also have a guide on Great Smoky Mountains National Park and lists of the to-dos in major North Carolina cities.
