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