Camping off NC 181 or NC 221

[jdcascio1]

Hey guys, a few of my buddies and I want to go camping in a couple of weeks and also get some rock climbing in at Table Rock. I know there's some good camp sites off of 181 north of Morganton, but I'm more interested in something off the beaten path that may require a little ground clearance to get to, near a creek or river (water source), and not going to be bothered very frequently by local traffic or other visitors. There's going to be 5 of us total, so we'd need a decent amount of space for tents plus two or three vehicles (some may be arriving later in the evening).

Any suggestions would be great as two of us will be conducting reconnaissance of the area on Thursday. Grid coordinates or just old fashioned directions, even a Google pin would be welcomed.

 

[MBest75]

Hard to get too far off the beaten path unless you wanna go into the gorge in my opinion. If you’re climbing at table rock your best bet is something off either Table Rock road (there are a small handful of pull off sites that can accommodate 2-3 trucks) or old highway 105 (more spots for larger groups). No freshwater or creek access at either one and you’ll also not have to have much ground clearance to get in. 105 requires only a modest amount (my Subaru makes that one easy fwiw). If you’re climbing at Shortoff you’re even more limited in sites. Camping near a creek is tough to impossible near the gorge absent some backpacking. And avoiding visitors is pretty tough on either of those options.

Honestly the additional commute to table rock for climbing always leaves me camping wither right at the parking lot at the top (there’s a campground 150 feet in for tents or I sleep in the back of the outback) or on table rock road as I mentioned. 105 will add 30-45 minutes driving but it’s usually less busy so feels a bit more remote. Otherwise it’s surprising how much private property there is near the gorge that takes up the good camping sites and they’re not friendly to anyone camping on it without permission.

 

[izzyandsue]

I would recommend getting a Trails Illustrate Nat Geo map, so you can see all the options, and avoid private property. I use GaiaGPS Pro, which has overlays of all current Nat Geo maps. Mortimer would be a large campsite, Brown Mountain is closer but closed until April. With the map, you can see there are a few forest roads off 181 that can have camping space and are all on forest land. The gates may be open or closed, thats the gamble.

 

[MBest75]

Just as a heads up for Climbing before April 1, you'll need to hike from the gate up to Table Rock as the paved road to the top is closed. Sometimes that prohibits people from climbing there this time of year, for me it just means fewer crowds

 

[jfz80]

FSR 192 by roseboro has what you are after but maybe an hour from table rock or so. Has the most trail feel to it. Not suby approved though ive seen it tried, but easy for stock 4x4

Craig creek is closer to 181 with fewer options and more people but has water as well.

Also fsr 228 on the west side of 181 drops down to a some creekside options for larger groups to camp. Getting someone up there early to claim space may be wise. Steele creek falls trail is at end of this road as well.

 

[izzyandsue]

Just as a heads up for Climbing before April 1, you'll need to hike from the gate up to Table Rock as the paved road to the top is closed. Sometimes that prohibits people from climbing there this time of year, for me it just means fewer crowds

Yup, the last few switchbacks on the gravel road are a pain, but we bring out great pyrenees mountain dogs, and yell "mush!", and they pull us up.

 

[jdcascio1]

Thanks for the suggestions! I knew I could count on this group haha. Google satellite imagery is my best friend in this scenario. I've done some map recon in the suggested areas and located a slew of possible camp sites depending on gate closures and general access. I'm pretty familiar with 181 so I'll most likely focus on the west side FSR's near Steels creek as that wouldn't be too far of a journey for climbing. We are all former infantryman in this camping group, so if someone can't make the journey + gear to the rock face, than they deserve to have their blue cord rescinded haha.

I'll be driving up to 181 from Hickory on Saturday if anyone is interested in tagging along and maybe show me some less obvious locations. (FS 228, FS 496)