Stream/Riverside Camping Locations?

[Jaeco]

Friends, I’m looking for some scenic campsites, FJ and offroad trailer accessible, not at an actual pay site campground. Something a little more off the grid.

Bonus points for being on a river and in the mountains. Old NC Hwy 105 is one of my favorite spots, but I’m looking for something different.

Anyone have recommendations?

 

[jfz80]

Weaver bend bear sanctuary. Good base for exploring hot springs and paint creek surrounding areas

 

[UZJ105]

Weaver bend bear sanctuary. Good base for exploring hot springs and paint creek surrounding areas

Weaver Bend is great. Camping spots fill up quick. We were there Saturday and the gate just North of the railroad tracks was locked, preventing access to the actual Weaver Bend portion. There are a few roadside camping spots on the river, alongside Weaver Bend Rd. Most were full, so we headed to Martha Sunquist, where there are some creek-side camping sites

 

[Jaeco]

Is that on the TN/NC line?

 

[UZJ105]

Is that on the TN/NC line?

Yessir

 

[jfz80]

Some nice spots avail roadside in 208 b/w belva and hurricane too. Unfortunately the last couple years the cleanliness has taken a sharp decline. :/

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Weaver's Bend and wolf's creek falls are both stellar.

 

[izzyandsue]

There are quite a few riverside camping sites along the first 1/2 of the Georgia Traverse trail as well, some require water crossings, like Sarah's Creak, Earl Ford, and the Tallulah River area, Earl Ford's water can move fast and deep during heavy rains, BTW.

If you make it down to Tray Mountain, Corbin Creek Rd has amazing creekside camping too, some are islands you have to cross water to get too as well. But call the Rangers ahead to make sure the road is open, it is seasonal.

 

[lumbee1]

Hot Springs Campground right beside the French Broad.

 

[UZJ105]

FYI: I just spoke w/ a gentleman from the US Forrest Service about Weaver's Bend (French Broad River). He said that it is temporarily closed due to invasive species work and road work. He expects the gate to be locked for another 6 to 8 weeks.

 

[roadstr6]

I know last time I was there, a hungry species of mosquitoes invaded my tent and literally ate me alive.

 

[jfz80]

Get a de Lorme backroads atlas and go exploring.
Lots to be found. Linville gorge has a few that have been previously mentioned. It’s my go to spot these days due to time and distance constraints. Just don’t geotag and post your awesome spots for all to ruin. I know several of you hate this mentality but it’s a sad truth.

RIP cullowhee :/

 

[SFROMAN]

Can anyone confirm if weavers bend is still closed?

 

[UZJ105]

Can anyone confirm if weavers bend is still closed?

Yes, I spoke with a Ranger on June 2nd and he confirmed the gate will be closed for 6-8 weeks. They are doing invasive species work. His email is ford.baker@usda.gov

 

[SFROMAN]

I don't want to start a new thread because I am basically looking for the same info. My wife and I want to camp for 3 days after we drop off our kids at camp. I was thinking of heading out to the Asheville area and camp in the same spots that we stay in during our hurricane creek runs but I am thinking that some of those spots might be closed.

we would be starting out just north of Winston-Salem and have three days. I don't mind driving to get to the western mountains in and around Asheville area. I would like to stay and explore in North Carolina maybe along the blue ridge highway if its open. I would rather not stay in campgrounds but not completely opposed to it. if any of you NC natives got any suggestions please send them my way. I can do the research just need to be pointed in the right direction. Please PM me if you don't want to post up here. Thanks

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Which truck are you taking? Wolf creek Falls is good, as is round mountain campground. In general, it's very primitive, but round mountain has pit toilets.

 

[SFROMAN]

yeah. I know about wolf creek falls and round mountain. I am taking my f250 since I don't plan on doing anything harder than a forest road.

I kind of want to check out something new though. my rough plan so far is to stay in Stone mountain state park for the first night since we will already be near there.

Then head down the Blueridge parkway. I am hoping to find primitiveish camping in the Linville gorge area for the second night.

Then keep heading down the blueridge until I find a campsite for the third day. There is plenty of waterfalls and overlooks to check out off of or near the blueridge parkway and I have never driven it so I figure this would be a good time to check it out.

Since that area is fairly new to me I was hoping to get suggestions but it is not too hard to find things to check out while driving along the parkway.

I don't have a set plan yet since I am still researching but I will check out the map tonight along with some travel apps that I have and get some ideas.

 

[JohnVee]

@SFROMAN Remembr that the speed limits on the parkway are low. 45mph max, IIRC.

 

[SFROMAN]

Speed limit? What’s that? Haha

 

[mtweller]

Speed limit? What’s that? Haha

You don't want to get a speeding ticket on the parkway!

ETA - I had always heard they have steep fines, but a quick search on the googles says maybe not so bad.