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Free and low cost camping in North Carolina. Click the GPS markers to find a description of the campsite. Click the link within the popups for more information.

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Primitive camp on Ammons Branch. From Highlands, follow Main St. east out of town about 4.5 miles through Horse Cove. When pavement ends, bear right on Bull Pen Rd and go 1.5 miles.

Continue reading about Ammons Branch

A beautiful camping area. The campsites are very well spread out and nearby Glen Falls Trail #8 is a beautiful hike. The lower trail head for it is at the end of FR79C which is walking distance from some of the campsites. Many of the campsites are alongside a stream. Not too far from Highlands. [...]

Continue reading about Blue Valley Dispersed Campground

$3/night – Located in the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest. This campground has vault toilets and 14 sites with lamp posts, picnic tables, and grills. There are no RV hookups. Hiking Benson Hollow Loop a 5.5mi loop that is open to foot, bike, horse and OHV traffic. Fishing There is a small pond [...]

Continue reading about Boone Fork Campground

Primitive camping along the Fires Creek. Horse camp here with 7 sites. I believe there is some free dispersed camping along this same road near the creek, but currently unable to confirm this. Horse camp rates are $5. From Hayesville, take SR 13007 3 miles to SR 1300. Go 5.7 miles to SR 1344 / [...]

Continue reading about Bristol Horse Camp

Stayed here for one night 05/03/2008 Only people there. Far enough off the road for privacy. Only legal during hunting season. Shaded. Nice hiking. No Amenities.

Continue reading about Butner Lake WMA

$10/night. There is a 1 mile interpretive trail. Lots of hiking in the area. Being on the water, it is also a popular spot for boating and fishing.

Continue reading about Cable Cove

Free dispersed camping in the Croatan National Forest. Catfish Lake offers a small boat ramp and disperse camping area. The lake is shallow and therefore only flat bottom boats should be on it. Usage: Light Closest Towns: New Bern, Havelock, Maysville, Pollocksville Offers a boat launch for access to Catfish Lake Size Restrictions Small flat [...]

Continue reading about Catfish Lake Boat Launch

$5/Night. Free dispersed camping nearby. Showers on site!

Continue reading about Curtis Creek

Free camping in the Croatan National Forest. Open year-round. South of New Bern, NC. There are 9 tent sites, vault toilets and water available. Activities at this site include camping, swimming and fishing. This is a dispersed area and allows group camping. Usage: Light Restrictions: Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. [...]

Continue reading about Fisher’s Landing

Free dispersed camping. Great Lake is located in the Croatan National Forest. It has boat access for shallow-bottomed boats. Area Usage: Light Restroom: Vault This blog post recommends high clearance vehicles. I suggest you contact the forest service for specific conditions in the area. Boating Offers a boat launch for access to Great Lake. Size [...]

Continue reading about Great Lake Boat Launch

$8/night Located on the Hiwassee Lake, this campground offers boating, fishing and hiking opportunities. From Murphy, NC: Take NC 1326 west 5 miles.

Continue reading about Hanging Dog

$10/night 04/15 – 10/31 $5/night 11/1 – 04/14 – No water in winter. From Robbinsville: Take US 129 north 1 mile. Left on NC 143 west for 10 miles. right on SR 1159 for 2.3 miles. Right at Joyce Kilmer Rd. 0.5 miles.

Continue reading about Horse Cove

$6/night. Hiking, fishing and horse trails. Pretty far out of town (for the east coast). 12-13 miles from Franklin.

Continue reading about Hurricane Creek

Free camping in the Croatan National Forest Primitive camping is available, along with opportunities to fish and boat (shallow launch). There are no amenities at this site. The drive to Longpoint boat launch offers scenery through pine forest where you may catch a glimpse of the red-cockaded woodpecker and endangered species the Croatan National Forest [...]

Continue reading about Long Point Boat Launch

$10/night Next to Thorpe Creek. Picnic shelter, showers, fishing, drinking water, restrooms From Lenoir: Take NC90 west to Collettsville. Turn right on SR 1328 (turns to gravel). Go 8.5 miles. At NC 90, turn left.

Continue reading about Mortimer

$8/night From Hot Springs, take NC209 south 3.3 miles. Left turn into campground.

Continue reading about Rocky Bluff

A free primitive camping area of the Croatan National Forest. This recreation site offers canoe, kayak launch and beach acces. Usage: Light Restrictions: No vehicles allowed on the beach. Closest Towns: Havelock River and Stream Fishing Fishing in the Neuse River is available Fishing Mode: Boat, Canoe, raft, kayak, small flat bottom boat Fish Species: [...]

Continue reading about Siddie Fields