View Full Version : camping near asheville
jodestick
12-17-2008, 10:42
i am driving to wilmington, nc on friday. does anyone know of a good campig spot off I40 where i can throw up a tent? i don't need a nice campground, just a place to set up a tent around 11pm and then hit the road early on sat. any advice?
I think there is a campground off forty where mountain mommas used to be . I think its davenport Gap exit not for sure.
Gray Blazer
12-17-2008, 11:50
Max Patch is right off 40. Free Camping. You could camp at Davenport Gap (Waterville Road). You could drive to the top of Snowbird. All free. Easiest is to get off at Waterville Road and turn north after you cross the river and camp along the river.
Lone Wolf
12-17-2008, 11:51
ust sleep in your car at a rest area. no biggie
SmokyMtn Hiker
12-17-2008, 11:54
I-40 exit # 7 in NC sign will say Harmon Den. Go north "left" the pavement will turn to gravel and there are plenty of road side camping for the next few miles next to the creek.
Lone Wolf
12-17-2008, 11:55
Max Patch is right off 40. Free Camping.
right off I 40? try 5+ miles on a dirt road
I think there is a campground off forty where mountain mommas used to be . I think its davenport Gap exit not for sure.
Nope. The property the used to be Mountain Momas is a private residence now.
If you don't want to sleep in your car (which is obviously the easiest solution), Max Patch is a good idea. Take the Harmon Den Road exit, and then it's a longish drive up some Forest Service roads to the Max Patch parking area.
PS--I just remembered...There are a bunch of campsites right along the FS road at the Harmon Den Road exit. I've never camped at them myself, but I always see folks with camps set up next to the road and the creek.
Where are you going? Suggestions depend on direction of travel,
jodestick
12-17-2008, 13:28
i'm headed east, to wilmington.
i've been to max patch via hot springs and it was a pretty long drive! it seems like it would take a while to get there from I40. thoughts?
You don't go through Hot Springs. Get off I-40 at the Harmon Den Road exit. If you take a look at the Delorme Gazetteer for NC, you'll see the Forest Service roads that lead to Max Patch. But, as I said earlier, there are a number of campsites right along the FS roads, within a few minutes' drive of the Interstate.
Gray Blazer
12-17-2008, 13:39
Like everyone said,Harmon Den Rd is easy and pull off spots all along it.
Tennessee Viking
12-17-2008, 15:23
For the AT-Standing Bear Farm, several campsites along Harmon Den Road
But for camping around Asheville, you can jump on the parkway to the MST and camp on it. Also check out around Waynesville/Clyde.
Sorry I thought you were going from Wilmington to the west. The fastest route is I-40. Going through Boone will add at least an hour. If it were me, I'd go to the Big Creek RS and sleep in the parking lot (which I've done) . Its 5' off the interstate.