View Full Version : ? about camping areas around Hot Springs or Western NC
g8trh8tr
01-20-2010, 21:40
Does anyone know of any free or cheap camping areas accessible by vehicle or a very short walk from a parking area. I am going out with someone who is very new to hiking and wants to setup a basecamp and do dayhikes and then come back to camp in the evening. I am looking at western NC but I am open to other areas in North GA, NC, SC or even WV. Basically anything withing about a 3 hour radius from Charlotte, NC. Thanks in advance for any input.
Lyndz1989
01-20-2010, 21:46
Hanging Rock state park... You have to pay, but the views are fantastic if you are looking for site seeing trails.
Stone Mtn State Park http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/stmo/main.php
South Mtn State Park http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo/main.php
Crowders Mtn State Park http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/crmo/main.php
Cabin Fever
01-20-2010, 21:52
Beartree, just north of Damascus, is a great campground. AT runs right by the entrance.
Hot Springs Campground. Trail runs right by it.
Tennessee Viking
01-21-2010, 00:01
Do you want developed campgrounds or something just off the beaten path?
near Hot Springs:
Rocky Bluff, just outside of Hot Springs
Paint Creek below Hurricane & Allen Gap in Tennessee
Round Mountain a few miles from Max Patch in Tennessee
Uwharrie National Forest - Uwharrie Trail and Birkhead Wilderness
NC State Parks:
Umstead
Hanging Rock
Pilot Mountain
South Mountain
Stone Mountain
Eno River
Mt Mitchell
Falls Lake
Pisgah:
Linville Campground
Mt Pisgah campground
Black Mountain campground
Harmon Den
Laural Shelton Backcountry
Lost Cove/Harper Creek/Wilson Creek backcountry
Nantalhala
Standing Indian
Just about anywhere in Mt Rogers, VA
TN-Cherokee Forest
Dennis Cove
Horse Creek
Rock Creek
Backbone
Limestone Cove (in works of being re-opened to campings)
Phillips Hollow/Greystone backcountry (near Greenville TN)
South Carolina
any of the SC Foothill parks
Cabin Fever
01-21-2010, 11:16
Do you want developed campgrounds or something just how the beaten path?
near Hot Springs:
Rocky Bluff, just outside of Hot Springs
Paint Creek below Hurricane & Allen Gap in Tennessee
Round Mountain a few miles from Max Patch in Tennessee
Uwharrie National Forest - Uwharrie Trail and Birkhead Wilderness
NC State Parks:
Umstead
Hanging Rock
Pilot Mountain
South Mountain
Stone Mountain
Eno River
Mt Mitchell
Falls Lake
Pisgah:
Linville Campground
Mt Pisgah campground
Black Mountain campground
Harmon Den
Laural Shelton Backcountry
Lost Cove/Harper Creek/Wilson Creek backcountry
Nantalhala
Standing Indian
Just about anywhere in Mt Rogers, VA
TN-Cherokee Forest
Dennis Cove
Horse Creek
Rock Creek
Backbone
Limestone Cove (in works of being re-opened to campings)
Phillips Hollow/Greystone backcountry (near Greenville TN)
South Carolina
any of the SC Foothill parks
Do you just lurk around looking for posts I have made and respond to the same thread?
Tennessee Viking
01-21-2010, 19:52
Well it was first Mtn Squid, then Possum Bill, now you...:p
Chaco Taco
01-21-2010, 22:30
Wow so no one even mentioned Max Patch. Park at the bottom, camp on top, and hike on the AT. All the base camp you need and best of all, its free!
Hikes in Rain
01-22-2010, 07:34
Ssh! We're trying to keep it a secret! :)
Gray Blazer
01-22-2010, 08:19
I'd tell you the best place, but, you are a g8trh8tr!
Tim Tebow told me to tell you that the summit of Snowbird is pretty cool and free!
sherrill
01-22-2010, 09:07
I'll put in my suggestion for Stone Mountain State Park. It's a straight shot up I-77 from Charlotte, it has a nice car camping area (with bathrooms/showers), and has a mix of easy and moderately difficult trails with some nice views that are easy to get back and forth from the camping area.
Check out the link posted above.
Chaco Taco
01-22-2010, 10:14
I'd tell you the best place, but, you are a g8trh8tr!
Tim Tebow told me to tell you that the summit of Snowbird is pretty cool and free!
Snowbird? As in the mountain with the big FAA tower on it?
Chaco Taco
01-22-2010, 10:14
Ssh! We're trying to keep it a secret! :)
If you are referring to Max Patch, trust me, it aint a secret:rolleyes:
Old Hiker
01-22-2010, 10:18
Standing Indian Campgrounds, NC - AT access 1.5 miles up the road, 20+ mile loop around the campgrounds, several good blue blaze trails. Franklin 15(?) miles away.
Gray Blazer
01-22-2010, 13:16
Snowbird? As in the mountain with the big FAA tower on it?
Yeah, there are some great views up there like this one of Mt. Sterling.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/ATFOLDER089_thumb.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=20225&catid=member&imageuser=6217)
It's a great place to relax and watch the sunset. It's a pretty wild ride up to the top!