One of the nicest things about camping (and there are many nice things…) is that you can get away for an entire weekend without draining your wallet. North Carolina is teeming with awesome campgrounds where you can steal away and enjoy nature for the weekend. We explored the locations in the Tar Heel State that are on Federal lands only and have pulled some of the best campgrounds where you can spend the night for 25 dollars – or less! Take a peek, and then start planning your next adventure!
- Arrowhead Campground - New London
Charles Haigh/Google maps Located at Badin Lake, Arrowhead has paved campsites, making easier accessibility for many travelers; even the fire pits are on a stable surface making it less likely you’ll trip after dark. The campground is shaded by the Uwharrie National Forest and is open year-round. Site rates vary based on size and available hookups and start at $20 for a non-electric site. More info here. Address: 789 HWY 24/27, New London, NC, 28127
- Bandit’s Roost Campground at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir - Wilkesboro
raywells2006/TripAdvisor Nestled in the Yadkin Valley, Bandit’s Roost Campground may make you feel fat and happy like a bandit when you only have to pay $18 for a non-electric tent site. Standard sites with electric are only $24 per night. With so many opportunities for outdoor recreation, this campground belongs near the top of your list! It’s open seasonally from April 1 through October 30. More info here. Address: 667 Jess Walsh Drive, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697
- Warrior Creek Campground - Boomer
Chuck Payne/Google Enjoy fun in the sun on the sandy beach at this lakeside campground on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. Of the 61 campsites, only 6 of them are tent only. Rates here vary from $20-$24 a night for non-group sites. It’s open seasonally from April 15 through October 14. More info here.Address: 7659 NC-268, Boomer, NC, 28606
- Julian Price Campground - Laurel Springs
©Robin Jarvis Nestled right on the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside of Blowing Rock and alongside picturesque Price Lake is popular Julian Price Campground. Note, only one loop of this campground is lakeside; although, the other loops are in a spectacular forest setting! Wake to the sun rising over the mountains and make breaksfast over a wood fire before you take the two-mile loop trail around the lake. The campground is open seasonally from mid-May through mid-October. Many sites are walk-in only but they’re all affordably priced at $20/night. More info here.Address: Blue Ridge Parkway, Laurel Springs, NC, 28644 - at Milepost 297
- Cape Point Campground - Cape Hatteras
Arthur Taylor/Google Park yourself in a location convenient to all of the sites and attractions of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You may even have a front row seat for a view of the tallest lighthouse in America! All sites are non-electric and run $20 per night. It’s open seasonally from mid-April through Thanksgiving weekend. More info here.Address: 46700 Old Lighthouse Road, Buxton, NC, 27920
- Carolina Hemlocks Campground - near Burnsville
Zachary Maynard/Google Camp underneath the canopy of a hemlock forest and among thick mountain laurel at this riverside oasis. Any adventure at this campground should definitely include a planned day just for enjoying the waters of the South Toe River! This campground only has tent and small trailer sites. Individual sites (either with or without electric) are $22 per night. Carolina Hemlocks Campground is open from April 15 through October 30. More info here.Address: 76000 NC-80, Burnsville, NC, 28714
- Smokemont Campground - Cherokee
Chris Lynch/Google Open seasonally from mid-February through the end of October, Smokemont Campground near Cherokee is just inside the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundaries (on the NC side). From here, you can explore the entire GSMNP, or just enjoy the trails and other recreational opportunities found within the campground. All sites, RV, tent, electric, and non-electric, are $25 per night. More info here.Address: Smokemont Campground Road A, Cherokee, NC, 28719
- Linville Falls Campground - Linville Falls
Carlos Loaiza/Google maps Take a quick turn off the Blue Ridge Parkway to arrive at this Recreation.gov campground right on the parkway. It offers both tent and RV sites with or without electric for only $20. Bunk down here and explore all the trails and waterfalls in the area! (Please note: there is another Linville Falls Campground that also has “RV Park” in their name. Don’t confuse that one with this one.) We’ve posted the photo of the turn off from the parkway so you won’t get this campground confused with the other one with the same name. More info here.Address: GPS coordinates 35.9680556, -81.9322222 Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 316.4
- Badin Lake Campground - New London
Shane Lambert/Google This campground located on the shore of the 5,000-acre Badin Lake and has both RV and tent sites available. Rates vary based upon amenities/hookups available per site. The campground offers swimming, fishing, and a shady canopy inside the Uwharrie National Forest. It’s open year-round. A standard non-electric site runs $20 per night. More info here. Address: 429 Badin Lake Recreation Area Road, New London, NC, 28127
- Cataloochee Campground - near Waynesville
Ken A/TripAdvisor Enjoy the remoteness of this campground in the heart of the Cataloochee Valley and inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From here, you can explore a number of magical trails through the wilderness to preserved historic sites, like the Palmer House found in the middle of the woods along a trail. The campground offers flush toilets, but no showers. All sites are standard non-electric and cost $25 per night. More info here.Address: Cataloochee Entrance Road, Waynesville, NC, 28785
Have you had the pleasure of discovering the inexpensive fun at any of these campgrounds in North Carolina? We’d love to hear all about it in our comments. And if you have another fave that’s under 26 bucks a night, please add it to the list via the comments!
Charles Haigh/Google maps
Located at Badin Lake, Arrowhead has paved campsites, making easier accessibility for many travelers; even the fire pits are on a stable surface making it less likely you’ll trip after dark. The campground is shaded by the Uwharrie National Forest and is open year-round. Site rates vary based on size and available hookups and start at $20 for a non-electric site. More info here. Address: 789 HWY 24/27, New London, NC, 28127
raywells2006/TripAdvisor
Nestled in the Yadkin Valley, Bandit’s Roost Campground may make you feel fat and happy like a bandit when you only have to pay $18 for a non-electric tent site. Standard sites with electric are only $24 per night. With so many opportunities for outdoor recreation, this campground belongs near the top of your list! It’s open seasonally from April 1 through October 30. More info here. Address: 667 Jess Walsh Drive, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697
Chuck Payne/Google
Enjoy fun in the sun on the sandy beach at this lakeside campground on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. Of the 61 campsites, only 6 of them are tent only. Rates here vary from $20-$24 a night for non-group sites. It’s open seasonally from April 15 through October 14. More info here.Address: 7659 NC-268, Boomer, NC, 28606
©Robin Jarvis
Nestled right on the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside of Blowing Rock and alongside picturesque Price Lake is popular Julian Price Campground. Note, only one loop of this campground is lakeside; although, the other loops are in a spectacular forest setting! Wake to the sun rising over the mountains and make breaksfast over a wood fire before you take the two-mile loop trail around the lake. The campground is open seasonally from mid-May through mid-October. Many sites are walk-in only but they’re all affordably priced at $20/night. More info here.Address: Blue Ridge Parkway, Laurel Springs, NC, 28644 - at Milepost 297
Arthur Taylor/Google
Park yourself in a location convenient to all of the sites and attractions of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You may even have a front row seat for a view of the tallest lighthouse in America! All sites are non-electric and run $20 per night. It’s open seasonally from mid-April through Thanksgiving weekend. More info here.Address: 46700 Old Lighthouse Road, Buxton, NC, 27920
Zachary Maynard/Google
Camp underneath the canopy of a hemlock forest and among thick mountain laurel at this riverside oasis. Any adventure at this campground should definitely include a planned day just for enjoying the waters of the South Toe River! This campground only has tent and small trailer sites. Individual sites (either with or without electric) are $22 per night. Carolina Hemlocks Campground is open from April 15 through October 30. More info here.Address: 76000 NC-80, Burnsville, NC, 28714
Chris Lynch/Google
Open seasonally from mid-February through the end of October, Smokemont Campground near Cherokee is just inside the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundaries (on the NC side). From here, you can explore the entire GSMNP, or just enjoy the trails and other recreational opportunities found within the campground. All sites, RV, tent, electric, and non-electric, are $25 per night. More info here.Address: Smokemont Campground Road A, Cherokee, NC, 28719
Carlos Loaiza/Google maps
Take a quick turn off the Blue Ridge Parkway to arrive at this Recreation.gov campground right on the parkway. It offers both tent and RV sites with or without electric for only $20. Bunk down here and explore all the trails and waterfalls in the area! (Please note: there is another Linville Falls Campground that also has “RV Park” in their name. Don’t confuse that one with this one.) We’ve posted the photo of the turn off from the parkway so you won’t get this campground confused with the other one with the same name. More info here.Address: GPS coordinates 35.9680556, -81.9322222 Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 316.4
Shane Lambert/Google
This campground located on the shore of the 5,000-acre Badin Lake and has both RV and tent sites available. Rates vary based upon amenities/hookups available per site. The campground offers swimming, fishing, and a shady canopy inside the Uwharrie National Forest. It’s open year-round. A standard non-electric site runs $20 per night. More info here. Address: 429 Badin Lake Recreation Area Road, New London, NC, 28127
Ken A/TripAdvisor
Enjoy the remoteness of this campground in the heart of the Cataloochee Valley and inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From here, you can explore a number of magical trails through the wilderness to preserved historic sites, like the Palmer House found in the middle of the woods along a trail. The campground offers flush toilets, but no showers. All sites are standard non-electric and cost $25 per night. More info here.Address: Cataloochee Entrance Road, Waynesville, NC, 28785
For more camping fun in North Carolina, check out the largest campground in the state here, and the highest campground in elevation here!
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