Finding a beautiful place to set up camp for the weekend isn’t tough to do in North Carolina.
From the coast to the mountains, camping in NC state parks is filled with stunning natural wonders that will make you come back for more every year.
How Many State Parks Are There in North Carolina?
North Carolina is home to 34 different state parks. In addition to the parks, the North Carolina state park system also maintains four recreation areas and three state natural areas.
Altogether, there is more than 250,000 acres of state managed land to explore and enjoy.
Whether you’re looking to just post up at camp for the weekend or seek some adrenaline-fueled adventure, North Carolina State Parks offer everything from primitive backcountry camping or beach camping to cozy cabin, yurt, and RV camping.
Hiking, biking, and horseback riding also abound as well as plenty of opportunity for boating or water sports.
We’ll cover our favorite North Carolina state campgrounds so you too can go out and experience these beautiful places for yourself. Let’s get started!
NC State Park Camping on the Eastern Shore
Carolina Beach State Park
Located just 10 miles away from Wilmington is one of the most beautiful and diverse parks in North Carolina.
With access to a marina that allows you to go up the Cape Fear River for some choice fishing as well as over 9 miles of hiking trails, you’ll be able to find something that you love doing here. Plus, the environment here is perfect for finding the unique Venus flytrap!
There over 80 different campsites available for reservation here. They include cabins, trailer sites, and tent sites. For the trailer sites, electrical hook-ups are available at only 9 spots, so if you’re looking to save some money on gas for that generator, be sure to book early by clicking here!
Hammocks Beach State Park
If you’re in Jacksonville, be sure to make the short 20-mile drive southeast to find Hammocks Beach State Park. It’s one of the best locations for beach camping in North Carolina that you can visit.
This unique park is accessible only via the water, making it only available for tent camping. While a passenger ferry is available to take from the mainland, a really cool way to get to camp is to paddle out in a canoe or kayak!
Once you’ve made it to the park, you’ll find that there are tons of activities to enjoy. Fishing, paddling, and over 6 miles of hiking trails await you at Hammocks Beach State Park. Lock in one of the 17 different campsites available by clicking here!
READ MORE: 6 Beautiful Spots for Camping in Virginia Beach
Camping in Western North Carolina State Parks
Elk Knob State Park
If getting into the backcountry is your top priority for camping this summer, look no further than Elk Knob State Park. The only camping available here can be accessed by hiking in at least a mile, making this the ideal area if you’re really wanting to get away from the crowds. Due to the dispersed nature of the camping here, there aren’t any individual campsites available for reservation.
However, if you’re looking to go with a larger group, there is one large group site available for reservation. If that’s what you need, be sure to click here to reserve that site up to 12 months in advance of your trip.
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Looking to lock in your backcountry campsite before you go? Look no further than Grandfather Mountain State Park! There are 13 backpacking sites available to be reserved, so you’ll be able to ensure you have a spot before you even go.
While same day reservations are available, keep in mind that there is limited cell phone service here, so getting your spot sewn up before you arrive is highly recommended. You can make your reservation up to 12 months in advance of your trip by clicking here!
The park hosts plenty to do, including hiking to the top of Grandfather Mountain enjoy the stunning view above if you wish.
READ MORE: 12 Black Mountain Hiking Trails to Explore
Mount Mitchell State Park
One of the coolest parts about Mount Mitchell State Park is that it is home to the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River. Mount Mitchell stands tall over the forested landscape below at 6,684 feet and hosts an observation deck to help you soak in all of the gorgeous views that abound below.
With 9 reservable campsites available, space is limited here so be sure to book early by clicking here. Once you’re here, there are 40 miles worth of hiking trails within the park as well as access to Pisgah National Forest with even more opportunities for hiking as well as mountain biking!
Lake James State Park
A fisherman’s dream awaits just 50 miles northeast of Asheville at Lake James State Park. Over 80 campsites are available for reservation. Keep in mind that there are no electrical hookups at any of the sites, so come prepared to keep your electronics charged up by bringing a generator, solar panels, or a large battery pack.
Once you’re here, you can enjoy plenty of water sports like fishing, boating, paddling, and swimming in Lake James. And if you get burnt out on the water, be sure to check out the 30+ miles of hiking and biking trails that meander through the park.
Reserve your spot at Lake James State Park by clicking here.
Gorges State Park
Another great place to get into the backcountry and away from the crowds is at Gorges State Park. Located on the borders of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, this beautiful park is home to 8,000 acres of some of the most diverse plant and animal life you’ll find in North Carolina.
This is due to the rainforest like climate that hangs over the park. With over 50 miles of hiking trails and 12 miles of horseback riding trails, finding your own place to campout for the night won’t be hard to do!
READ MORE: Highlands, NC Waterfalls | 6 BEAUTIFUL Waterfalls Nearby
Stone Mountain State Park
Whether you’re looking to car camp, RV camp, or backpack into camp, you’ll be able to find a spot that suits your needs at Stone Mountain State Park. With over 90 sites available to reserve online ahead of your trip, you’ll have no trouble getting a spot that’s just right for you.
Stone Mountain State Park holds several electrical hook-up sites in addition to the non-electric sites, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to hook your RV up to relax in the comfort of your mobile cabin! Get your spot locked in by clicking here.
Camping in Central North Carolina State Parks
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
There are tons of great camping opportunities to support a variety of camping methods here at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. With over 30 different campsites, you can reserve sites that are suitable to host up to 35 people at their primitive group sites to full hook-up RV sites to help you extend your trip as long as possible.
Once you’re here, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide variety of water recreation activities as well as hiking and biking trails. Plus, you can take in the beauty and wonder that are the 90-foot-tall bluffs that stand above the Neuse River! Get your spot by clicking here.
Raven Rock State Park
Starting from Raleigh, Raven Rock State Park is a quick 40 mile drive to the southwest of the city. A wide variety of campsites are available for reservation here, making it one of the most diverse camping areas in North Carolina.
Between cabins, full hook-up RV sites, car camping sites, and paddle-up canoe sites, you’ll be sure to find a spot that best suits your camping style for an awesome experience you won’t soon forget. Reserve your spot up to 12 months in advance by clicking here!
Morrow Mountain State Park
Another great park in the NC state park campground system for a variety of camping opportunities can be found at Morrow Mountain State Park. Whether you’re loading up the tent into your sedan for a weekend getaway or you’re looking to stay a while in comfort at one of the cabin or full hook-up sites, you’re sure to find a campsite to suit your needs when you visit.
Once you’re at Morrow Mountain State Park, you’ll enjoy the unique geology of the area as the mountains stand in rugged contrast with the rolling hills of the piedmont to the east.
Lake Norman State Park
If you’re a mountain biker, then you absolutely must camp at Lake Norman State Park. With over 30 miles of single-track mountain biking trails that wind through the park, you’ll be able to spend several days exploring each individual trail or just lap your favorites!
With over 50 reservable campsites ranging from cabins to tent sites, you’ll be sure to find the right spot to use as your base camp as you explore everything this gorgeous park has to offer.