Highlands, NC Camping | Best FREE & Cheap Spots

Located in the southern Appalachian Mountains within the Nantahala National Forest, Highlands, North Carolina is one of the top destinations in North Carolina for adventure-seekers looking for hiking trails or weekend fun.

Home to several RV camping and tent campgrounds, Highlands offers several options to choose from when planning your next weekend or extended trip.

Continue reading to find some of the best free (and cheap) camping near Highlands, North Carolina.

Free Camping Near Highlands, NC

Blue Valley Dispersed Camping

Glenn Falls in Highlands, North Carolina

Open year-round and a 20-25 minutes drive from downtown Highlands, Blue Valley Campground is an excellent option for anyone looking for a free camping spot nearby. 

From Highlands, take NC-28 S for about 6 miles until you reach Blue Valley Rd. Then turn right onto Blue Valley Rd and travel 3 miles until the campground is on your right.

Enjoy several well-kept primitive sites with fire rings and picnic tables. A pit toilet is available but there is no running water. Spots are first-come-first-serve and there is quite the selection of good, secluded areas. 

This campground offers easy access to the nearby East Fork Overflow Creek; it’s a great short trip for families with children or dogs.

Ammons Branch Campground

Ammons Branch is a lovely, free campground near Highlands, NC, that offers 4 dispersed sites with raised tent pads. 

From downtown Highlands, take Main Street east for 4.5 miles until you reach the end of the pavement, then bear right onto Bull Pen Rd and travel 1.3 miles until you reach the campground on your right.

The spots can accommodate smaller campers; however, we would not recommend you take large RVs. A pit toilet is available. There is no running water supply and you must pack out all trash.

Ellicott Rock Wilderness

Just 25 minutes away from Highlands in Tamassee, South Carolina, lies the Ellicott Rock Wilderness – a fantastic destination for campers looking for nearby adventures. It supports 18 miles of hiking trails.

From Highlands, drive south on Main Street and Horse Cove Rd for 4.5 miles. Bear right onto Bull Pen Rd, then head east 1.8 miles until you arrive at the Ellicott Rock Trailhead where you can begin to explore.

The Ellicott Rock Wilderness is located at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers dispersed camping with a maximum group size of 10. There are no restrooms at this campsite or running water. Pack in and pack out all trash and Leave No Trace rules apply.

READ MORE: HIGHLANDS, NC RV PARKS | THE BEST CHEAP CAMPGROUNDS

Cheap Camping Near Highlands, NC

Van Hook Glade Campground

Just over 4 miles from Highlands, NC, in the Nantahala National Forest is the Van Hook Glade Campground – one of the most highly-rated campgrounds nearby.

It offers 18 RV and tent-accessible camping spots without hookups and access to several things to do nearby, including visiting Dry Falls, hiking Bartram Trail, or visiting Bridal Veil Falls.

From Highlands, NC, take Highway 64 West for 4.3 miles until you reach the campground entrance. There you will find the campsites equipped with hookups (if applicable), a fire pit, and a well-kept restroom facility with hot showers.

Book from April through October. Reservations are available online at recreation.gov.

High Falls in Highlands, North Carolina

RJ Andrews Campground

The RJ Andrews Campground is a quick, 30-minute drive north of Highlands, North Carolina and is an excellent choice for campers with RVs. It’s a convenient trailhead for High Falls and the Pines Recreation area.

Several sites are available at this campsite for both large and small RVs. There is also primitive tent camping available. All spots offer beautiful views of Lake Glenville and easy access to nearby bathhouses.

Reservation prices vary for full hook-up sites and primitive camping spots. To make a reservation, visit rec.jacksonnc.org.

READ MORE: The Best Waterfalls Near Helen, GA

Secluded Waterfall Haven 

The priciest but most highly-rated option on this list, this secluded waterfall haven offers campers beautiful, stunning waterfall views just 15 miles south of Highlands in Dillard, GA. 

This one-site campground found on Hipcamp offers gated access to over 4.5 acres nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There are plenty of options for adventures nearby, including white-water rafting, zip-lining, kayaking and hiking, making this one of the premier camping destinations near Highlands, NC.

Electrical and water hookup is available for RVs and campers and there is access to clean, warm bathrooms on site. Two-night minimum stays are required. Book online at hipcamp.com.

Find Other Adventures in North Carolina

Camp, hike, or explore the High Country of Western North Carolina with our collection of guides below.