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Several National Parks in North Carolina operate family campgrounds for tents and RVs or offer primitive tent camping. Parks and campgrounds have various maximum consecutive-night stays. The National Park Service's Senior Pass and Golden Age Passports (62 or older) and Access Passes (blind or permanently disabled) entitle visitors to discounts on park fees. |
Park Map
Camping is only allowed at designated campgrounds along the Parkway for tent and RVs (up to 30 feet). They have restrooms, drinking water, RV dump stations and at least one wheelchair-accessible campsite, plus ranger programs and access to hiking trails. Each campsite has a table and fireplace.
For 2012, the Linville Falls campground opens April 2, and all others open May 11. They close October 28. A full 2012 schedule for the Parkway is available here. Cost per night is $16. Linville Falls, Julian Price Park and Mt. Pisgah offer reservations for about 40 percent of sites, others are first come, first served.
- Crabtree Falls (MP 339.5 - locator map, park map) 71 tents, 22 RVs, camping supplies, restaurant, telephone. (828) 675-4236 (coffee shop).
- Doughton Park (MP 241.1 - locator map, park map) 107 tent sites, 20 RVs, fishing, camping supplies, telephone. Extensive trail system, with hiking opportunities ranging from a short hike at Fodder Stack Trail to the strenuous 7.5 mile Bluff Mountain Trail. Limited backcountry camping at Basin Cove requires a permit requested in advance. (336) 372-8568.
- Julian Price Park (MP 297 - locator map, park map) 129 tents, 68 RVs, fishing, telephone. Parkway's largest campground. (828) 963-5911. Reservations at link above or 877-444 6777.
- Linville Falls (MP 316.3 - locator map, park map) 50 tents, 20 RVs, fishing, visitors center. (828) 765-7818. Reservations available at link above or (877) 444-6777.
- Mount Pisgah (MP 408.6 - locator map, park map) 66 tents, 61 RVs, camping supplies, telephone. Parkway's highest campground (elev. aprox. 5,000 ft.) (828) 648-2644. Reservations at the link above or (877) 444-6777.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Park Map
Cape Hatteras has four campgrounds for tents and RVs up to 35 feet long. They have restrooms, cold showers, drinking water, tables and grills. Campgrounds are separated from the beach by barrier dunes. Three are on level ground; Frisco is among the sand dunes. Soil is sandy, so extra-long tent stakes are recommended, as are mosquito repellent and netting.
For the 2013 season, Oregon Inlet, Frisco and Ocracoke will open April 5; Oregon Inlet and Frisco will close October 14, and Ocracoke will close October 28. Cape Point Campground opens May 24 and closes September 2. Reservations are available at Ocracoke and are required with two weeks' notice for groups at Oregon Inlet; elsewhere is first come, first served.
Cost per night is $20 at Cape Point, Frisco and Oregon Inlet; $23 at Ocracoke. Groups of seven to 30 people at Oregon Inlet pay $4 per person. (252) 473-2111.
- Cape Point Campground, near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Historic District. 202 sites.
- Frisco Campground. 127 sites.
- Ocracoke Campground. 136 sites. Reservations are available at the link or at (877) 444-6777.
- Oregon Inlet Campground, near Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and Bodie Island Lighthouse. 120 sites. Reservations for groups of seven to 30 must be made at least two weeks in advance: (252) 441-0882, ext. 230; groups' cost is $4 per person, including infants and toddlers.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Park Map
Primitive camping is allowed on Core Banks and Shackleford Banks. There are no designated sites. Vehicle and trailer camping is permitted only on the beach seaward of the primary dunes or in an area marked with camping signs. Permits are required and may be obtained for free at the Harkers Island Visitor Center, Lighthouse Keepers Quarters or Portsmouth Village Visitor Center. (252) 728-2250.
There are two sets of rental cabins on Cape Lookout. They're open from March 16 to November 29 in 2013, and reservations open January 2:
Great Island Cabins on South Core Banks is a group of 21 cabins that each sleep from four to 12 people. (The rate chart lists 26 cabins and says one is handicapped accessible.) They are "rustic cabins that vary in age and condition," according to the NPS. Each cabin has a hot water heater, private bath, table, chairs, a kitchen with cabinets and a propane oven/stove combination. Most are wired for generators, which users must supply. Some have screened porches. Visitors need to bring linens, bedding and cookware. Rates run from $54 to $168 per night. Reserve online through www.recreation.gov or phone (877) 444-6777.
Long Point Cabins on North Core Banks are 20 cabins that are each about 500 square feet and sleep six in bunk beds. Each has a hot water heater, private bath, individual propane heating system, lighting fixtures, a combination sleeping-eating area with ceiling fans, table, chairs, a kitchen with cabinets and an oven/stove combination. Visitors need to bring linens, bedding and cookware. Rates run from $84 to $145. Reserve online through www.recreation.gov or phone (877) 444-6777.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
GSMNP has 10 developed, or "frontcountry," campgrounds, five of which are in North Carolina. Campgrounds have restrooms with cold running water, but no showers or electricity or water hookups. Campsites have a fire grate and picnic table.
Seasons vary (backcountry camping is permitted year-round). During summer and fall, sites at Smokemont, and beginning in 2011 at Cataloochee, must be reserved at (877) 444-6777 or at recreation.gov. Otherwise, first come, first served for single sites. Fees run from $14 to $23 per night.
Group tent camping, where allowed, requires reservations and a minimum party size of eight. Phone (877) 444-6777 or use the links below to register online.
Permits are required for backcountry camping and are free at most ranger stations and visitors centers. All backcountry shelters and some backcountry campsites require reservations. Your permit will designate the shelter or campsite you may stay in each night. Phone (865) 436-1297 for information, (865) 436-1231 for reservations.
Big Creek and Cataloochee campgrounds have drive-in horse campsites, which must be reserved at (800) 365-2267 or online.
- Balsam Mountain Campground, off Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 458.2 (Map). 46 sites; maximum RV length 30 feet. $14/night.
- Big Creek Campground, off I-40 at exit 451 in Tennessee (Map). 12 sites, no RVs. $14/night. One group site for up to 25 people at $44/night. Horse camping, $25/site paid upon reservation.
- Cataloochee Campground, off I-40 at exit 20 (Map). 27 sites; maximum RV length 31 feet. $20/night. Reservations required (at link above). Three group sites for up to 25 people each at $35/night. Horse camping, $20/site paid upon reservation.
- Deep Creek Campground, north of Bryson City (Map). 108 sites; maximum RV length 26 feet. $17/night. Three group sites for up to 20 people each at $35/night.
- Smokemont Campground, north of Cherokee (Map). 140 sites; maximum RV length 35 feet. Reservations accepted (at link) up to five months in advance for May 15-Oct. 31. $17-$20/night. One group site for up to 15 people at $26/night and two group sites for up to 20 people at $35/night.
- Tow String Horse Camp, north of Cherokee (Map). Two sites for up to six people and four horses. Limited amenties include pit/vault toilet, fire ring, horse stalls, picnic tables. $20/night.
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