Discover the best lakeside campgrounds in North Carolina with fishing

United States
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North Carolina

98% (3137 reviews)

Popular camping styles for North Carolina

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top lakeside campgrounds in North Carolina with fishing

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At the Ridge Camp-Riverside Escapes

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents36 acres · Balsam Grove, NC

Our property was once owned by Transylvania County Sheriff Carter McCall. 36 acres in the middle of Pisgah National Forest. “Simple Mountain Camping” is our motto. Located approximately seven miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, At the Ridge Campground is surrounded by North Carolina’s beautiful Pisgah National Forest and the North Fork River. Here you can experience what you came to the Blue Ridge Mountains for: crisp evenings, sitting around the campfire, excellent views, relaxing in nature, hiking to waterfalls and fishing, Don’t forget our favorite, just watching the water go by! All at an affordable price.

Dark Ridge Hide Out (Adults Only)

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Elk Park, NC

"Adults only" doesn't mean anything other than just "no children", so as to preserve the natural peace and quiet, and assurance that there won't be loud and unruly children on the property. Inquiries and booking requests received after 9: pm may not be answered until the next morning. Dark Ridge Hide Out, is a 20 acre parcel in the Blue Ridge Mountain's on the back side of the Beech Mt Ski Resort in a secluded quiet and safe community with less than a dozen homes in a one mile radius. Away from light and sound pollution. Except for an occasional passing vehicle "and often none at all from 10pm to 6am" all you will hear is the sound of the creek which runs through the lower section by the RV sites, cricket's and frogs at the nearby fish pond and only the light from the moon and star's in the clear mountain sky and fire flies. It is my home place with a tobacco barn and a big combination cattle/tobacco barn built almost entirely just by my Mom and Dad in early 1940"s. My parents and grand parents lived off of the land here and raised cash crops like cabbage, corn and tobacco, we also raised sugar cane and made molasses, we had free range chickens, as many as 50 honey bee hives and over 50 head of cattle, two or three hog's and of course a horse. There was four main fields; two for cow pasture, one meadow to grow hay "now Christmas trees" and the main one on my part where all crops were grown is where the camp sites are. I grew up helping with the crops and other farm chores, one was to go to the pasture and bring the milk cows in and do the milking every day before and after school, feed the hogs and chickens, gather the egg's, let the chickens out in the morning and close the chicken house in the evening to protect them from critters like opossums, raccoons and wildcats. This is where I grew up, my dad grew up and, near where my mother and both of my grandparents grew up. My house was built in 1905 the same year my dad was born. The campsites are on my 20 acre section section of the original 82 acres with the house and barns, the remainder went to my brother but now is out of the family. The section of Elk River with the Compression Falls "45 ft high" and Twisting Falls which is part of Pisgah National Forest is less than two miles from here, and an old logging road going around the mountain above the river for about three miles to another Falls "Elk River Falls, 65 ft high" is a great place to hike or mountain bike. You will be free to explore and hike any part of my property except the house and out building's. The pond's are full of Trout and Blue Gill fish that are like pet's they love little pieces of bread. You can feed the fish but no fishing.

Barnhill Mountain in Fletcher, NC

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Hoopers Creek, NC

My wife and I moved to the area, from Boone, in the spring of 2014. Our dream was to own a house, preferably a cabin, on top of a mountain with long range views and a gradual winding road to the top. Living in Boone, this dream was definitely out of reach. When we began our search for a new home in the Asheville area, we discovered that the more affordable homes were in fact on the mountains. Perfect! In general I always have a pretty positive outlook on what’s possible, however, I was skeptical that we would ever find our dream home. As Jeannie began her Zillow browsing adventures, one particular cabin with acreage, that was outside of our budget continued to pop up. Jeannie would delete it and then it would come back. At some point the price began to drop, and drop, and drop. On our way back into town one weekend after attending a wedding, I convinced Jeannie to drive by the cabin just because we had the time. Immediately we fell in love and reached out to our realtor buddy. It was more of a shot in the dark but it couldn’t hurt, right? We held our breath for the next month totally expecting someone to get it under contract before us or the sellers not accepting our offer. It had already been reduced significantly so we knew our chances of a lowball offer were slim. We offered the most that we could get a loan for. They accepted! I still get anxious thinking back to that month, October 2014. Many years and two children later, here we are, just as excited everyday to make the long trek up our mountain as we were that August of 2014, and now we are happy to offer a similar experience to you, without having to buy the place. Never stop dreaming! Hope to see you soon, cheers! Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent in the grass on the tip top of the mountain or park your camper in the flat gravel spot with a fire pit just below the top with beautiful views overlooking Cane Creek. In the fall and winter enjoy 360 degree views and in the summer enjoy the shade and cool breeze while relaxing & snacking on wild wine berries and black raspberries. What you will not find is light pollution, traffic, and a desire to leave the mountain. Fall asleep to the calls of the hoot owl and wake up to the knocking of the wood pecker. If & when you decide to explore the area, be sure to checkout Hickory Nut Gap farm just 7.9 miles away & Whistle Hop Brewery 7.7 miles away. Turgua brewery just down on Cane Creek road is only 6.2 miles from camp. Cane Creek Valley Farm as well as the Cane Creek Community swimming pool is also at the base of camp just in case the kids need a dip of ice cream or a dip in the pool. Justus Apple Orchard is only 10 miles down the mountain towards Hendersonville. We love taking our kids there. We are only 15 miles from downtown Asheville & Hendersonville, and 22 miles from Lake Lure. The site backs up to over 100 acres of forest for a truly wilderness feel just outside of town. *Please message me proof of Military Service to receive your 25% discount code. We support our troops and their families.

Sky High Ridge RV Campground

10 sites · RVs14 acres · Scaly Mountain, NC

Escape the noise and heat of the valley. Chill in the cool mountain air high atop the Highlands Plateau with breath taking views and sunsets. Unhitch and relax in one of our secluded treed sites with water, up to 100 amp electric, and waste hookup. Base camp to adventure in hiking, waterfalls, kayaking, winter and summer tubing, ice skating, and the largest Zipline in NC, in National Forests and Parks. Bartram Trail, that peaks Rabun Bald, and the Appalachian Trail are a within a stones throw. Our campground is for the hardy even getting here is an adventure!Sky high Ridge Campground is in the western mountains of North Carolina at a cool altitude of about 3700 feet.Welcome!

Mountaintop Fantasy

4 sites · Lodging8 acres · Cullowhee, NC

Selected by Outside Magazine as their Favorite Hipcamp in North Carolina and a Hipcamp Finalist in N.C. 2020, 2021, and 2022 and runner up best treehouse in 2023, you can choose among three separate and memorable experiences in our 8 acre compound: 1) a woodsy, peaceful glamping experience with million dollar views in an 6 person tent;; 2) a glampingTreehouse with W/C; and 3) the newly built 2BR 1 1/2 BA private annex to our house. Each can be all yours - this is not a commercial campground. Explore the innumerable trails and waterfalls of the Smokies; fish in the Lake or numerous rivers and streams; swim in the Lake and at the sand beach down the road; rent a pontoon boat; travel the Blue Ridge Parkway; enjoy the shopping and restaurants of nearby Cashiers and Highlands. Or just chill out. These are truly unique high altitude sites with amenities you won't find elsewhere. Both are in a gated "subdivision" that has 60 lots but only 8 houses - the rest is woods and the only place in your vicinity is our cabin. With unmatched mountain and western views, if you like the great outdoors on the mountain and in the woods, This is the place for you and your family. If you like a more camping style with tent (provided), covered camp kitchen, table and firepit ( along with the uncovered ones) check out Smoky Mountain High. Don't like tents? No problem. Check out our Treehouse with kitchen, bunks, grill, cooktop, heaters, W/C and more. Prefer indoor rustic luxury? The Glenville Aerie (4100') is a fully furnished, annex we built for our family, guests and friends who value their privacy. Walkie-talkies to facilitate mountain communications. Board games too. Access to our dock, canoes and kayak? Yep. Adult life preservers provided. Secret nature trail to our kids playground and trampoline. Hammock, kid's swing, hanging chair and dining for 6. Visit with Jake the Cat and our chickens. This area is truly one of a kind spiritual respite. These mountains are justly known for hiking, fishing, water sports, chilling out and forgetting about the Virus, politics and the nuisances of the workaday world. Our goal is to provide you and your family with an unforgettable and magical N.C. mountain experience, while reducing your blood pressure.

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Pasture Creek Farms

10 sites · Tents70 acres · Hubert, NC

Raw coastal land. Water activities: paddle activities, swimming ,wading, canoe, small boats Stocked ponds, throw back only (extra fee). Dirt roads and game trails for walking or hiking. Close to beach. Firewood available for purchase on site. Water available (ask host) Dry and primitive camping. Lots of wildlife. Convenient to beach, intracoastal water way, and boat ramps.

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JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

27 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents86 acres · Chinquapin, NC

Rated Finalist for Top Hipcamp in 2023 and 2024! This is a Family Venue! No Parties and/or drunknesses allowed. We strive to create an environment for nature viewing, stargazing, fishing, and unwinding in nature as camping should be. Events: November 9th Toys for Tots Bass Boat Tournament and Christmas in the Cabins starts! Cabins are currently decorated for Christmas now through New Years! The historic pond was originally much smaller. We have records that date back to our 6th Great-Grandfather, Joab Fountain, who received a royal grant from the crown in 1773 for the property and then just a grist mill, blacksmith shop and old general store. The property was passed down through the Fountain family until the late 1910's. Originally a creek dammed up for the purpose of the mill it was later dug out in the late 1940's by Lee Baysden. In a long story (that can soon be found on our website/blog) the land was auctioned off in 2007. This landowner dug it out and made it the 22-acre lake that it is today. The property also features 2 smaller ponds and surrounded by woods, swamp, and farmed fields, a total of 84 acres. Divided by Duplin and Onslow County line making it very unique! Chinquapin, NC The store/office is the original detached kitchen from his homeplace, which is the white house just up the street. We still use this today and it has Mr. Lee Baysden's handwriting in the store that states opened June 1956. The pond was owned and fished until the late 1990's. A hurricane damaged the dam and land was sold sometime after. The next owner dug the pond into the lake it is today and fixed the dam. In 2020 My husband Tyler, and I decided to buy the Pond when we saw the signs up for sale in the height of the pandemic. We created JCO, Juniper Creek Outfitters and Guide Service, fall 2020 and began to restore the lake and land to better than ever! We introduced our first Glamping A-Frame cabin in 2021 and in 2024 the Floating Cabin. We host community events such as fishing tournaments, fireworks, music, movie nights, and food trucks. We also host special occasions in the cabins from engagements, honeymoons, birthdays anniversaries. Youth groups and scouts also welcome. Ask about special pricing. Our camp office/store is opened most weekends or by check-in requests and fishing passes available 7 days a week online from sunrise-dark. Our lake features fishing for Bass, Crappie, Bream, Catfish, Bowfin, varieties of Panfish, and more. Check out our Facebook page (JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond) for all the latest news and catches! We have tagged bass that have been released back into the lake. Let us know if you catch one so we can record it! We are continually trying to make JCO and Lee Baysden Pond a great place in our community for friends and families! Enjoy the great outdoors unplugging from all the daily devices of reality. Enjoy bird watching for ducks, geese, heron, osprey or occasional eagle, owls, turkey, deer, and more. We now have a lake Kitty that adopted us and is now part of the team. Her name is "Tail", named by our 4 year old, Beckham. You may see Tail roaming around by the office or patrolling the campground as lake security. Beckham and our new baby girl Atley will be with us most days in office or helping to check you in to your sites! Eight RV sites- # 2, 6, 7, 8 are 30/50 amp, water hookups, fire pit, and waterfront. Sites #3, 4, 5, 9 are 30 amp Only, water hookups, firepit and waterfront. Check out descriptions and pictures of each site at booking. Pump out dump station at check out that we handle for you. One Free Pump out for weekenders. $25 fee for additional pumps or 1x free every 4days. 13 Tent sites - Sites #1-4 are Sunset Cove primitive Sites and #5 and 6 are Group bigger sites side by side. Little Pond site all by itself on private pond off the main lake. Sawmill Creek Tent site right off backside of the dam. Timber Creek are all newer sites. Couples Glamping A-frame Cabin complete with add on extras to make your stay more special. Includes Canoe and fishing passes. New Fully floating Cabin currently moored in RV #1 originally. Featuring full bathroom, kitchenette with Mini Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Pot, 2 burner range, dishes, gas logs, queen bed, futon, ac, tv and wifi, covered front porch with hammock and chairs, firepit, charcoal grill, canoe and more. Enjoy local favorites (ask to see our blog!) The Country Barn, Mike's Farm, Community Food and Grill, The Country Squire, Huffman Vineyards, Duplin Winery, Walton's Distillery, Southern breeze Seafood Market and Food Truck, Richlands Cajun Market, The Mad Boar, Triple C Sweets, Capt. Bob Becks Marina Cafe, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, Lynnwood Zoo, Surf City Beach and hour drive to Wilmington, NC. 30 minutes to Camp Lejeune, NC, and 10 minutes to Albert Ellis Airport, Jacksonville, NC Chinquapin, NC Richlands, NC Beulaville NC Wilmington NC Wallace NC Jacksonville, NC Camp Lejeune, NC Swansboro, NC Burgaw, NC Maple Hill, NC Eastern Nc.

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Oak Creek Horse Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Shelby, NC

Horse farm with lots of space for you and your family! Used to be a dairy farm from 1860 to 1970. You will have about 2 acres to yourself, beautiful sunset. You will be surrounded by horses. Horse back riding on the property can be arranged by appointment if we are available. There are several trails in the area. 5-10 min to restaurants and stores. 5-10 min to swimming and hiking. 20 min to Kings Mountains. 30 min to South Mountains. 20 min to Tryon Equestian Center. Site 1,2 and 4: full hookup 50A (30A adapter is available), water and sewer. Site 3: 30A and water, but no sewer, you will have to use your tank. Site 1 and 2 are about 100ft apart, site 3 is about 300ft from site 1 and 2, so there is plenty of privacy.

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Live Oaks Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Holly Ridge, NC

Live Oaks Farm is a mini farm full of beautiful 200 year old live oak trees, willow trees, azaleas, other plants, and a pond. We are a great oasis right off of Topsail Island that gets coastal breezes and plenty of sunshine. We are a small growing farm with chickens, dwarf Nigerian goats, and ducks. We also offer a seasonal pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm. You will usually see Patrick working around the property or in the wood workshop building furniture. His beautiful wife Brittany and their gorgeous kids Maddox and Everlee enjoying the outdoors as well.

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Gateway to the Smokies

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Whittier, NC

Private campground featuring two very large campsites on our 2 acre property. The private drive and bridge that crosses over our creek has a security cable that can be locked. We are located right off of Hwy 441. 4 miles to Cherokee, 7 miles to National Park and 8 miles to Bryson City.

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Blue Ridge Horse Adventures

10 sites · RVs, Tents300 acres · Spruce Pine, NC

HELENE UPDATE: ACCESS IS LIMITED TO 4WD TRUCKS ONLY AND ADULTS ONLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Get away from the crowds. On 300 beautiful acres once operated as a children's summer adventure camp, this property has a house with a dormitory style bathroom for camper use. There are 3 primitive campsites, 2 cottages, and a horse sanctuary. The campsites are spaced out around the property for privacy. A short walk gets you to the bathroom reserved for campers only which has 2 toilets, 2 showers, and 2 sinks. 4WD or AWD is recommended for all sites due to 1/2 mile gravel road and then completely off road for a short distance. Or, if you are bringing 2WD, there is plenty of parking and then walk to your campsite. We don't recommend trying to bring large RV's due to the access. Winter camping is encouraged with free firewood. However, you will probably need to park near the bathroom and walk to your campsite to limit soil erosion of the off-road trail. Pets are welcome only at some sites, but please please let us know you are bringing them and they will need to be leashed due to other animals. A large part of the property is forest with hiking trails, creeks, and wildlife. You can see wildflowers and lightning bugs in season along with deer, turkey, and horses. And all of our spots have a great view of the sky! We're not far from the Bare Dark Sky Observatory. The grass horse arena and the pond were originally built for the summer camp. The pond is stocked with bass and bluegill and has a chorus of bullfrogs in summer. The arena is flat and has a long range mountain view all the way to Mt. Mitchell (highest peak east of the Mississippi). There are also a meadow spot encircled by trees.

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Star Fall Station

1 site · RV, Tent4 acres · Shallotte, NC

Once a three car garage now converted into a working artists studio, this property is a creative and peaceful home. The owner, a former contractor and artist Martha McKinley Murphy and Shane have changed this into a place where sculpture, art and harmony blend into a haven and retreat enjoyed by many. Learn more about this land: Our four acres is an open view for the wonders of star gazing. Come enjoy a place where the artist in all of us can be peacefully camping or take a drive less than 4.5 miles away to Ocean Isle Beach. Be a shell collector or enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing at some very close places to enjoy the waters. A screened outdoor living room overlooks our half acre pond with a wooded backdrop. Under our giant magnolia tree, one can see gorgeous sunsets and enjoy a picnic dinner. Our private outdoor shower is spacious and is next door to an outdoor kitchen. Campers can enjoy our raised bed garden areas when in season or collect organic eggs from our free range hens. Attached to our home is a workshop/studio area where families and friends can gather for a small event, class or meal.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

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Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Fearrington Village, North Carolina

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(5)

Merchants Millpond State Park

Gatesville, North Carolina

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(4)

Lake Norman State Park

Troutman, North Carolina

67%

(6)

Croatan National Forest

Neuse Forest, North Carolina

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(2)

Eno River State Park

Hillsborough, North Carolina

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(1)

Jones Lake State Park

Elizabethtown, North Carolina

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(1)

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

Seven Springs, North Carolina

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(1)

Lake Waccamaw State Park

Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina

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Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

Middleburg, North Carolina

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(6)

Lake James State Park

Marion, North Carolina

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lakeside camping in North Carolina with fishing guide

Overview

Crank up the fiddle-and-banjo tunes while driving through the High Country, where campsites and high-altitude views along the Blue Ridge Parkway are marked by mists and mountains. The parkway rolls up to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not far from the gorgeous homelands of the Cherokee tribe. Just east in Asheville, the Ale Trail rivals the Biltmore as the top draw, though live music and a fantastic culinary scene are close behind. Drive east to the windswept barrier islands of the Outer Banks for coastal camping, wildlife watching, and outdoor adventures that tear across sea and sky. Charlotte, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh anchor the booming Central Piedmont.

Where to go

High Country & the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway passes overlooks, waterfalls, and campgrounds in the rugged High Country of western North Carolina as it swoops south from Virginia. Mount Mitchell State Park, Linville Gorge, and Grandfather Mountain are Instagram-pretty while hiking and mountain biking trails beg to be explored.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Cherokee

Stories about Cherokee leaders and 19th-century mountain families add historic context to the mountain-and-forest views in the deep-green Smokies. Feeling social? Hit the welcoming Nantahala Outdoor Center for all-sorts of wild adventures, from rafting to ziplining. The Appalachian Trail runs along the North Carolina and Tennessee border in the national park then veers south through Nantahala National Forest.

Asheville & the Foothills

An easy detour from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is a mountain town that’s going places. The craft beer situation is out of control—more than 30 breweries!—while innovative chefs keep the foodie scene abuzz. Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, and gorgeous waterfalls are outdoor highlights in the foothills. Mountain bikers, get your fix in Pisgah National Forest.

North Carolina Coast

Wind, water, and sunny skies set a mood for fun along the North Carolina Coast. For the best all-around beach scene head to the Outer Banks, a 100-mile stretch of rugged barrier islands marked by dunes, fishing piers, and wild horses. Try hang-gliding at Jockey’s Ridge, windsurfing off Hatteras Island, and parasailing and paddling in Corolla and Duck. For close-to-the-beach tent camping, drive south to Cape Hatteras National Seashore or ferry over to Ocracoke Island.