Discover the best private sites lakeside campgrounds near Morganton, North Carolina

United States
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North Carolina
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Morganton

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4 top lakeside campgrounds near Morganton

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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.

Private Yurt with Woodstove

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Marion, NC

Come relax and unwind at this private campsite on Purple Buffalo Farms! You will experience a private, luxury-primitive campsite in the smoky mountains of western North Carolina. Enjoy the sounds of nature and the sweet babbling brook while overlooking a natural, organic, no-till farm. This experience is only minutes from Asheville, Lake Lure, and Chimney Rock, North Carolina.

Greener Acres

3 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Roan Mountain, TN

Greener Acres minutes from Roan Mountain State Park and the Appalachian Trail. Use Greener Acres campsite as your jumping-off point for fun nearby activities or relax on our 40 acre mountainside property and watch for meteor showers in the clear night sky! Within 5 minutes, you can be at Roan Mountain State Park or drive 5-10 minutes to hike the Appalachian Trail. Head up to Carvers Gap just below Roan Mountain High Knob where you can hop out and enjoy a short walk to a scenic view of both the TN and NC mountains or visit the famous Rhododendron Gardens in season. Campsite also boasts energizing, private hike up to Heaton Ridge. Want to spend the day kayaking or canoeing? Head to Wilbur Lake, about a 30 minute drive away from our campsite. Exploring Laura Falls is only a 20 minute drive away. Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock, and Grandfather Mountain in N.C. are about 30-45 minutes away. The Smokey Mountains, Gatlinburg, and Dollywood are about a 2 hour drive through amazing mountain views. The annual Rhododendron Festival takes place minutes away. Supplies can be found at the state park camp store or in town at Redi-Mart or Dollar General. Water and showers are down by barn. A Gator is available for the duration of your stay. Please arrive before sundown so we can meet you the first time you stay to show you the way and make sure you are comfortable driving Gator. We will have you follow us up to the campsite and from there you can come and go and just leave the Gator by your car near the barn when you are out and about and when checking out. A small Bluetti power charging station will be available in the tent (for light charging of cell phones, other) which can be recharged by the barn if used heavily. A Coleman stove with a small propane tank, pots, a frying pan and utensils is also included in the site. Another small propane tank is provided for the radiator in the tent.

Parker Farms

16 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · North Wilkesboro, NC

This property is part of a working family farm established in 1900. The farm is currently a beef cattle operation giving campers the opportunity to see a working farm. There are 2 ponds on the property available for fishing and paddling. Given the area the farm covers campers will have peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle. For NASCAR fans, the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway is within walking distance. If you can't occupy your time here we're within 10 minutes of many local attractions. Wilkes also hosts festivals like; MerleFest, Apple Festival, and Peach Festival. This area is home to many Peach and Apple Orchards one personal favorite is Tevepaugh Orchards. And if the local attractions don't suffice the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone and Blowing Rock are all within an hour.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Private sites lakeside camping near Morganton guide

Overview

Camp in the Eastern Appalachian Mountain foothills around Morganton to become immersed in the nature of North Carolina. Tent and RV campers can find multiple riverside campgrounds right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and bike, hike, or paddle into the backcountry from their campsite. Catawba River flows west through the city toward Lake James State Park, where shoreline camping, swimming, and fishing are popular in summer. Winter travelers can try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing while backpacking in Elk Knob State Park, then warm up at a cozy cabin rental back in town.

Where to go

Elk Knob State Park

Just over an hour outside Morganton, Elk Knob State Park offers primitive camping opportunities in the backcountry. Backpack 1-2 miles in for an overnight stay, and register your visit in the box at the trailhead. Then, set up at a campsite next to New River streams. Or take a daytrip and hike 5.5 miles up to the Elk Knob overlook to see panoramic views of North Carolina’s high country. Winter campers can try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on a mile of ungroomed trail in Elk Knob, as well.

Stone Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain, a 600-foot granite dome and National Natural Landmark, is the chief attraction at Stone Mountain State Park. Here, campers can explore waterfalls and creeks, spend the day rock climbing, or learn the history of the area at the restored 19th-century Hutchinson Homestead farm at the base of Stone Mountain. Some park campsites are ADA-accessible with hot showers, firepits, and 50-amp hookups. There are also hike-in primitive campsites available. Many nearby campgrounds are also close to horseback riding trails and trout fishing streams.

Lake James State Park

Just a half an hour west of Morganton along the Catawba River, Lake James State Park offers shoreline camping along Paddys Creek or Catawba River streams. Campers can boat and fish in Lake James waters, or take canoes and kayaks to primitive paddle-in campsites. Prepare for bears in some areas of the park. Most campsites in the park have firepits and picnic tables, and potable water is available throughout the park.

When to go

Morganton has hot, humid summers that start in May and last until mid-September. Average daily temps are generally above 80°F, and water sports at nearby campgrounds are popular during these months. Most rainfall happens during summer, as well—prepare for wetter days and set up at campsites with paved pads or rain covers. In the winters, moderate snowfall between December and March is perfect for mountain snow sports. An average winter temperature of 58°F makes skiing and snowshoeing enjoyable for campers who visit this time of year.