Waterfall camping near Morganton

Rock climbing, biking, and skiing—there’s always more to do while camping near Morganton.

95% (2742 reviews)
95% (2742 reviews)

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12 top waterfall campgrounds near Morganton

99%
(1357)

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.
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$20
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99%
(244)

Tellurian Family Campground

7 sites · RVs, Tents93 acres · Casar, NC
For more information, visit our website at www.telluriancampground.com Tellurian Family Campground offers conveniently located spacious travel trailer, camper, RV and tent camp sites with incredible views and access to a pristine mountain river. The property consists of 93 acres and 2780 feet (1⁄2 mile) of river frontage on the First Broad River. The First Broad River offers canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. Smallmouth and freshwater sunfishing is incredible on this stretch of the river and there are also opportunities for mountain river catfish. Tellurian’s scenic location offers stunning vista views of the surrounding countryside, sprawling views of the South Mountain and Cherry Mountain ranges, as well as long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sunsets are amazing and the star lit skies are uninhibited by city lights. One of the few lights that can be seen at night lights up a steeple silhouetted against the mountain ridges. It’s truly a peaceful site. Tellurian is centrally located between Charlotte NC, Asheville NC, and Spartanburg SC in the small town of Casar, NC. We are located in a rural setting in the foothills on the edge of the South Mountains Range, a branch of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thank you for checking out our place! We are Jud and Amanda Wortman. We have three children – Emma Grace and Baxter (twins) and Elena Jo. As a family, we enjoy canoeing, kayaking and camping. We live 9 miles from Tellurian on a family farm. We have always enjoyed quiet secluded campsites, river floats and sitting by the river. After years of looking all over the mountains for a river property we could call our own, our favorite spot on the river came up for sale. It just so happened it was nearly halfway between where we both grew up. After many sleepless nights worrying if we could succeed or not (it was much larger than properties we had been looking for), we bought it! Our favorite spot on the river was virtually inaccessible by any way other than floating. But after hundreds of hours of hard work, we think we have developed a place where others too can enjoy the things we do about the property. We dream big and Tellurian remains a work in progress, but we feel we have created a place where folks can enjoy the peacefulness of nature, the river and incredible views. Naming our campground proved to be one of the most challenging tasks throughout the process of developing it. After many ideas and brainstorming sessions as a family, we decided to go with Tellurian. We know it’s a bit different; that’s what we like about it. We think our place stands out and, after visiting Tellurian, we think you’ll agree it does too. Tellurian Family Campground tel·lu·ri·an [təˈlo͝orēən] ADJECTIVE: of or inhabiting the earth. NOUN: an inhabitant of the earth.
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$58.50
 / night
99%
(183)

Blue Ridge Ranch

21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents440 acres · Ferguson, NC
Blue Ridge Ranch, established in December of 2020, is located on 440 acres nestled between two mountain ridges in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The property features an established pasture, mountain ridges, barns, and a homestead. In addition, the ranch is home to five ponds (some stocked and one trophy), more than a mile of trout streams, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Together, they provide the perfect foundation for the establishment of farming, livestock, camping, and community events. All profits of Blue Ridge Ranch go to Hope for His Children, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that conducts youth camps at the ranch. Tours of the ranch are available for $10/person (to offset fuel expense) and includes interaction with some farm animals. We pride ourselves in doing everything possible to help our guests have a great experience. We offer coffee during morning hours in our farm store! We are sorry, but we are not able to allow guests to bring ATV's and motorcycles to operate on the property. There are many acres of hay that we must protect and our agritourism insurer does not allow guests to operate ATV's and motorcycles on property.
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$15
 / night
99%
(305)

Waterfall camping close to CLT

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Bessemer City, NC
My Neighbor has started his own Campsite, "The Swimming Hole". If mine is booked up and you still want to camp, look him up. His is better suited for small groups but has much more privacy. We have a new road to the campsite; you can now drive down with two-wheel drive vehicle or RV down and park near your tent! There is plenty of soft sand to set up one tent or ten tents; large groups are welcome for an extra fee. A Porta-Potty is available at the campsite. Swimming is usually possible at the base of the falls; however, large amounts of rain can change conditions and make it unusable. I should also add, this is not a completely private campsite deep in the woods. The camp is visible from a shared driveway, and my residence is up a hill that overlooks the area. Also, I do not own the land on the other side of the stream. Occasionally, the owners of that land will spend a weekend afternoon enjoying the waterfall view also. Still much quieter and more private than a regular campground. Glamping tents and additional camping tents are available through a local company. Look in the pictures for the tent with red, white, and blue balloons. Message me for details. Close to US National Whitewater Center (mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking), Kings Mountain National Military Park (Horseback riding and history), Crowders Mountain (Hiking), 3 miles off of I-85 and US-321 for people passing through.
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$57.60
 / night
99%
(356)

Babbling Brook Campground

11 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Moravian Falls, NC
Before the Kerr Scott Reservoir was built, in the 40's and 50's, this neighborhood was a local swimming hole and vacation area. Public buses came from neighboring communities so people could boat, swim, camp, and picnic. While we don't have access to the pond, our part of this land still is calling out to people, 'Come, rest, unload your burdens, and find peace.' When we started this project with Hipcamp, we didn't fully realize that we were reconnecting with the history on this property. So, come, take your shoes off, and wade in the creek. Read a book while laying in a hammock. Sit by the fire and chat with family and friends. Come and participate in our little homesteading project, and leave your burdens behind. LOCAL ACTIVITIES: To the west is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is 30 minutes away. 15 minutes away is Kerr Scott Dam where you can rent kayaks, pontoon boats, as well as other sporting equipment. Fish, go mountain biking on the extensive trails, and hiking. Prayer Mountain is right up the road, about 2 miles away. Heading east, you can find several fine wineries andvineyards that you can visit. There is also a moonshine distillery in town. About a half hour away is an Amish community that has several businesses open to the public, including the Shiloh Bakery and General Store. They are closed on Sunday and Monday. To the northeast, about 45 minutes away, is Stone Mountain. Absolutely fantastic hiking, it is also an old homestead that has been renovated and is open to the public. To the south, there is Rocky Face Park, where there is hiking and rock climbing. Nearby, is Emerald Hollow Mine, where you can go and find, and keep, precious stones you find in the nearby river. There is also a great disk course course, Highland Hills Disc Golf Course, one of the top 25 in the country. There is fun for all ages. Merlefest, the last weekend of April, is a world class Bluegrass festival, is located right in our town. Be sure to look at the activities section below for additional information.
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$50
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100%
(133)

Farmhouse Gallery & Gardens

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents73 acres · Unicoi, TN
Learn more about this land:You’ll cross the covered bridge (clearance 11’6” ) as you enter our farm, a 73 acre small family farm, nestled in the Buffalo Valley of Northeast TN, and featuring a down home country atmosphere. What makes our farm special are all of the unique extras: a working log cabin blacksmith shop, log cabin art gallery, certified commercial kitchen, lots of watchable wildlife, and walking trails. We have a one acre wildlife pond and a smaller pond fed by springs and Buffalo Creek, which runs through the farm. Our small buffalo herd is pastured not far from the campsites and our friendly peacocks and chickens roam the grounds. We also offer classes in blacksmithing, art, foraging and cooking periodically. We are rural but not remote and are minutes away from state parks, fishing, hiking, rafting and other recreational activities as well as downtown Johnson City and Historic Jonesborough with breweries, shops, and many restaurants. As purveyors of Appalachian culture and cuisine, we invite you to stay a day , or longer, to share our friendly and relaxing small farm atmosphere in the mountains.
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$39
 / night
93%
(28)

Rock bottom creekside campground

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Marion, NC
Welcome to our picturesque campground, nestled right on the banks of Buck Creek, offering an abundance of outdoor activities and stunning natural beauty. Located just 3.5 miles from the renowned Blue Ridge Parkway, our prime location provides easy access to a wide range of attractions and sights in the area. Fish, hike, bike, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature as you explore the nearby Mount Mitchell, Linville Falls, Linville Gorge, Crabtree Falls, Roaring Fork Falls, Toms Creek Falls, Craggy Gardens, and Craggy Pinnacle. The charming towns of Marion, Burnsville, Little Switzerland, Spruce Pine, Black Mountain, and Asheville are all within reach, offering a plethora of restaurants and amenities to enhance your stay. At our creekside campsite, you'll have access to power and water directly on-site, ensuring a comfortable and convenient camping experience. For your comfort, a private bathhouse and shower, along with a camp lounge, are located just 200 feet away. To stay connected with the outside world, we offer free Wi-Fi, so you can share your adventures or check in with loved ones while still enjoying the tranquility of nature. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or a little of both, our campground is the perfect base camp to discover all the wonders this area has to offer. So, pack your gear, grab your fishing rod, and get ready for an unforgettable getaway surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Buck Creek and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We can't wait to welcome you!
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$59
 / night
98%
(66)

Outercamp, Hoot Owl Ridge

7 sites · Lodging60 acres · Spruce Pine, NC
You've been given the key. Come experience 60-acres of private mountain land off the Blue Ridge Parkway with big mountain views, lush Appalachian forest, & our very own waterfall! Inspired by the tale of a young gnome who discovers the power of gratitude in the forest. We bring Hoot Owl Ridge to you with in the same spirit. We are within 15 min of three magnificent waterfalls (Crabtree, Grassy Creek, & Tom's Creek), and only 25 mins from Linville Gorge! Though we are very secluded in the mountains, Walmart is only 5 mins down the road. Spruce Pine is 10-15 mins and has food, grocery, gas, hospital, and a brewery. Marion is a bigger town with mostly anything you could be looking for and is about 20mins away down the mountain. If you want some city buzz, head to vibrant Asheville under an hour away, where you'll find endless art, restaurants, breweries, live music, and more. Live closer to the earth, the mountains, the curious creatures, and return home with some gratitude!
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$96.85
 / night
98%
(20)

Two Sisters and a Goat

3 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Burnsville, NC
Spectacular mountain views, native trout waters, privacy, and kindness are the cornerstones of “Two Sisters and a Goat.” We have two spacious RV sites with full hookup located approximately 13 miles SE of Burnsville, NC and in the township of Celo. We provide a family friendly environment and an outdoor fantasy for hiking, biking, fishing, etc. Also, we have plenty of room for tent camping. The entire site can be reserved for special events. Our property is nestled in the foothills of Mount Mitchell and has been in our family name since 1970. White Oak Creek runs along the property and has a beautiful 20-foot-high multi-tiered waterfall on the Pisgah National Forrest, only a 0.5 mile walk from the RV sites. The creek serves as a tributary to the South Toe River, meandering 2 miles from the waterfall. The Blue Ridge Parkway is only 7.5 miles and to drive to the peak of Mount Mitchell is an additional 17 miles. *Caution: Do not drive to the end of White Oak Creek Road with your RV. This is where the waterfall is located and the turn around area small and can be extremely difficult to turn your rig around. There is no other outlet. Please be advised to stop along side the road in front of The RV sites. We will assist and ensure that you can safely back your RV into one of the sites. Please call one of the Sisters when you are close. Susan +1 828-208-1125 (Primary Host) or Elaine +1 828-208-4519 RV Site 2 has 30 and 50-amp, 110 W connections, water, sewer, and free WiFi. RV Site 1 has 50-amp and 110 W connections, an adapter is needed for 30-amp users. We have an adapter on site for your use if needed. Enjoy your private deck, jacuzzi, and breathtaking views. There is a small store, Sasquatch less than a mile a that carries several items. Focusing on camping, hunting, fishing, and pet needs.
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$30
 / night

Star Hosts in Morganton

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Waterfall 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.

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