The best camping near Grandfather Mountain State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Grandfather Mountain State Park adventure.

100% (4 reviews)
100% (4 reviews)

This park has sweeping views, challenging trails, and a mile-high swinging bridge.  

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Grandfather Mountain State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Grandfather Mountain State Park

98%
(2187)

Starlight Hills

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Bostic, NC
Our Spa is now available for booking! We are a constantly evolving location. Our goal is to provide a genuine secluded camping experience immersed in nature in a mountainous forest with privacy and well spaced out, secluded camp sites. We also have minimal light pollution, so our skies are beautiful for viewing the stars. We offer trails through natural wooded habitat with hidden gems of nature. Wildlife viewing throughout. There are feed locations to increase viewing opportunities. A creek on the property is lovely for walking. Centered between Charlotte and Asheville we are within your reach! We offer primitive tent camping, Glamping Tents and a Cabin. Glamping and cabin have a private Mountain View, fire pit area, Queen bed, Night Stand (built in phone charger), Desk area, interior and exterior lighting, heater and fan (powered by solar system). As a part of Starlight Hills Campground you have access to filtered drinking water, common overlook (w/ BBQ pits & picnic tables), trails, bathroom and showers. Welcome to bring all your furry family members ❤️. Please Note: 2 Wheel Dr. vehicles can access all of our sites. Gravel/ Dirt road up hill.
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$37.80
 / night
99%
(134)

Blue Bear Mountain Camp

46 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents150 acres · Boone, NC
Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers year-round camping experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Car-accessible tent and RV sites in a natural setting. Hike-in sites for those looking for a little more adventure and privacy. Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals for guests wanting a rustic, mountain getaway while staying in comfort. Located just 8 miles north of Boone, NC on over 150 acres of pristine mountain land, miles of hiking trails, a trout pond, and spacious low-density sites allow the guest to get away from it all in a rustic, remote setting. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At 4,000 feet elevation, come enjoy cool mountain breezes and mild temperatures. Blue Bear Mountain is a scenic location for large events such as weddings, corporate events, and family reunions. Come Get away from it all at Blue Bear Mountain! Blue Bear Mountain offers spacious, Low-Density RV camping, spacious, private, rustic car-accessible tent camping, and spacious, private remote tent camping. Blue Bear Mountain also offers luxury Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals to provide you with more choices of how to experience your mountain getaway. In a beautiful mountain setting with incredible views, the Stargazer Domes are a great way to enjoy the camping experience without really roughing it. Great for a romantic getaway or bringing the family. Furnished with a queen size bed, complete with high-quality linens, a bistro table, and chairs, you will stay in complete comfort. Conveniently located near the bathhouse with private bathrooms, a Laundry room, and a dishwashing station. You can drive right up to the handcrafted stargazer dome. Relax and take in the views while sitting around your stone fire ring. A park grill, picnic table, and free bundle of firewood are also provided to complete your glamping getaway.
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$30
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99%
(1344)

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
 / night
100%
(42)

Mountains, hot tub, romantic

5 sites · Lodging60 acres · Bakersville, NC
Not impacted by Hurricane Helene! Our pods (arched cabins) are newly constructed tiny homes, well situated for both spectacular views as well as romantic privacy. Each home has an arched cabin style, cozy, yet well-appointed with a bedroom (queen bed), full bathroom, full kitchenette and living area with sofa and Roku TV. Homes are located close enough to enjoy a campfire with neighbors, but separated enough to enjoy that special romantic evening on your own large deck with spectacular views, or late at night enjoying the stars above. Each cabin has its very own fire pit. All cabins are outfitted with an outdoor hottub. Property is over 60 acres of onsite hiking trails, or find your special spot to sit on a bench and enjoy the view. We are just up the road from the Toe River. The famous Appalachian Trail is just minutes away, as are the Gem mines that made Mitchell County famous. Our property is historic and once a famous location for moonshine production, detailed in the book "Red Hill" available on Amazon. Or Google the "Bakersville Riots". Truly a place to enjoy hiking, or just relaxing on the beautiful large decks.
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$112
 / night
99%
(328)

Eden Oaks Vineyard & Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Ronda, NC
Eden Oaks Vineyard & Campground was a tobacco farm (antique tobacco barn still on property). The house was built in 1910 and has been updated. We purchased it in 2014 and converted it into a vineyard. We have RV sites with 50 amp and 30 amp electric hookups and water, and tents sites. For 2023 our rates are $30/night for RV Sites (50 amp or 30 amp electric hookups and water) and $25/night for Tent Sites. Tent sites do not have electricity or water hookups, but water is available at the well. (Due to inflation, 2024 our rates will be $30/night for RV Sites, $25/night for Tent Sites.) We do not have a dump station, but we do have a Port A John and a list of dump stations nearby. Campfires are allowed unless we have a state issued burning ban. Campers are responsible for controlling and extinguishing fires. Please be extremely careful during dry or drought conditions. Conveniently located one mile from Hwy 421 but remote and peaceful with plenty of room to roam on our 22 acres with grapevines, fruit trees, forest, creeks, fields, goats, Beagle and Jackabee (Beagle/Jack Russell) dogs, cows, chickens, ducks and goats. Also, we have wildlife such as birds, squirrels, groundhogs, deer, raccoons, opossums, etc. We are about 15 miles from Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro (home of the Merle Fest and Apple Festival). Eden Oaks is 18 miles from W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, 24 miles from Stone Mt. State Park, and 10 miles from Elkin (sponsors of the Wine Festival and Pumpkin Festival). Eden Oaks is in the heart of the Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek AVAs (American Viticultural Area). We're next door (3 miles) to Raffaldini and Piccione Vineyards. Take a day trip to Boone, Blowing Rock, Blue Ridge Parkway, Mt. Airy, Winston-Salem, Charlotte or additional areas of interest. We love it here and would like to share it with you. Learn more about this land: Shaded and semiprivate in woods with creek on property. Located on a working vineyard in the Swan Creek AVA. Primitive camp sites with campfire pits. Water, garbage cans, some sites have electricity available.  We offer individual sites of up to 4 people and group sites of up to 12 people.  We have 3 RV sites with water and 50 amp electric service, and one with 30 amp and water.    We have 4 primitive tent sites with fire pits.  We also supply one free bundle of firewood (more available for purchase if needed).  Please message us if you have any questions.  We look forward to hearing from you.   Update 10/3/2020:  Todd and April have opened FIRESIDE ESPRESSO--check them out on the web.  Update 4/28/2021:  Our Site 1, Site 2 and site 3 are RV sites with 50 amp electric service and water hookups.  Sites 4 is a 30 amp electric service with water which can be a small RV or a tent site. Sites 7, 8, 9 and 10 are tent sites only without water and electricity.  If you  have questions, please contact us.  Thanks. Update 5/3/2021:  Please check out recent photos of each campsite. Update 7/8/2023: Please see us on YouTube EDEN OAKS BEAGLES. Our channel has videos of our dogs, cats, goats, chickens, ducks, donkey and other animals. Very kid friendly. Please watch, subscribe, like and share.
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$25
 / night
99%
(168)

The Waldhaus Resort

4 sites · Lodging60 acres · Barnardsville, NC
Waldhaus Resort is a special place surrounded by the Pisgah National Forrest. Pure nature close to a thriving metropolitan area. We offer the Sawmill and the Summit!I have been an engineer, corporate executive and world traveler all my life. Born and raised in Switzerland I speak German, French, English and a little Spanish. My passion is the outdoors, hunting, fishing and cooking . My other calling is to entertain people which share the same passions. That’s why I created the Waldhaus resort.During the past years, the Sawmill has become my favorite place to spend quality time in what I call "Cabin Living" which I love so much. Nearly every day there is a small challenge, nothing comes easy, but all the coziness and comfort is there.  The water is supplied by a spring above the mill. Electricity is generated by solar technology and a generator. All refrigeration and cooking appliances are propane; and so is the basic heat (propane again) - and a very old Jotul wood stove will do the rest. I sleep a lot on the day bed in the living room so the Sawmill can be comfortably rented for up to 4 guests. The outhouse is a thing of the past, just recently I installed a compositing toilet besides the bedroom.We also offer The Summit which is a high elevation, 2-story cabin surrounded by national forest which has evolved into an off-grid living and play space located at nearly 3300 feet elevation on a 1/2 acre flat with an incredible view. There are very private old forest service trails leading directly into the Pisgah National Forest. 
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$72
 / night
99%
(236)

Tiny House in Happy Valley

1 site · Lodging300 acres · Lenoir, NC
I moved here from San Francisco, to simplify my life, and accomplish my dreams. The Tiny house was designed and built by architect, Jesse Plaster. It's a unique cozy loft style design, set back in the woods on our property. It's purposely placed next to a creek, with a nice stone fire ring to really enjoy the outdoors. In the cold months, it's heated by a wood burning stove. Also next to the house are logging roads that allow you to hike the Ripshin Mountains. The Yadkin River is near by, and so is Boone and Blowing Rock. If you like mountain biking, bring your bike to ride Kerr Scott, or Zacks Fork trails. Also, check out the workshops at Pattersonschoolfoundation.org They offer sustainable living classes such as cheese making, mushroom foraging, blacksmithing, soap making, kimchi making, etc...  Also ask about our private Yoga sessions. Last but not least, there is a wood burning private sauna that your able to reserve.Come enjoy our Happy Valley! Mi casa es su casa!
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$105
 / night
99%
(761)

OnTop.camp - NW NC Ashe Co

5 sites · Tents100 acres · Jefferson, NC
www.ontop.camp STATUS of OT DOT CAMP 10.09.2024 All is well! A few ruts and downed trees is all. You’re welcome to come enjoy the mountain with us! Feel free to message me with any questions. October - Gold, Purple, Gold, Blue... wild flowers are making a show. The seasons are shifting. Since the hurricane the leaves started their change. It’s here! Share the open air and space with us. Welcome! Our farm is vast and sparse, focusing on sustainability while giving back to the community. We are a safe haven for animals and humans alike. Situated on and between two peaks of Little Phoenix Mountain range in Jefferson Ashe County. Our sites’ altitudes range from 3100 feet to over 3600 feet, which is a lot of slope and hillside to say the least. As a guest you will be offered insane long views and limited exposure to the oldest registered breed of bovine in the world. Our Scottish Highland Cattle are majestic and fit in quite well in the NC mountainside. Located in the Blue Ridge mountains, we have natural water springs popping out, some of which are tapped to drink from. (10.1.23 currently farm springs are not accessible to guests, shatley springs up the road approx 4miles north has a public spring that we highly recommend) If you are looking for a camping spot that is only 5-10 minutes from town (Jefferson NC or the quaint Downtown West Jefferson) but feels like you're in the middle of no where, then we have it! The Blue Ridge Parkway is less than 20 minutes away and the New River equally close. Looking Forward: July update. We are currently working on provided an all downhill mountain bike trail from 3600 to 3150ft. This path will be double wide for the most part and wide open at first to soak in the se view. Will update when completed! *a ride back up for your bike and yourself will be scheduled if requested OnTopOfTheWorld.camp *firewood is available if you pay on site you will have to use Venmo/Paypal *We do not allow any harvesting of campfire wood or burning of our property outside of the designated fire ring. We use any downed wood on our property for our family to keep warm and to cut and split ourselves to sell to our guest. A “full nights worth” of campfire wood is roughly a 3 x 2 stacked pile of wood keeping you warm all night. Please let us know ahead so we can prepare it for you OnTop.camp
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$66.50
 / night
99%
(169)

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
98%
(33)

Gusher Knob

1 site · Tent220 acres · Crossnore, NC
Gusher Knob is a 220+ acre forested mountain near Spruce Pine, NC. The site has a 12 x 12 raised platform for your tent (we don't recommend pitching a tent anywhere other than the platform), picnic table, fire pit, and a hook to hold a lantern. This is the only campsite on the property and has a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Please stay within the campsite area as the surrounding land is private and monitored. Cell coverage is ok. Nearby hiking, climbing, and fly fishing are a few activities you will enjoy when visiting this lovely area of western NC. The campsite is a short 7-minute easy hike along a well-marked clear trail from the parking spot. The trail is non-technical and will mostly accommodate camping gear with wheels, such as a cooler. Since it's situated in the woods, please be aware that you may encounter any number of nature's residents such as deer, squirrels, box turtles, wild turkeys, and bears. Please do not feed them and make sure to protect any food items appropriately. None of the natural residents has any interest in you personally, but they are known to be drawn to available food items.
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$37.80
 / night
98%
(207)

Loafers Joy Meadow

3 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Zionville, NC
10/9/2024 NOTICE: We had some damage to our road due to Hurricane Helene that made it impassable. It has since been repaired and is opened to traffic. There are still some remaining rough areas, but the road is easily passable by passenger vehicles and RV's up to 28ft. We also had some damage to the electrical power due to the storm, so we have temporarily shut off the power to the RV pad. We are currently working to have it repaired. Our site was once part of a much larger farm growing tobacco and raising cattle and other farm animals. The existing tobacco barn was built in the early 1960's. The concrete pad used for RV camping was used to store silage for the cows. The non-potable water source is a mountain spring that has been used on the farm since the 1930's. While many tobacco barns in the area have been torn down for their rusted tin roofing and rustic siding, we have worked to restore the barn and preserve its history.
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$20
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The best camping near Grandfather Mountain State Park guide

Overview

About

Unmatched views await at the top of Grandfather Mountain, the famed monolith that rises high above the Piedmont plateau in North Carolina. Views from the overlook encompass the surrounding hills, mountains, and lakes, although the adventurous can try crossing the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, a suspension footbridge that connects two peaks and often sways in the wind. The park has more than 12 miles of hiking trails that vary widely in difficulty—some are so steep, they require ladders and ropes. Permitted camping is allowed at 13 backpack camping sites along the trail system (you can register for a permit on-site).

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Campsite reservations are required and can be made online or by phone.
  2. Same-day reservations are possible, but it’s a good idea to make them before entering the park, where cell service can be unreliable.
  3. Booking in advance is recommended—bookings can be made up to 11 months in advance.

When to go

Grandfather Mountain is open year-round (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). The park can get crowded with visitors in summer, especially on weekends, and during fall foliage (typically mid-October). To beat the crowds, try to arrive before 11am or after 3pm on summer and fall color weekends, as well as on holidays. If visiting in winter, be prepared for closures due to inclement weather.

Know before you go

  • Fires are permitted at lower elevation campsites, but not on Grandfather Trail and not at or above the Hi-Balsam Shelter. Use only dead firewood on the ground, and do not bring firewood from outside the park.
  • Pets are welcome, as long as they are kept on a leash.
  • Grandfather Mountain is in bear country, so hang all food and scented items away from tents and pack out all trash and food scraps.
  • Alcohol is prohibited in all North Carolina state parks. This is strictly enforced by rangers.

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