EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING

Free Camping in North Carolina

44 No-Fee Sites

North Carolina's two national forests — the Pisgah and the Nantahala — offer dispersed camping throughout the Blue Ridge and the southern Appalachians. The Nantahala has the broader dispersed camping zone: the Cheohah District, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest area, and the remote Slickrock Wilderness corridor all permit dispersed camping. The Pisgah district around Looking Glass Rock and the Shining Rock Wilderness has dispersed camping in the designated wilderness areas. The Uwharrie National Forest in the piedmont also permits dispersed camping. North Carolina requires a free permit for dispersed camping in the Shining Rock and Middle Prong wilderness areas — self-issue at trailheads.

No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →

Before You Go

Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water

💧
Water Filter
Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn — essential when no water provided
🏕️
Leave No Trace Kit
WAG bags + trowel for sites without restrooms
🗺️
Offline GPS
Cell service is rare at dispersed sites
🐻
Bear Canister
Required in many dispersed zones in bear country

Free Camping Sites in North Carolina

A.T. ABINGTON GAP SHELTER
5 sites

A.T. ABINGTON GAP SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.5811, 81.9021°W
A.T. BALD MOUNTAIN SHELTER
10 sites

A.T. BALD MOUNTAIN SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.0001, 82.4781°W
A.T. CLYDE SMITH SHELTER
10 sites

A.T. CLYDE SMITH SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.1485, 82.1613°W
A.T. CURLEY MAPLE GAP SHELTER
14 sites

A.T. CURLEY MAPLE GAP SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.1043, 82.3971°W
A.T. DOUBLE SPRINGS SHELTER
6 sites

A.T. DOUBLE SPRINGS SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.5091, 81.9861°W
A.T. FLINT MOUNTAIN SHELTER
6 sites
📍 36.0348, 82.5968°W
A.T. IRON MOUNTAIN SHELTER
6 sites

A.T. IRON MOUNTAIN SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.4354, 81.9910°W
A.T. JERRY CABIN SHELTER
6 sites
📍 36.0564, 82.6573°W
A.T. LAUREL FORK SHELTER
8 sites

A.T. LAUREL FORK SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.2787, 82.1362°W
A.T. LITTLE LAUREL SHELTER
6 sites
📍 36.0150, 82.7361°W
A.T. MORELAND GAP SHELTER
6 sites

A.T. MORELAND GAP SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.2201, 82.0883°W
A.T. NO BUSINESS KNOB SHELTER
6 sites

A.T. NO BUSINESS KNOB SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.0666, 82.4336°W
A.T. OVERMOUNTAIN SHELTER
30 sites
📍 36.1236, 82.0542°W
A.T. ROAN HIGH KNOB SHELTER
15 sites

A.T. ROAN HIGH KNOB SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.1051, 82.1222°W
A.T. SPRING MOUNTAIN SHELTER
5 sites

A.T. SPRING MOUNTAIN SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 35.9518, 82.7901°W
A.T. STAN MURRAY SHELTER
6 sites
📍 36.1124, 82.0657°W
A.T. VANDEVENTER SHELTER
6 sites

A.T. VANDEVENTER SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.3671, 82.0588°W
AVERY CREEK ROADSIDE CAMPSITES
50 sites
📍 35.2965, 82.7394°W
BLACKJACK LODGE SHELTER
4 sites
📍 34.7948, 76.7686°W
BROWN MOUNTAIN CUA ROADSIDE CAMPSITES
50 sites

BROWN MOUNTAIN CUA ROADSIDE CAMPSITES (Campground)

📍 35.8926, 81.7403°W
BUCKHORN GAP SHELTER
4 sites
📍 35.3431, 82.7554°W
BUTTER GAP SHELTER
4 sites
📍 35.2533, 82.8096°W
COPPERHEAD LANDING SHELTER
4 sites
📍 34.9035, 76.8310°W
DEEP GAP SHELTER
4 sites
📍 35.2807, 82.8675°W
DEEP WATER CAMP
30 sites
📍 35.4034, 80.0864°W
DOGWOOD SHELTER
4 sites
📍 34.8631, 76.7985°W
FISHERS LANDING
35 sites

FISHERS LANDING (Campground)

📍 35.0012, 76.9759°W
HEADWATERS ROADSIDE CAMPSITES
25 sites
📍 35.3352, 82.7975°W
HENDERSONVILLE RESERVOIR RD ROADSIDE CAMPSITES
5 sites
📍 35.4240, 82.6558°W
HOUSTON VALLEY CAMPGROUND
130 sites

Houston Valley Recreation Area (elevation 1,800 feet) is centrally located to both Paint Creek and Weaver Bend. It is located directly off Tennessee (TN) Scenic…

📍 35.9650, 82.9433°W
LICKSTONE DISPERSED CAMPSITES
15 sites
📍 35.3709, 82.9451°W
LITTLE LONG MOUNTAIN SHELTER
6 sites
📍 35.5007, 79.9529°W
PAINT CREEK DISPERSED CAMPSITES
20 sites

PAINT CREEK DISPERSED CAMPSITES (Camping Area)

📍 35.9521, 82.8914°W
SIDDIE FIELDS
15 sites
📍 34.9297, 76.7914°W
UPPER COVE CREEK ROADSIDE CAMPSITES
10 sites
📍 35.3104, 82.8121°W
WASH CREEK ROADSIDE CAMPSITES
45 sites
📍 35.4380, 82.6610°W
YELLOW GAP ROADSIDE CAMPSITES
70 sites
📍 35.4039, 82.6708°W
A.T. WALNUT MOUNTAIN SHELTER

A.T. WALNUT MOUNTAIN SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 35.8362, 82.9364°W
Free Camping

Trailhead parking area at end of dirt road used mostly by climbers. Rangers won't bother you for any reason. Large area south end for tents. Water is available …

📍 35.8836, 81.8843°W
Free Camping

Access road to the Fontana Lake Dam (Dirt road right next to small waterfall). Drive a mile up on the road (stop right before the road gate). Awesome place for …

📍 35.4535, 83.8402°W
Free Camping

Birkhead Mountains Wilderness in Uwharrie National Forest (USFS) has multiple trail heads, and this one off of Lassiter Mill Road is far less used than the "nic…

📍 35.5902, 79.9487°W
Free Camping

Near Emerald Isle NC on the White Oak River. Long Point Landing. Enter from Highway 58 at brown sign FR120 between Maysville and Swansboro N 34.822 W 77.15. T…

📍 34.7980, 77.1782°W
Free Camping

Privately owned land being turned into a campground in owners spare time. 16 campsites are cleared but dry camping only as of jan. 2015. Water and dump station …

📍 34.8553, 78.7998°W
Free Camping

Privately owned land located in the sand hills of North Carolina. the campground is located 12 miles east of I-95/Fayetteville. The land is being turned into …

📍 34.8549, 78.7995°W