Best Tent Camping in North Carolina State Parks
Discover some of the best tent camping destinations in North Carolina state parks including Jordan Lake, Lake James, Falls Lake, and Mount Mitchell.
North Carolina offers some of the best tent camping opportunities in the southeastern United States.
From lakeside campgrounds to mountain backpacking campsites, the state park system provides a wide variety of locations where campers can pitch a tent and enjoy the outdoors.
Many parks offer both drive-in tent campsites and walk-in primitive campsites for campers looking for different levels of adventure.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Jordan Lake offers hundreds of campsites across multiple campground areas, many of which allow tent camping alongside RV sites.
The park provides easy access to boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking trails.
Lake James State Park
Lake James State Park offers drive-in tent campsites as well as walk-in backpacking campsites located near the lake.
The park provides opportunities for kayaking, hiking, swimming, and mountain biking.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Falls Lake includes hike-in campsites for tent campers who want a quieter camping experience.
These sites include basic amenities such as picnic tables, grills, and lantern hooks.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park offers primitive walk-in tent campsites located near the summit of the highest peak in the eastern United States.
These sites are open seasonally and provide a unique mountain camping experience.
Tips for Tent Camping in North Carolina
- Choose campsites based on how far you want to hike or drive to the site
- Check park weather conditions before camping
- Bring proper gear for mountain or coastal environments
- Reserve campsites early during peak camping season