North Carolina Campground Recommendations?

Planning a big trip with the TM from CO to the east coast, DW wants to spend time in the NC mountains and close to the ocean. Any special campgrounds or areas that would be recommended?

We love the Smoky Mountains National Park but only go there in the Fall and Spring on our way to/from Florida. I imagine that it would be too crowded in the summer for us. And some of the surrounding towns are just incredible tourist traps from our perspective; but they seem to be booming so obviously some people like them.

We've been interested in stopping at Stone Mountain State Park, N.C., but haven't had a chance yet.http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/stmo/main.php

Campfire Lodgings in Asheville,NC is a beautiful place at the top of a mountain with beautiful views.
116 Applachian Village Road
Asheville, NC 28804
Buncombe County
828-658-8012
800-933-8012
Site # D8 is an excellent site right beside of an overlook!

[wbmiller3]

Mount Pisgah on the Parkway is a long time fave. I also like the Davidson River campground near Brevard. If you do go to the Brevard area, make sure to visit Sliding Rock, a free and really fun roadside park.

Originally Posted by Redhawk

Planning a big trip with the TM from CO to the east coast, DW wants to spend time in the NC mountains and close to the ocean. Any special campgrounds or areas that would be recommended?

Coming from the west, you would probably be closer to SC beaches than NC. And SC has much more to choose from as far as campgrounds on or near the beach. NC has some nice beaches, but unless you go all the way to the Outer Banks, there isn't a lot to choose from near the water.

In the NC mountains, I've heard great things about Davidson River, though we haven't stayed there. Very few electric sites, though.

Moonshine Creek is a beautiful, quaint, small campground in Balsam. We stayed there 4 nights two years ago and absolutely loved it. There's a nice running stream right down through the middle of it.

We love the mountains, though we haven't camped up there that much.

Originally Posted by brulaz

...We've been interested in stopping at Stone Mountain State Park, N.C., but haven't had a chance yet.http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/stmo/main.php

We stayed there in July '07 and loved it. There's not much to do other than hike, but it is a nice park and sometimes the solitude is worth much more than activities. The site we stayed in was huge, though out in the open. Loop B has the electric sites.

Here is a pic of our site (B42)...

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

[rtcassel]

The NC state park campgrounds that I have stayed in lock the gates to the campground at night, and you cannot get in or out until they open in the morning. You can park outside the gate and walk in if you want. The hours the gates are open change by the season. Not all of the campgrounds are like this, so it is something to check and be aware of.

Great info...Thanks!
Any input on the outer banks?

We like the OB but you have to plan to go there, it is a long way from the I-95 corridor to Manteo.

We stayed at http://kittyhawkrv.com/default.aspx once on our way back from Florida. It is at MM4 in Kitty Hawk, the sites are small but fine for a TM. We had to get out in a hurry when a noreaster moved in quickly, but other than sand everywhere I would use them again if you want to stay on the north end. If you want Hatteras area then I would look closer to there. It is a long drive from one end of the OB to the other.

I agree with the statement that SC may be a better choice. If you go as far south as Charleston you can day trip Savannah and other areas. It really depends on what you are looking for. Lots of good beaches in that area.

I just booked Hilton Head SC for the first week of Oct. The DW wants to see Savanna. First time in that area.

http://www.hiltonheadharbor.com/

Koz