Camp & Hike
Bike
Boone, North Carolina, has Boone campgrounds which makes it stand out as a special choice for your upcoming camping escapade. Nestled in the High Country by the Watauga River, this area is adorned with sweet wineries lining some of the most picturesque backcountry roads in the entire United States.
What makes camping in the North Carolina High Country special is that it doesn't necessarily demand a rustic experience.
The Boone picnic areas are a beautiful mountain site and boast many high, privately operated camp sites with picnic table that cater to diverse people, even if you roll in with an RV or opt for a classic camping arrangement.
As not only one of the finest small towns in Western NC but also a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventurers of all skill levels, Boone sets the stage for an inspiring outdoor experience.
Given its natural allure, Boone is home to a surplus of campgrounds, varying in comfort from normal old country sites to deluxe glamping options.
Amidst this variety, each campground in the heart of the NC High Country gives good access to some of the region's premier hiking trails and the breathtaking heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Our guide to Boone's best campgrounds goes beyond the normal and shows many unique RV parks and campsites.
Top 15 Boone Campgrounds and RV Parks in North Carolina
The top 15 best Boone Campgrounds and RV parks in North Carolina are:
1. Honey Bear Campground
This campground is located at 229 Honey Bear Campground Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607. They have a laundry room, bath house, and showers, allow family pets, and have a children’s water play arena is available. It is minutes from downtown Boone and Appalachian State University.
This campground hosts events, including karaoke contests, barbecues, and more. It features a water play area, a coffee shop, and organized games.
2. Flintlock Campground
This campground is at 171 Flintlock Campground Drive, Hwy 105, Boone, North Carolina 28607. They have Daily/Weekly/Monthly Rates. This great place is nestled against a mountain flowing stream.
Flintlock Campground gives you a quiet mood with amenities like volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, and a playground. It's an easy campground for RVs with big trees and huge shades.
3. Boone KOA Holiday
It is located at 123 Harmony Mountain Ln, Boone, North Carolina 28607. It is the highest-elevated KOA campground east of the Mississippi River. Boone KOA provides a cool breeze, ture trails, a heated pool, and miniature golf. It's known for its cleanliness and friendly staff.
4. Vanderpool Campground
The Vanderpool campground is at 120 Campground Road, Vilas, North Carolina 28692. They open year-round. Vanderpool Campground has unique and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is only 9 miles north of Boone and provides nice, complimentary and fun outdoor games.
5. Blue Bear Mountain Campground
This campground is located at 196 Blue Bear Mountain Road, Todd, North Carolina, 28684. It is known for its spacious camping pads and wildlife viewing. Blue Bear Mountain Campground shows off musical concerts, trout fishing, natural spring water, and beautiful fall foliage views. It stays free and open year-round.
READ ALSO: Best Camping Air Conditioners
6. Grandfather Campground RV Resort & Cabins
It is at 125 Riverside Drive, Banner Elk, North Carolina 28604. It is easily located close to Boone, Blowing Rock, and ski resorts. Grandfather Campground is open year-round. It gives six-month rates, a dumping station, and other amenities.
7. Julian Price Campground
It is located at 5580 Shulls Mill Road, Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605. It is on the shores of Lake Price. Juflian Price Campground provides canoeing, boating, fishing, and hiking opportunities. It features fire pits, grills, and beautiful lake views.
8. Down by the River Campground
It is at 292 River Campground Road, Pineola, North Carolina 28662. It is a campground for those over 55. Down by the new river are nice and organized parties, with large open areas and a river for fishing. It is open from mid-May to mid-October.
9. Raccoon Holler Campground
This campground is at 493 Raccoon Hollow Road, Jefferson, North Carolina 28640. It is located on top of a mountain and has feet elevation. Raccoon Holler Campground has special family-friendly camping with spacious and private sites. The campground hosts organized fun events and has an on-site store.
10. Doughton Park Campground
The campground is at Milepost 241, Laurel Springs, North Carolina 28644. It is within the 7,000-acre Doughton National Park. This campground provides access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, scenic views, wildlife, and ranger-led programs.
11. Inn Town Campground
It is at 9 Cannery Street, Nevada City, California 95959. It is in the Great Smoky Mountains. InnBRooks Campground has a serene view with easy access to attractions. It features full hookups, a creek, and acres of pristine mountain land and views.
12. Bear Den Family Campground & Creekside Cabins
It is located at 600 Bear Den Mountain Road, Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777. The campground is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest. Bear Den Campground provides a lot of amenities, including fishing, hiking, and gem mining. It gives full hookups and creekside cabin rentals.
13. Linville Falls Campground, RV Park & Cabins
It is located at 717 Gurney Franklin Road, Linville Falls, North Carolina 28647. It is close to Linville Falls and the Blue Ridge Parkway. This campground has RV sites, tent camping, and cabins. It features a game room, a playground, and hiking trails.
14. Parkway Campground & RV Park
It is located at 5905 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, North Carolina 28751, with easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This beautiful place has full hookups, pull-through sites, and a stocked flowing stream. It is a family-friendly campground with mountain views.
READ ALSO: Best Overlanding Tent with Roof
15. Campfire Lodgings
The campfire Lodgings is at 116 Appalachian Village Road, Asheville, North Carolina 28804. It is located on Goldview Knob, and Campfire Lodgings shows stunning and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It has full hookups, cabins, tent sites, hiking trails, and a peaceful atmosphere.
Affordable Boone Campgrounds in NC
You can still go on your vacation and have fun without breaking the bank. The following are the affordable boone campgrounds in NC:
1. Shady Creek View Tent Site
This camp is located in Marion, Mc Dowell. This site offers a peaceful camping experience and large events with a scenic view of a shady creek, starting from $35 per night.
2. Blue Bear Mountain Camp
The Blue Bear Mountain Camp is situated in Boone, Watauga; this camp, with 46 sites and 150 acres, provides a cheap and picturesque camping option, starting from $30 per night.
3. Dark Ridge Hide Out (Adults Only)
This campground is not for children. It is exclusively for adults and is located in Elk Park, Avery. This perfect place has 16 wonderful areas in the middle of nature's beauty for a peaceful vacation and sitout, starting from $25 per night.
4. Blue Ridge Ranch
This one is found in Ferguson, Wilkes. This site provides a beautiful mountain-setting tent camping in a canopy of timber with beautiful views, natural setting starting from $15 per night.
5. Loafers Joy Meadow
It is located in Zionville, Watauga. This meadow of joy has three affordable areas for RVs, park grill, and tents in a peaceful, natural atmosphere, starting from $20 per night.
6. Wildcat RV Site with Private Hot Tub
It is located in Boone, Watauga. This site combines luxury and affordability. It also has an RV site with a private hot tub, starting from $95 per night.
7. Dishware to Plenty - Tiny House in Happy Valley
Lenoir, Caldwell is home to this unique, affordable camping option and campsites. It is a tiny house with a cool experience, starting from $105 per night.
8. Rose Mountain Farm
It is located in Lansing, Ashe; camp under the stars at this affordable site with beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere, starting from $20 per night.
9. Hidden River Experience
Discover an affordable camping experience by the Hidden River in West Jefferson, Ashe, with 6 sites for tents, promising a serene retreat starting from $47.50 per night.
10. Waterdog Campground
Enjoy camping by the water in Crumpler, Ashe, at Waterdog Campground, which has 18 affordable sites for RVs and tents, starting from $30 per night.
What Makes the Best RV Park?
The best RV parks are distinguished by a combination of factors contributing to a positive and sweet feeling and experience for campers. Here's a breakdown of what makes the best RV park:
- Strategic Location and Scenic Views: You can park your RV almost anywhere, but it's super awesome if you can find a spot during your family vacation that lets you soak in the beauty of nature. Having a great view with trees and woods around is way better than just being in a parking lot.
- Affable people: Let's talk about what makes RV parks great. When families stay overnight somewhere, they want a cozy and welcoming place. That includes having some space between them and other campers, having trees around, and meeting friendly people. Nobody likes parking on a plain, boring lot!
- Fast Wi-Fi: Having good internet while camping is not always okay, but it's super helpful. People need Wi-Fi to do work stuff and share their adventures.
- Hot Showers: A nice warm shower is a real treat after a day outside. If you give campers a cold one, they may not come back.
- Beautiful Views: Parking an RV anywhere is possible, but it's awesome if you can stop where you see nature's beauty – like nice trees and wooded areas, not just a boring parking lot.
- Picnic Tables and Firepits: Having a campfire and eating at a picnic table is okay but very essential for camping. It doesn't cost much for each RV space, but it makes campers happy.
- Friendly Owners and Staff: Nice and friendly owners and staff make a big difference. People will return because they are welcomed; some even consider them family.
- Easy Parking: Not everyone is a pro at parking RVs. Having areas where you don't need tricky maneuvers helps Dad sleep better without worrying about morning parking stress.
- Wide Paths. Similar to the last one, it's easier to drive around an RV park if there's space. Narrow paths can be a problem and even cause accidents, which can ruin a vacation.
- Free Stuff: Some RV parks give out freebies like SWAG and coffee. It's not costly for the owner, but campers love it.
- No Hidden Fees: Nobody likes surprise charges, especially when spending a lot on a vacation. Being upfront about all the costs will make people happy and likely to come back and leave positive reviews.
READ ALSO: Best Coldwater Campgrounds and Parks
How Much Does it Cost to Camp at NC State Parks?
How much does it cost to see some beautiful mountain setting, luxury stargazer domes, or be a part of some special events? See here to know what it will cost you!
Fees for Booking, Canceling, and Other Stuff
When you make a reservation, there's a $3 service fee for all bookings, even if you do it in person.
- This fee is for processing your reservation with ReserveAmerica. It's money you can't get back unless the park closes, and then you get a refund.
- If you want to cancel your reservation, there's another $3 fee. So, it costs $6 to cancel each site for each night. Depending on the place and how soon you cancel, there might be more fees.
- But hey, this cancellation fee doesn't apply to renting equipment, swim passes, special activities, or entrance fees.
- All the prices you see on the website already include the $3 service fee if it applies. And, just so you know, if you give them a bounced check, they'll charge you $25.
For Senior Citizens or Veteran and Military members
Here's the lowdown:
- If you're a senior, you gotta be 62 or older to grab a $6 discount per night on certain campsites.
- When you check into the campground, make sure you bring a valid ID showing your birthdate or legal proof that you served in the military.
- Just so you know, the discount doesn't work for primitive or group campsites, vacation cabins, or rentals. But if you're into marina dockage slip rentals at Carolina Beach Park, it's all good!
- Unfortunately, the discount doesn't cover all activity prices or permits. But here's a cool thing – seniors 62 or older and military/veterans can get a discounted price for entrance fees at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake recreation areas. Just flash that ID, and you're in!
Sometimes, not all campsites and stuff are open all year. You should check the park's website or ask them about when campgrounds, swimming pools, boat rentals, and other things are open because it can change every year.
If you're going to Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, or Kerr Lake recreation spots, you may have to pay to get in on weekends in April, May, and September and every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
And just so you know, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is part of the government, so they don't take federal passes like the America the Beautiful Pass or passes from other states. They don't have special discounts, except for seniors and military/veterans.
Is it Legal to Boondock in North Carolina?
If you enjoy camping, you don't have to wait for a fancy campground. North Carolina has lots of free camping locations! In the Appalachian Mountains, close to the Smoky Mountains Park, there are great options. If you're into history and want an urban vibe, check out Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point in the Piedmont.
The inner coastal sites and price lake and range have an awesome barbecue and is full of interesting history. If you love water, camping in the coastal river and water area and the outer banks is perfect. Basically, if you look in North Carolina, you'll find lots of nice areas for boondocking!