North Carolina radiates beauty from the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge mountains. The twelfth state to join the union, November of 1789, North Carolina's early history began with the tribes of three language families: Iroquoian, Siouan and Algonquian. Today, the Cherokee are most known internationally, and they continue to hold a strong presence in the western portion of the state, where the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is located. This park attracts between 8 and 10 million visitors annually, and its mountains are rich with legend and artifact. Campers are able to indulge in the state's many natural offerings. The mountains offer hundreds of beautiful places to explore, and setting up a camp in the Blue Ridge, Appalachian or Smokies will leave will enrich the experience of anyone who visits.
Hoof It
There are several horse camps statewide. Harmon Den Horse Camp is in a bear sanctuary. Located in the Pisgah National Forest, about 50 miles northwest of Asheville, this small camp has only 10 sites. Reservations must be made in advance as you'll need to get the combination to enter. A community hand pump provides water. Each site can accommodate four horses, and paring for a single vehicle and horse trailer. Picnic table, tent pad, lantern post, fire ring included. Nearby, there are over 14 miles of horse riding and hiking trails, And if you bring your fishing pole, there are several places to stop for lunch.
Grandfather Mountain
Four creeks attract campers, hikers and fisherpeople in this area off Highway 221 and Blue Ridge Parkway. Wilson, Andrews, North Cove and Harper. Pick up a topographic or trail map in advance, and getting to the actual creeks can be challenging. Mortimer Campground has campsites for tents and trailers, with basic facilities. These are fee sites, but do not require reservations. Around the area of upper Wilson Creek, primitive camping can be found on Forest Service land. If you plan ahead, there's an annual Blackberry Festival in downtown Lenoir held in July, as are the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Nearby, Linville Falls has its own campground and a 45 foot waterfall to explore.
Maggie Valley
An area known for its fall colours, Maggie Valley attracts countless visitors. If you play music, you'll appreciate the Hillbilly Campsite. Bring your guitar or fiddle and join in the pickin'. This campground has room for RVs and a separate tent area, with creekside or non-creekside rates. Dogs are not allowed, and no water or electricity is at the tent sites. Nearby, there are many places to explore, including gem mines, the Cherokee Reservation, and an antique auto museum. Whitewater rafting and horse-back riding can also be arranged.
Backcountry
The Appalachian Trail appeals to some hikers motivated to hike its length. Some people just do a section of it. There are backcountry shelters along the trail and elsewhere, such as in the Smoky Mountain Park. Anyone venturing out with backpacks to camp in the wilderness will have a completely different experience than at a site with restrooms, boat ramps and a snack bar. This kind of camping if for the highly adventures and skilled, preferably with prior experience. Out in the wilds, the moon seems larger, the stars nearer, and life quite pleasant. Permits are required for most backcountry camping, so you'd have to check in the area of interest. Be sure to consider bears and other wildlife, and learn the basic rules regarding fire usage and carrying out garbage. Also, be sure to know about stream, trail and water conditions, and how much you'll need to carry with you.
Honorable Mention
Though it is located on the Tennessee side, Cade's Cove is a must to mention for anyone venturing into the Smokies. It's really "just over the hill." The main road through the National Park connects Cherokee and Gatlinburg, so to see the whole park, visitors must move between the two states. Cade's Cove requires taking the well-marked side road well before reaching Gatlinburg. There are several choices for camping, mostly a bit rustic, but the area is quite stunning, in a "Cold Mountain" kind of way. Within the Cove itself are an 11-mile loop road, hiking trails, wildlife, old homesteads to explore, historic buildings, a water-wheel mill and nearby waterfalls. The whole area just can't be missed.
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