North Carolina can be divided into the Mountain, Piedmont and Coastal region. All three offer plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, water sports, camping and horseback riding. As of July 2010, North Carolina is home to 14 KOA campgrounds spread across all three regions, as well as hundreds of miles of rural horseback riding trails.
Mountain Region Campgrounds
The artsy town of Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Chimney Rock Park, Grandfather Mountain, White Water Falls Scenic Area, Linville Falls Recreation Area and Nantahala National Forest can all be found in North Carolina's mountain region.
All western North Carolina KOA campgrounds offer full hookups, cabins, pool, RV and tent sites. These include: Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA, Asheville West KOA, Asheville East KOA and Boone KOA. Because of its mountainous terrain and rivers, this region of North Carolina is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and white water rafting.
Piedmont Region Campgrounds
The cities of Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Salem can be found in North Carolina's Piedmont Region. The Piedmont is home to dozens of state parks and forests, such as Uwharrie National Forest, as well as hundreds of historic and cultural sites.
Because of its relatively flat terrain, the Piedmont is ideal for rural road biking and flat country hiking. KOA campgrounds in the region feature RV, tent and cabin sites, as well as pools, sports facilities, bike rentals, and complimentary Wi-Fi and mini-golf at most.
KOA campgrounds in the Piedmont include: the Charlotte/Fort Mills KOA, Statesville 1-77 KOA, Statesville East/I-40 Winston-Salem, Fayetteville/Wade KOA, Smithfield KOA and the Enfield/Rocky Mount KOA.
Coastal Region Campgrounds
North Carolina's Coastal Region is the state's most popular summertime destination because of its seaside and beach attractions, such as the outer banks and the city of Wilmington. This region is an ideal spot for water sports such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, waterskiing, swimming and parasailing.
KOA campgrounds in this region feature a pool, kayak and canoe rentals, and RV and tent sites. Visitors here can stay at the Shallotte/Brunswick KOA, Wilmington KOA, New Bern KOA and Cape Hatteras KOA.
Horseback Riding
Hundreds of miles of horseback riding trails are provided in North Carolina. In the Mountain Region, visitors can enjoy horseback riding through the Great Smokies, on the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Asheville countryside.
Companies in this region that offer horseback riding tours include Rocky Village Stables, North Mountain Outfitters and Douglas Lakeview Stables. In the Piedmont region, visitors can enjoy horseback riding in the Raleigh and Charlotte countryside. Families with kids can head to Dead Broke Farm for guided horse rides. In the coastal region, Country Carriage Stables and Tours, and Outer Banks Stables offer guided ride of the outer banks and coast.
Camping and Horseback Riding Considerations
Some KOA campgrounds stay open year round and others close between Nov. 1 and May 1, so it's wise to call ahead to confirm that your campground of choice is open. North Carolina KOA campgrounds tend to fill up quickly, so it's wise to make your reservations at least at few months in advance, particularly if you plan to camp at the Great Smokies KOA or any coastal KOAs.
Visitors should note that because of steep uphills and downhills in North Carolina's mountain region, children or inexperienced horseback riders may have difficulty. If you plan to ride through heavily forested areas, be sure to wear appropriate gear, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and riding shoes. This will reduce the risk of Lyme disease, poison oak and poison ivy.
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