The best star host camping near Morganton

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Camp in the Eastern Appalachian Mountain foothills around Morganton to become immersed in the nature of North Carolina. Tent and RV campers can find multiple riverside  campgrounds right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and bike, hike, or paddle into the backcountry from their campsite. Catawba River flows west through the city toward Lake James State Park, where shoreline camping, swimming, and fishing are popular in summer. Winter travelers can try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing while backpacking in Elk Knob State Park, then warm up at a cozy cabin rental back in town.

99% (7.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Farmhouse Gallery & Gardens

1. Farmhouse Gallery & Gardens

100%
(161)
49mi from Morganton · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Unicoi, TN
Learn more about this land:You’ll cross the covered bridge (clearance 11’6” ) as you enter our farm, a 73 acre small family farm, nestled in the Buffalo Valley of Northeast TN, and featuring a down home country atmosphere. What makes our farm special are all of the unique extras: a working log cabin blacksmith shop, log cabin art gallery, certified commercial kitchen, lots of watchable wildlife, and walking trails. We have a one acre wildlife pond and a smaller pond fed by springs and Buffalo Creek, which runs through the farm. Our small buffalo herd is pastured not far from the campsites and our friendly peacocks and chickens roam the grounds. We also offer classes in blacksmithing, art, foraging and cooking periodically. We are rural but not remote and are minutes away from state parks, fishing, hiking, rafting and other recreational activities as well as downtown Johnson City and Historic Jonesborough with breweries, shops, and many restaurants. As purveyors of Appalachian culture and cuisine, we invite you to stay a day , or longer, to share our friendly and relaxing small farm atmosphere in the mountains.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$39
 / night
Mountain View Acres

2. Mountain View Acres

98%
(225)
49mi from Morganton · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Flat Rock, NC
Make some memories at this unique and family-friendly place. Completely remodeled January of 2022. Our cabin sits on 20 acres with beautiful mountain views. Away from the hustle and bustle, but only 30 minutes to Asheville, and close to shopping, restaurants, hiking, rafting, waterfalls, and much, much more! Enjoy getting away as a couple, or with the kids. Just steps away from our game room with pool, ping pong, foos ball, air hockey, darts, and exercise room. Come pet the animals! This 1 room cabin includes 1 King bed, pullout queen sofa, large comfy chair, dining table for 4, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, grill, picnic table, fire pit, cooking essentials, towels, and linens. This cabin is next to a bathhouse. There is a mens and womens restroom. Both restrooms are equipped with 6 showers, 4 stalls, and 8 sinks. You will have complete access to restrooms and showers. You will also have access to the gameroom and exercise room. Across from the cabin is a large pasture and our animals.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$32
 / night
Could sit and stare at this view all day

4. Gusher Knob

97%
(55)
24mi from Morganton · 2 sites · Tents · Crossnore, NC
Gusher Knob is a 220+ acre forested mountain near Spruce Pine, NC. One of the campsites has a 12 x 12 raised platform for your tent (we don't recommend pitching a tent anywhere other than the platform), picnic table, fire pit, and a hook to hold a lantern. This first campsite on the property has a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A second campsite is more primitive (no picnic table or platform yet) is in a forested section with access to the Toe River. It is available now, but improvements are planned such as building a platform, adding a picnic bench and expanding the current fire pit. Please stay on the trails and the campsite areas as the surrounding land is private and monitored. Cell coverage is ok. Nearby hiking, climbing, and fly fishing are a few activities you will enjoy when visiting this lovely area of western NC. One campsite is a short 7-minute easy hike along a well-marked clear trail from the parking spot. The trail is non-technical and will mostly accommodate camping gear with wheels, such as a cooler. The other campsite takes a little longer hike to reach (10-minutes). Since it's situated in the woods, please be aware that you may encounter any number of nature's residents such as deer, squirrels, box turtles, wild turkeys, and bears. Please do not feed them and make sure to protect any food items appropriately. None of the natural residents has any interest in you personally, but they are known to be drawn to available food items.
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
$38
 / night

Camp in the Eastern Appalachian Mountain foothills around Morganton to become immersed in the nature of North Carolina. Tent and RV campers can find multiple riverside  campgrounds right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and bike, hike, or paddle into the backcountry from their campsite. Catawba River flows west through the city toward Lake James State Park, where shoreline camping, swimming, and fishing are popular in summer. Winter travelers can try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing while backpacking in Elk Knob State Park, then warm up at a cozy cabin rental back in town.

99% (7.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Farmhouse Gallery & Gardens

1. Farmhouse Gallery & Gardens

100%
(161)
49mi from Morganton · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Unicoi, TN
Learn more about this land:You’ll cross the covered bridge (clearance 11’6” ) as you enter our farm, a 73 acre small family farm, nestled in the Buffalo Valley of Northeast TN, and featuring a down home country atmosphere. What makes our farm special are all of the unique extras: a working log cabin blacksmith shop, log cabin art gallery, certified commercial kitchen, lots of watchable wildlife, and walking trails. We have a one acre wildlife pond and a smaller pond fed by springs and Buffalo Creek, which runs through the farm. Our small buffalo herd is pastured not far from the campsites and our friendly peacocks and chickens roam the grounds. We also offer classes in blacksmithing, art, foraging and cooking periodically. We are rural but not remote and are minutes away from state parks, fishing, hiking, rafting and other recreational activities as well as downtown Johnson City and Historic Jonesborough with breweries, shops, and many restaurants. As purveyors of Appalachian culture and cuisine, we invite you to stay a day , or longer, to share our friendly and relaxing small farm atmosphere in the mountains.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$39
 / night
Mountain View Acres

2. Mountain View Acres

98%
(225)
49mi from Morganton · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Flat Rock, NC
Make some memories at this unique and family-friendly place. Completely remodeled January of 2022. Our cabin sits on 20 acres with beautiful mountain views. Away from the hustle and bustle, but only 30 minutes to Asheville, and close to shopping, restaurants, hiking, rafting, waterfalls, and much, much more! Enjoy getting away as a couple, or with the kids. Just steps away from our game room with pool, ping pong, foos ball, air hockey, darts, and exercise room. Come pet the animals! This 1 room cabin includes 1 King bed, pullout queen sofa, large comfy chair, dining table for 4, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, grill, picnic table, fire pit, cooking essentials, towels, and linens. This cabin is next to a bathhouse. There is a mens and womens restroom. Both restrooms are equipped with 6 showers, 4 stalls, and 8 sinks. You will have complete access to restrooms and showers. You will also have access to the gameroom and exercise room. Across from the cabin is a large pasture and our animals.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$32
 / night
Could sit and stare at this view all day

4. Gusher Knob

97%
(55)
24mi from Morganton · 2 sites · Tents · Crossnore, NC
Gusher Knob is a 220+ acre forested mountain near Spruce Pine, NC. One of the campsites has a 12 x 12 raised platform for your tent (we don't recommend pitching a tent anywhere other than the platform), picnic table, fire pit, and a hook to hold a lantern. This first campsite on the property has a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A second campsite is more primitive (no picnic table or platform yet) is in a forested section with access to the Toe River. It is available now, but improvements are planned such as building a platform, adding a picnic bench and expanding the current fire pit. Please stay on the trails and the campsite areas as the surrounding land is private and monitored. Cell coverage is ok. Nearby hiking, climbing, and fly fishing are a few activities you will enjoy when visiting this lovely area of western NC. One campsite is a short 7-minute easy hike along a well-marked clear trail from the parking spot. The trail is non-technical and will mostly accommodate camping gear with wheels, such as a cooler. The other campsite takes a little longer hike to reach (10-minutes). Since it's situated in the woods, please be aware that you may encounter any number of nature's residents such as deer, squirrels, box turtles, wild turkeys, and bears. Please do not feed them and make sure to protect any food items appropriately. None of the natural residents has any interest in you personally, but they are known to be drawn to available food items.
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
$38
 / night

Stories from the community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best star host camping near Morganton guide

Where to go

Elk Knob State Park

Just over an hour outside Morganton, Elk Knob State Park offers primitive camping opportunities in the backcountry. Backpack 1-2 miles in for an overnight stay, and register your visit in the box at the trailhead. Then, set up at a campsite next to New River streams. Or take a daytrip and hike 5.5 miles up to the Elk Knob overlook to see panoramic views of North Carolina’s high country. Winter campers can try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on a mile of ungroomed trail in Elk Knob, as well.

Stone Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain, a 600-foot granite dome and National Natural Landmark, is the chief attraction at Stone Mountain State Park. Here, campers can explore waterfalls and creeks, spend the day rock climbing, or learn the history of the area at the restored 19th-century Hutchinson Homestead farm at the base of Stone Mountain. Some park campsites are ADA-accessible with hot showers, firepits, and 50-amp hookups. There are also hike-in primitive campsites available. Many nearby campgrounds are also close to horseback riding trails and trout fishing streams.

Lake James State Park

Just a half an hour west of Morganton along the Catawba River, Lake James State Park offers shoreline camping along Paddys Creek or Catawba River streams. Campers can boat and fish in Lake James waters, or take canoes and kayaks to primitive paddle-in campsites. Prepare for bears in some areas of the park. Most campsites in the park have firepits and picnic tables, and potable water is available throughout the park.

When to go

Morganton has hot, humid summers that start in May and last until mid-September. Average daily temps are generally above 80°F, and water sports at nearby campgrounds are popular during these months. Most rainfall happens during summer, as well—prepare for wetter days and set up at campsites with paved pads or rain covers. In the winters, moderate snowfall between December and March is perfect for mountain snow sports. An average winter temperature of 58°F makes skiing and snowshoeing enjoyable for campers who visit this time of year.