Lakeside camping in North Carolina with fishing

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks, your adventure is waiting.

98% (3092 reviews)
98% (3092 reviews)

Popular camping styles for North Carolina

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top lakeside campgrounds in North Carolina with fishing

99%
(1253)

Dark Ridge Hide Out (Adults Only)

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Elk Park, NC
"Adults only" doesn't mean anything other than just "no children", so as to preserve the natural peace and quiet, and assurance that there won't be loud and unruly children on the property. Inquiries and booking requests received after 9: pm may not be answered until the next morning. Dark Ridge Hide Out, is a 20 acre parcel in the Blue Ridge Mountain's on the back side of the Beech Mt Ski Resort in a secluded quiet and safe community with less than a dozen homes in a one mile radius. Away from light and sound pollution. Except for an occasional passing vehicle "and often none at all from 10pm to 6am" all you will hear is the sound of the creek which runs through the lower section by the RV sites, cricket's and frogs at the nearby fish pond and only the light from the moon and star's in the clear mountain sky and fire flies. It is my home place with a tobacco barn and a big combination cattle/tobacco barn built almost entirely just by my Mom and Dad in early 1940"s. My parents and grand parents lived off of the land here and raised cash crops like cabbage, corn and tobacco, we also raised sugar cane and made molasses, we had free range chickens, as many as 50 honey bee hives and over 50 head of cattle, two or three hog's and of course a horse. There was four main fields; two for cow pasture, one meadow to grow hay "now Christmas trees" and the main one on my part where all crops were grown is where the camp sites are. I grew up helping with the crops and other farm chores, one was to go to the pasture and bring the milk cows in and do the milking every day before and after school, feed the hogs and chickens, gather the egg's, let the chickens out in the morning and close the chicken house in the evening to protect them from critters like opossums, raccoons and wildcats. This is where I grew up, my dad grew up and, near where my mother and both of my grandparents grew up. My house was built in 1905 the same year my dad was born. The campsites are on my 20 acre section section of the original 82 acres with the house and barns, the remainder went to my brother but now is out of the family. The section of Elk River with the Compression Falls "45 ft high" and Twisting Falls which is part of Pisgah National Forest is less than two miles from here, and an old logging road going around the mountain above the river for about three miles to another Falls "Elk River Falls, 65 ft high" is a great place to hike or mountain bike. You will be free to explore and hike any part of my property except the house and out building's. The pond's are full of Trout and Blue Gill fish that are like pet's they love little pieces of bread. You can feed the fish but no fishing.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$25
 / night
91%
(51)

At the Ridge Camp-Riverside Escapes

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents36 acres · Balsam Grove, NC
Our property was once owned by Transylvania County Sheriff Carter McCall. 36 acres in the middle of Pisgah National Forest. “Simple Mountain Camping” is our motto. Located approximately seven miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, At the Ridge Campground is surrounded by North Carolina’s beautiful Pisgah National Forest and the North Fork River. Here you can experience what you came to the Blue Ridge Mountains for: crisp evenings, sitting around the campfire, excellent views, relaxing in nature, hiking to waterfalls and fishing, Don’t forget our favorite, just watching the water go by! All at an affordable price.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$35
 / night
100%
(326)

JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

25 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents86 acres · Chinquapin, NC
Rated Finalist for Top Hipcamp in 2023 & 2024! Events: We will have once a month kids Saturday Nature Class (hour class: May 11 and June 15th) and Summer Camp July 24th-26th (3 hrs morning and afternoon). July 27th Kids Fishing Tournament. July 6th possible a small celebration. The historic pond was originally much smaller, and a mill pond in the 1920's and features a long dam along one side. It is a 22-acre lake, 2 smaller ponds and surrounded by woods, swamp, and farmed fields, a total of 90 acres. Divided by Duplin and Onslow County line making it very unique! Chinquapin, NC The Lee Baysden Pond was originally owned by Mr. Lee Baysden himself and first opened for fishing in 1956. The store/office is the original detached kitchen from his homeplace, which is the white house just up the street. We still use this today and it has Mr. Lee Baysden's handwriting in the store that states opened June 1956. The pond was owned and fished until the late 1990's. A hurricane damaged the dam and land was sold sometime after. The next owner dug the pond into the lake it is today and fixed the dam. It was deemed private and no fishing was permitted during this time frame. In 2020 My husband Tyler, and I decided to buy the Pond when we saw the signs up for sale. We created JCO, Juniper Creek Outfitters and Guide Service, fall 2020 and began to restore the lake and land to better than ever! We also have our first Glamping A-Frame cabin available. We have had several community events hosting fishing tournaments, fireworks, music, and food trucks. Our camp office/store is opened most weekends or by check-in requests and fishing passes available 7 days a week online from sunrise-dark. Our lake features fishing for Bass, Crappie, Bream, Catfish, Bowfin, varieties of Panfish, and more. Check out our Facebook page (JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond) for all the latest news and catches! We have tagged bass that have been released back into the lake. Let us know if you catch one so we can record it! We are continually trying to make JCO and Lee Baysden Pond a great place in our community for friends and families! Enjoy the great outdoors unplugging from all the daily devices of reality. Enjoy bird watching for ducks, geese, heron, osprey or occasional eagle, owls, turkey, and more. We now have a lake Kitty that adopted us and is now part of the team. Her name is "Tail", named by our 4 year old, Beckham. You may see Tail roaming around by the office or patrolling the campground as lake security. Beckham and our new baby girl Atley will be with us most days in office or helping to check you in to your sites! Eight RV sites- # 2, 6, 7, 8 are 30/50 amp, water hookups, fire pit, and waterfront. Sites #3, 4, 5, 9 are 30 amp Only, water hookups, firepit and waterfront. Check out descriptions and pictures of each site at booking. Pump out dump station at check out that we handle for you. Nine Tent sites (More on the way)- Sites #1-4 are Sunset Cove primitive Sites and #5 and 6 are Group bigger sites side by side. Little Pond site all by itself on private pond off the main lake. Sawmill Creek Tent site right off backside of the dam. Couples Glamping A-frame Cabin complete with add on extras to make your stay more special. Includes Canoe and fishing passes. New Fully floating Cabin currently moored in RV #1 originally. Featuring full bathroom, kitchenette with Mini Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Pot, 2 burner range, dishes, gas logs, queen bed, futon, tv and wifi, covered front porch, firepit, charcoal grill, canoe and more. Enjoy local favorites (ask to see our blog!) The Country Barn, Mike's Farm, Community Food and Grill, The Country Squire, Huffman Vineyards, Duplin Winery, Walton's Distillery, Southern breeze Seafood Market and Food Truck, Richlands Cajun Market, Triple C Sweets, Capt. Bob Becks Marina Cafe, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, Lynnwood Zoo, Surf City Beach and hour drive to Wilmington, NC. 30 minutes to Camp Lejeune, NC, and 10 minutes to Albert Ellis Airport, Jacksonville, NC Chinquapin, NC Richlands, NC Beulaville NC Wilmington NC Wallace NC Jacksonville, NC Camp Lejeune, NC Swansboro, NC Burgaw, NC Maple Hill, NC Eastern Nc.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$25
 / night
93%
(169)

Trout Creek Campgrounds

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents7 acres · Tuckasegee, NC
When you think about camping, does your mind automatically think of a tent and a fire? Or is it more of an RV in a campground? Do you have arguments of whether or not your way of “sleeping outside” is actually camping? Well, opinions of all kinds obviously exist, but it’s true: camping exists in many forms. So whether you’re a newbie to camping and you don’t know where to start, or you’re a seasoned pro looking for inspiration, here are some kinds of camping to get you started on your next getaway. To backcountry camp, you generally have to go somewhere inaccessible from roads. It can be a mile away from the trailhead or somewhere in the middle of a mountain range during a weeklong trek. The point is you’re away from civilization. You pack in what you can carry, are never without a Swiss Army Knife, and (hopefully) pack out all of your waste and leave everything looking as good (or better) than when you came. ALL BOOKINGS ARE AUTOMATICALLY OFF-CREEK. UPGRADES ARE AVAILABLE DEPENDANT ON AVAILABILITY. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE HOWEVER ALL PAYMENTS ARE NONREFUNDABLE.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$40
 / night
98%
(363)

Sky High Ridge RV Campground

10 sites · RVs14 acres · Scaly Mountain, NC
Escape the noise and heat of the valley. Chill in the cool mountain air high atop the Highlands Plateau with breath taking views and sunsets. Unhitch and relax in one of our secluded treed sites with water, up to 100 amp electric, and waste hookup. Base camp to adventure in hiking, waterfalls, kayaking, winter and summer tubing, ice skating, and the largest Zipline in NC, in National Forests and Parks. Bartram Trail, that peaks Rabun Bald, and the Appalachian Trail are a within a stones throw. Our campground is for the hardy even getting here is an adventure!Sky high Ridge Campground is in the western mountains of North Carolina at a cool altitude of about 3700 feet.Welcome!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from 
$39
 / night
96%
(52)

Lake Lookout Campground

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Claremont, NC
Lake Lookout is a small family campground with waterfront and water access RV and tent sites in Claremont, NC. We also have a furnished RV and furnished cabin available for short term rentals. Excellent fishing, swimming, kayaking, and boating on the Catawba River and Lookout Shoals Lake We are in the process of improving the facilities and expand the campground area. Please pardon our construction, we are in the process of bringing more amenities to Lake Lookout! Located only 7-minutes off I-40, in the Foothills of North Carolina. Stay on the water surrounded by nature but still be close to everything. 20 minutes to Hickory, 60 minutes to Charlotte, Winston Salem, or Asheville. We currently have waterfront RV and tent sites. 30 amp electric and water hookups. There is a dump station on site also, no sewer hookups due to proximity to the water. Boat ramp access on site included with rental. Extra parking area for boat trailers. Bath house. Community lake front area with shoreline access, volleyball and horseshoe pits for all campers. A short drive to River Bend Park for Hiking and biking trails.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$50
 / night
96%
(39)

Carl’s Campsites - Riverside

17 sites · RVs, Tents58 acres · Pilot Mountain, NC
BEST KEPT SECRET IN PILOT MOUNTAIN!! Select TENT SITES below to book specific campsite. Small wooded camping area on the Ararat river in beautiful Pilot Mountain on Private Land! 9 riverfront sites for tents with two access points into river. There is a 2-car limit parking at the sites, and four wheel drive absolute MUST when wet or rain expected! There is also availability to camp on total of 58 acres owned by Carl’s Campsites. Select a field or hike-in site, with 2 field sites which have rock firepits. Bring your own camp toilet and water containers. Take trash with you. Potable water available across from A-Frame. Riverside Sites includes private structure with rustic toilet, an E-series seat, and a place to hang a shower bag. Water and soap for hand washing provided. Separate trashcan for toilet bags. No ATVs. LIMIT 2 TENTS AND TWO VEHICLES PER CAMPSITE. Campers expected to be environmentally respectful. Riverside sites have trash receptacles, Fire pit, hammock, and picnic table. Swimming, fishing, hiking of property permitted. Pilot Mountain State Park, Hanging Rock, and MANY wineries close by. Lots of hiking on property as well as State Parks close by. Hanging Rock is a great place to explore, with a lake and swimming for reasonable price and picnic areas in the park. We are also 20 minutes from Mt Airy, fictitious home of Mayberry.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$45
 / night
97%
(281)

Camping on Cloud 9

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents9 acres · Black Mountain, NC
As soon as I walked onto this property and to the creek, I knew it was HOME! I found everything I was looking for here: a beautiful and peaceful place to rejuvenate myself and raise my child; a clean water creek for play and power supply; a spring and well for a clean, controlled water source; clean land to nurture delicious food. We (Tender Wolf and I) have accomplished a lot in the 3 years we've been here, and are constantly bringing dreams to life. We're working towards creating a regenerative food forest as well as developing green buildings to house community and guests. We are so happy to share this awesome space! Last year we were blessed to hold space for over 100 groups of people seeking sanctuary and adventure. We've added new spaces and upgrades to existing sites so that we may serve even more sweet souls this year. We've hosted upwards of a thousand of people, and are excited to welcome many more like-minded folks in the years to come.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$27
 / night
97%
(295)

Linville Adventure Pasture (LAP)

9 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Nebo, NC
Family Owned location with great views . Located adjacent to the Linville River and across the street from Lake James . This location gives the camper a center location for many activities. The State Fonta Flora trail system sits within feet of this property and offers the mountain biker miles of beautiful trails . Within a short distance is the trail head to Shortoff mountain and Linville George with exceptional views and hiking. Boat landing is a close for those who want to recreate on the lake and kayak. Close by is the renowned Fonta Flora brewery and Mica Town Breweries located only a few miles away.This is a secluded space that is private and on the Linville River before it enters Lake James. Lake James State Park offers a full menu of activities. Along with boating, swimming and fishing in the beautiful, clear waters of the 6,812-acre lake, there are 25 miles of trails, 15 of which are open to mountain biking. Trails vary from the short, educational Holly Discovery Trail with child-friendly activities, to the more adventurous, historic section of the Overmountain Victory Trail. Welcome!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$45
 / night
93%
(40)

Nantahala: Cabins & Campsites

13 sites · Lodging, Tents7 acres · NC
We just retired from Active Duty Air Force! My ancestors have owned the land our NC cabins sit on since 1836. In fact, my mother grew up there after my Grandfather returned from WWII when there was no electricity and the outhouse was a bench over the creek. I grew up hiking the mountains with my brothers and our BB guns and my Uncle Frank at our family reunions. In 2005 he deeded us a parcel of land and we built our first cabin - Smawlie. We love to come to the cabin and Hike the trails on our own property, and of course, the world famous ones that join them, namely the Bartram and the Appalachian Trails. As you explore the lake, the trails, the rivers, and the mountain roads you'll see why our ancestors settled here. In 2018 - we bought the remainder of Uncle Frank's land - and in his honor built our second cabin - Frank's Landing. Also in that year I started managing my brother Bill's cabin. When we were stationed in Alaska for 6 heavenly years - we purchased a remote parcel of property and have slowly begun to develop it. We just completed building our cabin there. Thanks for reading this little tid bit about us. We love to explore the mountains and are excited to share our cabins with you.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$45
 / night
100%
(97)

Blue Ridge Horse Adventures

10 sites · RVs, Tents300 acres · Spruce Pine, NC
Get away from the crowds. On 300 beautiful acres once operated as a children's summer adventure camp, this property has a house with a dormitory style bathroom for camper use. There are 3 primitive campsites, 2 cottages, and a horse sanctuary. The campsites are spaced out around the property for privacy. A short walk gets you to the bathroom reserved for campers only which has 2 toilets, 2 showers, and 2 sinks. 4WD or AWD is recommended for all sites due to 1/2 mile gravel road and then completely off road for a short distance. Or, if you are bringing 2WD, there is plenty of parking and then walk to your campsite. We don't recommend trying to bring large RV's due to the access. Winter camping is encouraged with free firewood. However, you will probably need to park near the bathroom and walk to your campsite to limit soil erosion of the off-road trail. Pets are welcome only at some sites, but please please let us know you are bringing them and they will need to be leashed due to other animals. A large part of the property is forest with hiking trails, creeks, and wildlife. You can see wildflowers and lightning bugs in season along with deer, turkey, and horses. And all of our spots have a great view of the sky! We're not far from the Bare Dark Sky Observatory. The grass horse arena and the pond were originally built for the summer camp. The pond is stocked with bass and bluegill and has a chorus of bullfrogs in summer. The arena is flat and has a long range mountain view all the way to Mt. Mitchell (highest peak east of the Mississippi). There are also a meadow spot encircled by trees.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$50
 / night
99%
(203)

Mountaintop Fantasy

4 sites · Lodging8 acres · Cullowhee, NC
Selected by Outside Magazine as their Favorite Hipcamp in North Carolina and a Hipcamp Finalist in N.C. 2020, 2021, and 2022 and runner up best treehouse in 2023, you can choose among three separate and memorable experiences in our 8 acre compound: 1) a woodsy, peaceful glamping experience with million dollar views in an 6 person tent;; 2) a glampingTreehouse with W/C; and 3) the newly built 2BR 1 1/2 BA private annex to our house. Each can be all yours - this is not a commercial campground. Explore the innumerable trails and waterfalls of the Smokies; fish in the Lake or numerous rivers and streams; swim in the Lake and at the sand beach down the road; rent a pontoon boat; travel the Blue Ridge Parkway; enjoy the shopping and restaurants of nearby Cashiers and Highlands. Or just chill out. These are truly unique high altitude sites with amenities you won't find elsewhere. Both are in a gated "subdivision" that has 60 lots but only 8 houses - the rest is woods and the only place in your vicinity is our cabin. With unmatched mountain and western views, if you like the great outdoors on the mountain and in the woods, This is the place for you and your family. If you like a more camping style with tent (provided), covered camp kitchen, table and firepit ( along with the uncovered ones) check out Smoky Mountain High. Don't like tents? No problem. Check out our Treehouse with kitchen, bunks, grill, cooktop, heaters, W/C and more. Prefer indoor rustic luxury? The Glenville Aerie (4100') is a fully furnished, annex we built for our family, guests and friends who value their privacy. Walkie-talkies to facilitate mountain communications. Board games too. Access to our dock, canoes and kayak? Yep. Adult life preservers provided. Secret nature trail to our kids playground and trampoline. Hammock, kid's swing, hanging chair and dining for 6. Visit with Jake the Cat and our chickens. This area is truly one of a kind spiritual respite. These mountains are justly known for hiking, fishing, water sports, chilling out and forgetting about the Virus, politics and the nuisances of the workaday world. Our goal is to provide you and your family with an unforgettable and magical N.C. mountain experience, while reducing your blood pressure.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$120
 / night

Available this weekend

Value Prop
Value Prop

Lakeside camping in North Carolina with fishing guide

Overview

Crank up the fiddle-and-banjo tunes while driving through the High Country, where campsites and high-altitude views along the Blue Ridge Parkway are marked by mists and mountains. The parkway rolls up to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not far from the gorgeous homelands of the Cherokee tribe. Just east in Asheville, the Ale Trail rivals the Biltmore as the top draw, though live music and a fantastic culinary scene are close behind. Drive east to the windswept barrier islands of the Outer Banks for coastal camping, wildlife watching, and outdoor adventures that tear across sea and sky. Charlotte, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh anchor the booming Central Piedmont.

Where to go

High Country & the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway passes overlooks, waterfalls, and campgrounds in the rugged High Country of western North Carolina as it swoops south from Virginia. Mount Mitchell State Park, Linville Gorge, and Grandfather Mountain are Instagram-pretty while hiking and mountain biking trails beg to be explored.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Cherokee

Stories about Cherokee leaders and 19th-century mountain families add historic context to the mountain-and-forest views in the deep-green Smokies. Feeling social? Hit the welcoming Nantahala Outdoor Center for all-sorts of wild adventures, from rafting to ziplining. The Appalachian Trail runs along the North Carolina and Tennessee border in the national park then veers south through Nantahala National Forest.

Asheville & the Foothills

An easy detour from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is a mountain town that’s going places. The craft beer situation is out of control—more than 30 breweries!—while innovative chefs keep the foodie scene abuzz. Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, and gorgeous waterfalls are outdoor highlights in the foothills. Mountain bikers, get your fix in Pisgah National Forest

North Carolina Coast

Wind, water, and sunny skies set a mood for fun along the North Carolina Coast. For the best all-around beach scene head to the Outer Banks, a 100-mile stretch of rugged barrier islands marked by dunes, fishing piers, and wild horses. Try hang-gliding at Jockey’s Ridge, windsurfing off Hatteras Island, and parasailing and paddling in Corolla and Duck. For close-to-the-beach tent camping, drive south to Cape Hatteras National Seashore or ferry over to Ocracoke Island.

Top cities in and near North Carolina

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Hipcamp is the most comprehensive resource for beautiful private campsites.

Discover and reserve tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping.

Download the Hipcamp App

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.