Hey guys, I really need to get out into the woods! I'm in Statesville, NC and am looking for someplace relatively close for a quick Saturday overnight hang. This will be my first venture in a hammock and am looking for suggestions and or companions to join in on the fun. I'd really prefer a somewhat truck camping experience for this first trip. Any suggestions?
Campground type hanging or backcountry type hanging? Some places to check out off the top of my head.
USFS Campgrounds (fee)
Mortimer Campground - 1hr 30min
Curtis Creek Campground - 1hr 20min
Black Mountain Campground - 1hr 50min
Roadside (free)
Most FS roads have sections where roadside camping is allowed for free, designated by a tent symbol. First come, first served. Curtis Creek Rd, Neals Creek Rd and South Toe River Rd are some I've used. These should all be less than 2 hrs drive.
Linville Gorge - 1.5 hr west rim, less than 2hr east rim. Old NC105 (Kistler Memorial Highway) allows camping along the roadside at existing camps. There are also campsites along the Table Rock road on the eastern rim but I've never used those.
Backcountry (free)
Harpers Creek Tr - 1.5hr. Camping available at sites less than a mile hike from trailhead. Can hike several miles if you'd like to other sites. Lots of water and waterfalls.
Linville Gorge - Can hike numerous trails into wilderness area and camp. Requires a permit to camp in wilderness.
I'm sure others can chime in with recommendations, these are just some I've got firsthand knowledge of.
A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way. -- Mark Twain
I was thinking more campground type... since it's just a quick out and back. But the lure of the backcountry is ALWAYS within reach.... And to be honest the harpers creek area is one i've never been too.... I think i'll add that to the research
You could look into areas around Lake Norman, a little more east to High Rock Lake or Badin Lake, or Yates Place in Uwharrie NF.
South Mountains State Park is about an hour from Statesville and a beautiful park with both campground and backcountry camping. However, there is a $10/night/site fee (up to 6 people on the site) for a backcountry site, and I think ~$20 for the campground. The campground is the nicest one I've been to in the SP system, but not many sites so reservations are recommended.
Caminante, son tus huellas el camino y nada más... - Antonio Machado
For a moment there I thought you were posting on the wrong type of website...
Remember this area weekend forecast Hot Hot. We r from Salisbury and looking to do 2 nite first time out of bk yard. Was looking at tathum gap in west but 90's. Blah. Maybe more toward va nc line. But we will go to wilderness cove in a month or so to tube and camp.
Oh also haven't ckd camp around pilot mnt but that might be cool
Stone Mountain State Park......about an hour away.......Originally Posted by MrPickl
Harper's is part of Pisgah and there's a lot of places to camp right off the forest service roads. That way you'd be close to your truck and you'd actually have trees. I don't do a lot of Campground camping, but what I remember is that they ask you to stay on a platform, so bring a stand just in case. Otherwise you might be in your truck. Good luck and let us know where you landed.
Crayons - they might look different, but they all taste the same
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