Camping
All are family friendly adventures.
Want to read a review before you go? Reviews for campgrounds in all states.
Blue Ridge Parkway Camping Also includes hiking trails.
If you like campsites that have beauty, seclusion, quiet and maybe even clean bathrooms with hot showers you would benefit from these books by Johnny Malloy that rate tent campgrounds, mostly public, some private: The Best in Tent Camping: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RV's, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos 1. Virginia, 2. West Virginia, 3. the Carolinas. Staff recommended
North Carolina
Gorges State Park Newest state park, still in development. Waterfalls, gorges, elevation rises 2,000 feet in only three miles, one of the greatest concentrations of rare and unique plant and animal species in eastern United States. Extensive hiking trails. Backpack camping, river and lake fishing, picnicking. Backpack campsites with pit toilets nearby.
Hanging Rock State Park Rock outcrops up to 2,500 feet, five waterfalls and cascades, mountain lake, access to scenic river. More than 70 tent, trailer and recreational vehicle campsites with showers; eight group tent campsites; six cabins. More than 15 miles of hiking trails, including nearly four miles of bridle trails, rock climbing. Lake swimming and fishing, rowboat and canoe rentals; boat access to nearby river. Visitor's center with exhibits, interpretive programs, three picnic shelters, historic bath house.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet, views up to 100 miles, North Carolina's first state park. Nine tent campsites, 11 miles of hiking trails. Trailheads for hikers, backpackers, equestrians using trail system on adjacent U.S. Forest Service lands. Exhibit hall, gift shop interpretive programs. Two picnic shelters, restaurant. Another Mt. Mitchell link. Link 3.
National Forests in North Carolina camping and recreation information.
Pilot Mountain State Park One of the state's signature landmarks, peregrine falcon habitat, scenic river access. Nearly 50 tent, trailer and recreational vehicle campsites, showers; two canoe-in campsites; one group tent campsite. Ten miles of hiking trails, including seven miles of bridle trails, rock climbing. River fishing, canoe access, interpretive programs, picnic shelter.
South Mountains State Park Rock outcroppings up to 3,000 feet, 80-foot waterfall. More than 40 miles of hiking trails, including 29 miles of bridle trails and 18-mile bicycling trail. Eleven tent campsites, 20 backpack campsites, four group backpack campsites, 15 equestrian campsites with 37-stall barn. Stream fishing, picnic shelter, interpretive programs.
Stone Mountain State Park Rock dome rising 700 feet above valley floor, waterfalls, Blue Ridge Mountain overlooks. Historic sites, exhibits, interpretive programs. Nearly 40 tent, trailer and recreational vehicle campsites, showers, dump station; six backpack campsites; five group tent campsites. Two picnic shelters, more than 12 miles of hiking trails, including six-mile bridle trail. Rock climbing, stream fishing.
Yurt curious? OK, not exactly camping, but if you've wondered what all this talk about yurts is, maybe you should try this yurt at Campfire Lodgings in Asheville. They also have regular campsites.
Tennessee
Roan Mountain State Park 2,006 acres at the base of 6,285-foot Roan Mountain. Thirty cabins and 107 campsites. 12 miles of hiking trails, and close to several other trails like the Appalachian Trail. More east Tennessee parks.
Virginia
Breaks Interstate Park The Grand Canyon of the South. Hiking, biking, horsebackriding, swimming, rafting, cottages and campgrounds.
Cavitt's Creek Park on Lake Jack Witten in Tazewell.
Deer Trail Park and Campground, with mountain views and a creek and fishing pond. Wytheville, 276-228-3636.
Douthat State Park There is some very nice camping on the little lake and in the woods, and there are cabins throughout the park as well. Wonderful hiking and moutain biking trails, most are shared, but at least one is just for hikers. Lake beach and boat rental. See if you can spot the albino squirrel. The last place we saw it was in the picnic area below the dam. Staff recommended
Meadows of Dan Campground, with cabins, tents and RV hookups.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park Although the campsites are not actually on the water (some of the cabins are) the state park beach (open memorial day to labor day) and boat ramps are just a short bike ride down the state park road. You can also buy lunch and rent some boats at the beach. Or bring your own boat. With 500 miles of shoreline, you will not run out of places to explore. There are also some nice, short hiking trails, great for kids and the reluctant hiker. The Chestnut Ridge trail loop, on the left on the way to the visitor center, made an especially good introductory two-mile mountian biking trail for a cub scout outing. The visitor center has a nice view and a display of moonshine stills. Staff recommended
Grayson Highlands State Park This state park is nestled in one of the most spectacular areas of Virginia, if not the entire country, the 117,000-acre Mount Rogers Recreation Area. the campground is popular but makes for very nice family car camping, as long as you remember to make your reservation far in advance. You must visit Massie's Gap and hike up the Rhododendron and A.T. to Rhododendron Gap. It is a rocky, but not too strenuous hike with incredible views for most of it and wild ponies grazing the area. There are also some very nice trails that lead right out of the campground through rhododendron to creeks. This place would even keep the interest of easily bored teens. Johnny Malloy wrote a good book about tthe area that includes hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding trails and many other campgrounds. Staff recommended
Lake Moomaw We discussed keeping this one a secret...If you like to camp by water, this is the place. Campsites are on the shore of a gorgeous 2530-acre lake that is surrounded by a 13,428-acre wildlife management area within a national forest (in other words, an unspoiled lake). Some of the campgrounds are developed (with hot showers), some are more primitive. There is even a swimming beach and beautiful picnic areas with beach volleyball courts. If you like to kayak, this lake has islands, inlets and beaches to explore. It would take you several days of serious paddling to explore all of it. There is also a marina for motor boats. Here's the beautiful part: Even on their busiest weekend of the year (4th of July weekend) there was just a scattering of motor boats on the largest part of the lake. A good place to bike (with a hybrid or mountain bike) is along the dirt/small gravel road that follows the cascading Jackson River north. (At the T north of the lake, take route 603 to the right, past the marina. There is a large parking area where the paved road ends. Park here and ride north. Very little car traffic on this road.) There are over 120 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. If you are hankering for a good meal, head to Hot Springs to the Sam Snead Tavern. Make sure you visit The Homestead while you are there. You won't want to eat there unless you packed a suit and tie with your camping gear. The campsites do fill up around holidays, but at the moment they are first-come-first served. By this winter, they will be by reservation. Call ahead just to make sure: 540-839-2521. Staff recommended
Shenandoah National Park has 5 campgrounds.
For backcountry camping, or camping without bath houses, check out the A.T., George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, as well as the above mentioned Mount Rogers Recreation Area.
West Virginia
Red Creek Campground is the only developed campground in the Dolly Sods Scenic Area (see hiking), with 12 primitive campsites.
If you are looking for something to do with younger kids, look throughout the listings for the family friendly adventure notes.
Staff recommended means we, or members of our families, have experienced this first hand.
