The Best Places to Camp in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina

There are so many places to visit and explore in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest, located on half a million acres surrounding Asheville. While driving through the Pisgah National Forest to get to the Blue Ridge Highway you will find yourself on one of the nicest drives in one of the most natural places in North Carolina. There are a lot of places you can choose to camp at while hiking along over 100 miles of trails through the mountains and valleys. The Pisgah National Forest is also home to numerous beautiful waterfalls with water you can swim in or fish from, scenic nature hikes and caves you can explore.

A hiking vacation with your family is also a great way for children to explore the earth around them, nature, science and animal life. You will find on your journey through the Great Smokey Mountains region that just about anywhere is the best place to stay if you plan to camp out on your vacation. Here are just a few of the best camping spots in the Pisgah National Forest. The websites included in this article will provide directions to these spots.

Linville Gorge -

Located in the heart of 12,000 acres of the Pisgah National Forest, Linville Gorge is famous for its extensive hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls and swimming areas and rock walls for climbers. Experienced backpackers and campers will enjoy the challenge of the rugged terrain and over 100 miles of trails, while hikers on vacation with their family will enjoy the simple trails that are easy for adults and kids to travel on. For climbers take a day trip down to Table Rock and climb Solar Plexus or Indecent Exposure.

Camping in Linville Gorge is available anywhere in the forest and off the trails. Camping sites are primitive and do not offer any type of hook up for electronics or lights. While camping here make your way 2,000 feet down to the actual Linville Gorge and hike the 12 miles along the flowing water.

Black Balsam Knob -

Located just outside of Asheville, North Carolina the Black Balsam Knob area of the Pisgah National Forest is famous for its spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains and scenic hiking trails. With over 75 miles of trails to follow you will find making it to the top of the 6214' summit of Black Balsam Knob easy for experienced hikers and backpackers. There are also trails families with children can follow to the top that are easier and longer. Many hikers use the Black Balsam Knob pass-way to make it to the Shining Rock Wilderness Area, Sam Knob and Tennent Mountain.

Campers experienced with camping on the Knob will tell you the best place to set up camp is on the summit where it is completely treeless due to the harsh weather conditions in the winter and has an almost alpine lie appearance. Be aware of the changing weather conditions on the summit if you plan to camp there and that camping here is primitive. Enjoy the views if you stay here, they are beautiful.

Davidson River Valley -

The Davidson River trail-head is the most popular area in the Pisgah National Forest for mountain biking, hiking, rock climbers, fishermen, naturalists, photographers and tourists camping out or taking a day hike. Voted the best National Forest recreation area in western North Carolina the Davidson River Valley offers a wide range of attractions for groups and families. Some of Pisgah's best back-country and wilderness areas can be accessed from the Davidson area as well.

With over 100 miles of trails throughout the woods many of the trails follow old road or railroad beds and have significant erosion problems. Others climb high mountain ridges and are true singletrack treads on rocky and steep trails. Camping in the areas around the trails are primitive, but you can camp or set up your RV at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard if you are looking for a camping experience with hook ups along the Davidson River.

Middle Prong Wilderness Area -

Located on 7,900 acres in the Pisgah National Forest the Middle Prong Wilderness lies west of the Shining Rock Wilderness where the Blue Ridge Parkway forms a big "U" and the Middle Prong wilderness occupies the western half of the U. This area is great for seeing wildlife such as deer, moose and other smaller creatures while exploring beautiful scenery in the Pisgah back-country area.

Hikers and campers will enjoy the high-elevation terrain in this area and crystal clear mountain streams you can use for swimming. The area is secluded and you usually won't have trouble being alone if that is what you are looking for. Camping in this area is primitive, as is most camping in the Pisgah National Forest. Access points for this part of the wilderness generally start in the Sunburst area to the North where the Middle Prong stream joins the West Fork Pigeon River. Several gravel forest service roads run along the northern edge of the Wilderness and trails entering this area start here and generally travel south to the Parkway, which provides another possible access point for these trails