Best Tent Camping: The Carolinas

Johnny Molloy is an outdoors writer based in Johnson City, Tennessee. Born in Memphis, he moved to Knoxville in 1980 to attend the University of Tennessee. It was in Knoxville that he developed his love of the natural world, which has since become the primary focus of his life. It all started on a backpacking foray into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That first trip, though a disaster, unleashed an innate love of the outdoors that has led to his spending more than 150 nights per year, over the past 25 years, tent camping, backpacking, and canoe camping throughout the United States and abroad. In 1987, after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in economics, he continued to spend an ever-increasing amount of time in natural places, becoming more skilled in a variety of environments. Friends enjoyed his adventure stories; one even suggested he write a book. Soon he parlayed his love of the outdoors into an occupation. His efforts have resulted in almost 80 books, ranging from hiking guides to paddling guides to camping guides and to true outdoor-adventure stories. His books have covered all or part of 26 states, primarily in the East. Johnny’s Carolina books include Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Hiking North Carolina’s National Forests; 50 Hikes in South Carolina; Best Easy Day Hikes Charleston, South Carolina; and Paddling South Carolina. Johnny has also written numerous articles for magazines and websites. He continues to write and travel extensively to all four corners of the United States, pursuing a variety of outdoor interests. For the latest information about the author, visit johnnymolloy.com.

North Carolina Campground Overview Map



South Carolina Campground Overview Map



Map Legend



Acknowledgments



Preface



Best Campgrounds



Introduction



NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS






Balsam Mountain Campground
Big Creek Campground
Cable Cove Campground
Cataloochee Campground
Doughton Park Campground
Julian Price Park Campground
Lake James State Park Campgrounds
Lake Powhatan Campground
Linville Falls Campground
Mount Mitchell State Park Campground
Mount Pisgah Campground
New River State Park: Wagoner Access Campground
North Mills River Campground
Rocky Bluff Campground
Smokemont Campground
South Mountains State Park Campground
Standing Indian Campground
Sunburst Campground
Tsali Campground



NORTH CAROLINA PIEDMONT






Badin Lake Campground
Hanging Rock State Park Campground
Lake Norman State Park Campground
Morrow Mountain State Park Campground
Pilot Mountain State Park Campground



NORTH CAROLINA COAST AND COASTAL PLAIN






Carolina Beach State Park Campground
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park Campground
Frisco Campground
Goose Creek State Park Campground
Jones Lake State Park Campground
Lumber River State Park: Princess Ann Access Campground
Merchants Millpond State Park Campground
Neuse River Campground (Flanners Beach)
Ocracoke Campground



SOUTH CAROLINA UPCOUNTRY






Cherry Hill Campground
Devils Fork State Park Campground
Jones Gap State Park Campground
Keowee–Toxaway State Park Campground
Table Rock State Park Campgrounds



SOUTH CAROLINA MIDLANDS






Brick House Campground
Calhoun Falls State Park Campground
Kings Mountain State Park Campground
LeRoys Ferry Campground
Lick Fork Lake Campground
Parsons Mountain Lake Campground
Poinsett State Park Campground
Sand Hills State Forest Campground
Woods Ferry Campground



SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY






Honey Hill Campground
Huntington Beach State Park Campgrounds
Little Pee Dee State Park Campground



APPENDIX A: CAMPING EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST



APPENDIX B: SOURCES OF INFORMATION



INDEX



ABOUT THE AUTHOR