There are many great campgrounds and RV resorts in the state of North Carolina, but not all of them remain open during the winter months. The camping season in North Carolina usually runs from April to October. With more and more people living full time in their campers, it’s important to find year-round campgrounds. North Carolina does have some year-round campgrounds, I will feature 10 of the best in this post.
NOTE: Some campgrounds may close their facilities(bathhouse) and turn off the water during cold weather, while others may allow you to attach a heated water hose.
** It’s important to remember that if you are going to attach to their water pipe, you will need to winterize your camper after you are done camping to remove the excess water from the lines and avoid frozen or cracked pipes.** See winterizing tips at the end of this post
To Camp or Not to Camp
You may be thinking that it’s too cold to camp and what is there to do? Well, I’m here to give you some ideas. If you love camping, it’s hard to put away your camper for the winter. It could be your favorite way to relax and vacation, you should be able to camp year-round! Each of these camping locations has great restaurants, shopping, museums, and other indoor attractions. For those that don’t mind the cold, you can bundle up and enjoy all that winter has to offer!
However, if you live in one of our colder, northern states, you won’t find many year-round campgrounds. I know because I was born and raised in Wisconsin!
You always have the option of heading south or waiting for Spring!
In this Post, I will highlight 10 Year-round campgrounds that I have found in North Carolina.
10 Great Year–round campgrounds in NC
Carrollwoods RV Park, Tabor City NC
Water’s Edge RV Park, Newport NC
Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground, Rodanthe NC
The Peace Valley KOA campground near Murphy NC is a great place to camp! Surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains and with Valley River running through it, you will find that it is a very peaceful place to camp. They are open year-round and are pet-friendly! The campground is located just minutes from the small town of Murphy NC, where you will find great shopping, attractions, and restaurants!
Also, the natural beauty of this area provides lots of places to explore!
Valley River
The campground is located at 117 Happy Valley Road, Marble NC. Which is about 53 miles southwest of Cherokee NC and 107 miles west of Asheville NC. The Georgia state line is about 25 miles to the south.
If you take the drive from Cherokee to Murphy on Hwy 74, you will drive through the Nantahala National Forest and along the Nantahala River. The Nantahala River is famous for its whitewater rafting, as well as, the Nantahala Outdoor Center(NOC). If you have time, you may want to try some whitewater rafting! If not, you can just stop along the way to watch the rafters and kayakers traveling down the river.
The NOC is just 30 miles from the Peace Valley/Murphy KOA. It would be fun to spend a day on the Nantahala River and then return to your campsite for an evening campfire.
Are you ready to get the camper out? How about some Spring Camping? It really depends on what part of the country you live in. If you are in a warmer, southern state, you may be camping now. If you live in a colder, northern state, your camper is probably locked up tight with a tarp on top.
NOTE: When I use the term camper, I am talking about RVs, travel trailers, pop-ups, and motor homes.
I know some die-hard campers who continue camping, rain or shine, Winter or Summer. They even camp in the snow! We prefer it a little warmer, so Spring is a great time to camp! Although, some campgrounds are not open year-round. This post will give you information on where to find campgrounds that are open for Spring camping. Even though we have a travel trailer, a lot of this information will be useful to tent campers as well.
Be aware that the statistics say that camping is up about 39% from last Spring, so book early!
Our Camper
NOTE: While COVID is still with us, some campgrounds may have limited capacity, activities, and facilities.
Good Sam Club benefits
Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground – A Good Sam’s Camp
There are a few good resources to help you find the perfect campground. If you join the Good Sam Club, not only will you get a discount on camping fees and gas, you will receive the annual Good Sam Campground Guide. This Guide has thousands of campgrounds listed and it’s divided by state. They provide a rating for each campground, as well as valuable campground information. I think if you use this book alone, you will have an endless supply of camping opportunities Nationwide! Good Sam Club also has an app. that you can download which works great!
Discount on Fuel & Camping fees(At Good Sam Campgrounds)
Online Trip Planner
Good Sam Mail Service
Passport America
With Passport America, for a small annual fee, you will receive 50% off on your camping fees at specific campgrounds Nationwide. This works great if you are traveling and need a campsite for a night or two. We used this while traveling back from Wisconsin to North Carolina. Our camping fees have been as low as $15/night! I downloaded the Passport America app., then searched by the city to find a campground. When you find the campground, you need to pay attention to the individual rules for Passport America. Some will only let you stay a few nights, and others limit your stay during certain times of the year. All in all, we love Passport America, it has saved us a ton of money.
KOA Value Kard
The office at KOA Lynchburg campground
The KOA Value Kard gives you a 10% discount off your campground fees at KOA campgrounds, and reward points that accumulate for cash off future stays. They also provide free camping during Value Kard Rewards Appreciation Weekend. It’s a good value at only $33/annually. You will also receive the KOA campground directory, which is a valuable source to locate KOA campgrounds Nationwide. You may enjoy reading about the KOA in Lynchburg, VA
Phone apps
If you download a few good phone apps, that will be all you need to locate the perfect campground.
Good Sam Campgrounds
KOA Campgrounds
Passport America
Park Advisor
Park Advisor
I think Park Advisor is my favorite app for finding a campground. You can look at the United States map and zoom in on an area you are interested in, then you will find red stick pins indicating a campground or RV resort. When you click on the red stick pin, you will see details about the campground, including their name, address, phone number, amenities, photos, and access to their website(if they have one). You will even see the campground rating and reviews. If you zoom in further, you can find gas stations, rest areas, stores, and more!
NOTE: We tow a Travel Trailer so I am usually looking for campgrounds and RV resorts. Although, most of these will accommodate tent campers as well. I use an android phone so these apps are compatible with android phones.
If you don’t own a camper or RV, why not consider renting one from RV Share. They have a variety to choose from and you can find one where you live. COVID is still with us, and traveling can be risky, but in a camper, you have more control over safety precautions.
Fall is a great time to go camping! Since this year’s Camping Season started during the “Sheltering at Home” phase, a lot of campgrounds were closed. Once they reopened, part of the Camping Season was already over! Most of us have not been able to camp as much as we would in a “normal” year. That’s what makes camping this Fall especially appealing!
Some of us have tried to camp in our own backyards, with tents and campfires. That can be fun, but there’s nothing like hitting the road with your camper in tow!
Depending on what state you live in, the camping season can last into October or even later. A lot of KOA campgrounds are open year-round! I live in North Carolina, and for me, camping in July and August is too hot! We are forced to stay inside our air-conditioned camper, which isn’t much fun. We are not able to do the things that make camping so enjoyable!
In the Fall, you can get outside and do some of these fun things;
Campfires on a crisp Fall evening
A walk through the woods with the leaves turning colors
Campground Fall events
Watching football on an outside TV
Apple Picking
Hay Rides
Halloween parties/trick or treat
Camping in October
A great place to camp
If you enjoy Autumn, it can be a great time for a getaway before winter sets in. Years ago, when I first started camping, we had a small 4-person tent. After many years of camping in rainy & cold weather, and waking up to a wet sleeping bag, we bought our first used travel trailer. I have never gone back to tent camping, but I can see why some people would prefer it. The cost of camping is lower, and you don’t have to get a special vehicle(truck) to pull your camper. It’s much easier to be spontaneous when tent camping.
When searching for a campground in Fall, you may find a limited number of campgrounds that are open after October 1st, especially in the Northern states. Please check ahead before heading to the campground. Here is a list of 5 different states and a variety of campgrounds open into October and later;
*NOTE: With COVID still around, some of these campgrounds may not have Fall/Halloween events this year – Please check the campground website for further information*
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