Top Camping Adventures Near Dean, NC: Discover Nature's Best Getaways
Nestled just outside the charming town of Dean, NC, outdoor enthusiasts can discover a variety of camping options that cater to all preferences. For those seeking a traditional experience, tent camping enthusiasts can enjoy sites along the scenic banks of the Neuse River, where lush greenery and serene landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for a peaceful getaway. RV campers can find well-equipped campgrounds featuring full hookups and amenities like fire pits and picnic areas at nearby parks such as Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, which boasts hiking trails and stunning views of the river gorge.
For adventurers looking for a rugged experience, dispersed camping is available in the nearby Croatan National Forest, where you can set up camp among towering pines and enjoy direct access to waterways ideal for fishing and kayaking. With its mild climate and diverse wildlife, this area invites nature lovers and families to immerse themselves in the great outdoors year-round. Whether you prefer the convenience of RV parks or the tranquility of off-the-beaten-path sites, Dean, NC, offers a perfect blend of accessibility and natural beauty for all camping styles.

















Cheoah Point Cabin 2 is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 27 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,896 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cheoah Point Cabin 1 is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 27 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,896 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming, marina. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Van Hook Glade Campground is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 51 min northwest of Anderson, SC) with an elevation of 3,255 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 7 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 36 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $24.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Standing Indian Campground is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 46 min north of Gainesville, GA) with an elevation of 3,381 feet. There are a total of 77 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 74 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $75.00. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Deep Creek Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (2 hrs 20 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,800 feet. There are a total of 92 campsites including 56 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 36 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 28 feet. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, restroom, amphitheater, pay telephone. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Balsam Lake Lodge is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 20 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,654 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. Prices start at $170.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, laundry facility, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Tow String Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 13 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,118 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Willis Knob Horse Camp is located in the Chattooga River Ranger District, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (1 hr 38 min northwest of Anderson, SC) with an elevation of 1,653 feet. There are a total of 7 campsites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $40.00. Activities include horseback riding.
Smokemont Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 17 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,198 feet. There are a total of 142 campsites. The campground is open all year. 137 sites can accommodate RVs between 21 and 200 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 2 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, restroom, pay telephone, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Smokemont Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 15 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,235 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Cherry Hill Campground is located in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests (1 hr 20 min northwest of Anderson, SC) with an elevation of 2,246 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites including 9 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 19 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, flush toilets. Activities include fishing.
Gorges Campground is part of Gorges State Park in North Carolina (1 hr 35 min northwest of Greenville, SC) with an elevation of 3,268 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites including 5 cabins. The campground is open all year. 14 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $23.00 to $75.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, restroom, trash dumpster, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Whetstone Horse Camp is located in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests (1 hr 19 min northwest of Anderson, SC) with an elevation of 1,674 feet. There are a total of 18 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 105 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $15.00 to $30.00. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
Balsam Mountain Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 7 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 5,310 feet. There are a total of 43 campsites including 19 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 23 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 12 and 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom, amphitheater. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Jackrabbit Mountain Campground is located in the Tusquittee Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 29 min north of Gainesville, GA) with an elevation of 1,919 feet. There are a total of 92 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 22 and 128 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $20.00 to $40.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Round Bottom Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 32 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,162 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Devils Fork Campground is part of Devils Fork State Park in South Carolina (1 hr 10 min west of Greenville, SC) with an elevation of 1,124 feet. There are a total of 107 campsites including 24 boat sites. The campground is open all year. 57 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 13 months in advance. 57 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $31.00 to $40.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, ramada. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports.
Cassidy Bridge Primitive Camp is located in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests (1 hr 7 min northwest of Anderson, SC) with an elevation of 1,646 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Cheoah Point Campground is located in the Cheoah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 42 min south of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,000 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites including 17 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 6 sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 6 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $25.00. Some amenities include shower, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cove Creek Lower Group Camp is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (54 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,967 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $120.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Cove Creek Upper Group Camp is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (54 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,967 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $120.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Cataloochee Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 5 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,748 feet. There are a total of 7 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Lake Rabun Beach Rec Area is located in the Chattooga River Ranger District, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (1 hr 3 min northeast of Gainesville, GA) with an elevation of 1,709 feet. There are a total of 75 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 74 sites can accommodate RVs between 24 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 24 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has electric hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $75.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Cataloochee Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 4 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,610 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 38 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Tallulah Gorge Campground is part of Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia (50 min northeast of Gainesville, GA) with an elevation of 1,640 feet. There are a total of 50 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. All sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $34.00 to $37.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, restroom. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Kuykendall Group Camp is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (57 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,331 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $120.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Rattler Ford Group Campground is located in the Cheoah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 51 min south of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,076 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Max equipment length is 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $75.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Elkmont Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (1 hr 17 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,150 feet. There are a total of 211 campsites including 51 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid March to the end of November. 160 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 12 and 54 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 3 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, amphitheater, firewood, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Elkmont Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (1 hr 17 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,158 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $38.00 to $75.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Cataloochee Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 5 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,535 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $50.00 per night.