Hammock camping in NC

[Tenshi]

What are the best places to hammock camp in NC that are nice and secluded and don't cost anything?

[brianb]

Linville gorge, but the hiking is no joke. Which part of the state are you targeting?

[TallPaul]

Find your nearest national forest - Pisgah, Uwharrie, etc.

[Silverpalm2x]

yep national forest is the way to go. I went to a $ campground this weekend with my family and so missed the seclusion of Uwharrie even at a group hang it is more secluded!

[Tim_807]

Find your nearest national forest - Pisgah, Uwharrie, etc.

Pisgah, is nice. In some areas you are allowed to just camp in the forest off of the forest service roads.

[PappyAmos]

From Charlotte you have easy access to the Uwharries to your east and the bigger mountains to your west.
I tend to go to the Uwharries mostly because they are 3 hours away vs 6 hours+ to the Blue Ridge.

The Uwharrie Trail from hwy 24/27 TH to the Jumping Off Rock trail head ~20 miles to the north is very busy Friday through Sunday. You can still find good places to camp a little down stream from many of the crossings though. Being retired I tend to go mid-week. Rarely see anyone.

The northern stretch starting just the other side if the bridge from Jumping Off Rock parking area is more interesting and has much less traffic. I stopped at this TH for a few minutes last Saturday on my way home. A truck load of young folks pulled in. They mentioned coming often. I asked if they were headed north or south. They replied "south! Didn't know the trail went north!" This section has been open again for a year or so. The USFS bulletin board at that TH still doesn't mention the trail going north! It goes several miles north from there. Fewer hikers and fewer ready made campsites. As always along the UT, the streams are often down to a trickle if it hasn't rained recently. Copperheads and rattlesnakes are in the area although I have never seen one.

You might want to PM Firebird for info. He knows a lot about the Uwharries. TallPaul has hiked all over the area including the State Parks. Both guys have hiking videos on YouTube.

Pappy

[gunner76]

The Neusiok Trail down here on the coast in the Croatan.....www.neusioktrail.org

[Tenshi]

Linville gorge, but the hiking is no joke. Which part of the state are you targeting?

I'm completely fine with a lot of hiking, actually prefer it. The further away from daily life, the better. As far as what part of the state, either mountains or piedmont area.

[Tenshi]

From Charlotte you have easy access to the Uwharries to your east and the bigger mountains to your west.
I tend to go to the Uwharries mostly because they are 3 hours away vs 6 hours+ to the Blue Ridge.

The Uwharrie Trail from hwy 24/27 TH to the Jumping Off Rock trail head ~20 miles to the north is very busy Friday through Sunday. You can still find good places to camp a little down stream from many of the crossings though. Being retired I tend to go mid-week. Rarely see anyone.

The northern stretch starting just the other side if the bridge from Jumping Off Rock parking area is more interesting and has much less traffic. I stopped at this TH for a few minutes last Saturday on my way home. A truck load of young folks pulled in. They mentioned coming often. I asked if they were headed north or south. They replied "south! Didn't know the trail went north!" This section has been open again for a year or so. The USFS bulletin board at that TH still doesn't mention the trail going north! It goes several miles north from there. Fewer hikers and fewer ready made campsites. As always along the UT, the streams are often down to a trickle if it hasn't rained recently. Copperheads and rattlesnakes are in the area although I have never seen one.

You might want to PM Firebird for info. He knows a lot about the Uwharries. TallPaul has hiked all over the area including the State Parks. Both guys have hiking videos on YouTube.

Pappy

Sounds like what I'm looking for. I prefer minimalistic camping. Really not so into the pre-made campsite type approach. And I'm looking to get away from a lot of other people on this trip. It just seems so hard to find somewhere to go camp that isn't in close proximity to someone's house, or a road, or a town. Was starting to wonder if wilderness even existed anymore.

[Tenshi]

So, to those who have experienced them all, which of the 4 national forests do you prefer? I'm leaning towards Pisgah, but was curious as to what you guys opinions were and why.