By:
Submission
Camping - Primitive and require a hike in of 1.5 miles
Please note that fees and permits are required for all overnight stays, including backcountry camping.
Backcountry campers must make a reservation online or by calling 1-877-722-6762 before setting up at a campsite. Campers can make same-day reservations up until 9:00pm the day of your arrival. Upon arrival, use the self-check-in through the Reserve America Camping App.
Site
*ATTENTION BACKCOUNTRY CAMPERS* Please be advised that these sites will ONLY accomodate a maximum of 6 people. If your group has more than 6 people, additional sites will need to be reserved.
Sink gratefully into your sleeping bag after a day of hiking at South Mountains and fall asleep in the stillness of the forest.
Twenty-four backpack camping sites are offered in seven areas of the park.
Permit and fees are required to camp overnight. Please visit the visitor center prior to hiking to your campsite to fill out the permit and pay the fees. A kiosk outside the visitor center allows campers to register and pay the fees if they arrive when the visitor center is closed.
These sites are designated on the park map, and hiking distances to each backpack camping site vary. Each camping area has a pit toilet located nearby.
All supplies, including water, must be packed to the sites. To drink water from nearby creeks and streams, use a filtration device or boil the water for at least five minutes.
Below is a listing of the backpack campsites and the distance between the campsites and the Jacob Fork parking area:
Upper Falls – 1.4 miles
1.5 MILE HIKE TO CAMPSITES
Maximum group size of 6 people per site.
At the park office, back country campers must record the tag numbers of all vehicles left overnight.
Water can be found most of the year in a nearby stream. Water must be filtered prior to use.
Fires only in fire ring.
A North Carolina State fishing license (basic) and the special trout fishing license are required to fish. Licenses are not sold at the park.
Please arrive a minimum of 1 hour prior to sunset to allow time to get to the camping area before dark.
North Carolina State park rules and regulations are posted in each park and enforced by rangers. Violating these rules and regulations is a misdemeanor and may result in a fine and revocation of permit.
Alcoholic beverages, firearms (including fireworks) and other weapons are prohibited. Campers with a proper permit may possess a concealed handgun in permitted areas.
Park Hours: November -- 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM; December through February -- 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM; March, April and October -- 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM; May through September 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Pets are allowed except in park buildings. They must be on a leash no longer than six feet and cannot be left unattended.
Posted quiet hours are enforced.
Building fires in undesignated areas is prohibited.
Unlicensed vehicles and motorcycles, golf carts, ATVs and mini-bikes are prohibited with the exception of mobility-aid devices used by a mobility-impaired person. All vehicles are prohibited from walkways, trails and other areas not designated for such purposes.
State vehicle and traffic laws are enforced, and the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.
North Carolina State parks are wildlife sanctuaries. No hunting is allowed and collecting plants, minerals and artifacts is prohibited. State fishing regulations are enforced.
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
Backcountry Permit Required: get this at the visitor's center
A $3 reservation fee is also charged
Easy to Moderate difficult campground to access. You can reach via one of two ways: a) High Shoal Falls, which is largely a long stairway with rails (helpful if you're carrying a large bag), or b) the loop that goes around the falls, which is also a long rocky stairway. If you can make it to High Shoal Falls, you will have no difficulty in getting to the campground.
All sites either border or are a very short walk to get water.
#1 - Immediately to your left when you walk in and borders the creek.
#2 - Straight back, borders creek.
#3 - Straight back, borders creek.
#4 - Back right, very secluded, borders creek.
#5 - Back right, least secluded, doesn't border creek, near bathroom.
Was a simple 1.5 mile hike in. Pre-registration required and check-in to receive vehicle tag must be done at the visitor center which opens at 8 am (gate opens at 7 am). The woman who registered me recommended taking the back path avoiding the falls because of all the stairs (following the sign to upper falls campground), but I figured I'd prefer the more scenic route past High Shoal Falls. Took it slowly but the stairs were no issue with my pack. Only short, steep sections. I ended up hiking the alternate route later during my stay and 0/10 would not recommend. It was nothing but a horribly long and steep slog uphill. The stairs are better.
The campsite itself has two privies with (maybe) TP and hand sanitizer, and a bear locker. There are six sites total, mine was site 5, the furthrest from the river (~100 ft). Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Good distance between the sites so very quiet.
If arriving after hours, pick up a tag from visitor center and sign in. Parking is about a mile from the visitor center. There are two trails to get to the campsite (high shoals loop). We took the trail to the left as it follows the waterfall up. There are more stairs but the views are better. The trail is relatively flat before and after the climb up the stairs. The campground has two pit toilets and a creek for water access. There is also a picnic table and fire ring at each site. About 5 sites in total. I recommend the hike to chestnut knob while visiting - views shown in pictures above.
