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Popular North Carolina Spot Makes The Best Places To Camp In US List

I’m not really one to go camping. My dad and even my mom did so a decent amount before I was born, but that gene wasn’t passed down to me….

North carolina places to camp

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Natalia Moroz

I'm not really one to go camping. My dad and even my mom did so a decent amount before I was born, but that gene wasn't passed down to me. I remember one time I wanted to sleep in a tent in my parent's suburban backyard. So my dad set one up. And I don't think I made it 30 minutes before I heard an owl, and headed inside to my own bed. And even as a probably 4 or 5-year-old, that's still on brand with who I am now. But I have a lot of friends who love to camp and spend time in the outdoors. Whether that is camping, hiking, or other outdoor activities. So when I noticed that a place in North Carolina made it on a list of the best places to camp in the US I was intrigued.

Best Places To Camp In The US

The list comes from Yelp, and ranks 20 of the most popular camping spots in the US. According to Yelp, "This is an all-time list of the Top Campgrounds in the United States according to Yelp. We identified businesses in the campgrounds category on Yelp, then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews." And a popular spot in North Carolina came in at number 18 on this best places to camp list. Keep reading to see which one as well as a couple of the other most popular campgrounds. I mean maybe laying out underneath the stars doesn't sound that bad? But how do I avoid encounters with animals I'm not expecting to see?

The New List Of The Best Hikes In America Only Includes Two North Carolina Hikes

It was impossible to narrow down a list of the 25 best hikes in the US because there are literally hundreds of thousands of hiking trails in America. If you are looking for an epic hike, look no further. The Broke Backpacker compiled a list of 25 of the best hikes. Here are the best hikes in the United States. North Carolina made the list. Two times!

We have to disclose, that we didn't include the Appalachian Trail in our count of two. Our reason is that this hike is over 2,190 miles long and goes all the way from Georgia to Main. Check out the 25 best hikes in the United States below. When you see what North Carolina hikes made the list you might have even done them yourself.

25. Appalachian Trail, Georgia through Maine

Length: 2,190 miles (3,524 km)
Days: 4-6 months +
Best time to hike: March – October
Nearest Town: Hot Springs (you’ll pass lots of other towns on the way)

24. Mt. Washington Summit via Tuckerman’s Ravine, New Hampshire

Length: 8.4 (17 km)
Days: 1 (8-10 hours)
Best time to hike: June – September
Nearest Town: Gorham

23. Petrified Forest Loop, North Dakota

Length: 10.6 miles (17 km)
Days: 1 (7-9 hours)
Best time to hike: May – September
Nearest Town: Cripple Creek

22. Mt. Mitchell Summit, North Carolina

Length: 11.4 miles (18.3 km)
Days: 1
Best time to hike: March-November (fall colors are best in October)
Nearest Town: Asheville

21. The Long Trail, Vermont

Length: 272 (437 km)
Days: 20-39
Best time to hike: April – October
Nearest Town: Williamstown

20. Smokey Mountain National Park Section of the Appalachian Trail, Tennessee

Length: 71 (114 km)
Days: 3-4
Best time to hike: April – October
Nearest Town: Hot Springs

19. Red River Gorge Loop, Kentucky

Length: 36 miles (57.9 km)
Days: 2-3
Best time to hike: Fall
Nearest Town: Slade

18. Mount Adams South Climb, Washington

Length: 11.2 miles (18 km)
Days: 1-2
Best time to hike: May – September
Nearest Town: Trout Lake

17. Tomales Point Trail, Califonia

Length: 9.4 miles (15.1 km)
Days: 1
Best time to hike: All year!
Nearest Town: Point Reyes Station

16. Art Loeb Trail, North Carolina

Length: 30.1 miles (48.4 km)
Days: 3
Best time to hike: Spring – Fall
Nearest Town: Brevard

15. Kesugi Ridge Trail, Alaska (Denali State Park)

Length: 36.2 miles (58.3 km)
Days: 2-3
Best time to hike: July – August
Nearest Town: Anchorage

14. John Muir Trail, California

Length: 211 miles (339 km)
Days: 15-21
Best time to hike: July-September
Nearest Town: Curry Village

13. Titcomb Basin, Wyoming

Length: 28 miles (45 km)
Days: 2-3
Best time to hike: July-September
Nearest Town: Pinedale

12. Half Dome, California (Yosemite National Park)

Length: 17 miles
Days: 1 (12 hours)
Best time to hike: May-September
Nearest Town: Curry village

11. Grayson Highlands, Virginia

Length: 8.5 miles (13.6 km)
Days: 1 (5-8 hours)
Best time to hike: April-November
Nearest Town: Jefferson

10. The Narrows, Utah (Zion National Park)

Length: 5-16 miles (depending on the route)
Days: 1 (5-10 hours)/2 days
Best time to hike: May-October
Nearest Town: Springdale

9. Long’s Peak, Colorado

Length: 15 miles (24.1 km)
Days: 1 Day (12-14 hours)
Best time to hike: May – October
Nearest Town: Estes Park

8. Mauna Loa Summit, Hawaii (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)

Length: 17 miles (28 km)
Days: 1
Best time to hike: All year!
Nearest Town: Hilo

7. Cracker Lake, Montana (Glacier National Park)

Length: 12.6 miles (20 km)
Days: 1-2 days
Best time to hike: Summer
Nearest Accommodation: Many Glacier Hotels

6. The Wave, Arizona

Length: 5.2 miles (8.3km)
Days: 1 day (2-4 hours)
Best time to hike: All year
Nearest Town: Kanab

5. Kalalau Trail /Napali Coast, Hawaii

Length: 22 miles (35.4 km)
Days: 2-3
Best time to hike: All year
Nearest Town: Hanalei

4. Mount Katahdin, Maine

Length: 2.4-9 miles
Days: 1 (8-12 hours)
Best time to hike: Summer
Nearest Town: Millinocket

3. Trans-Catalina Trail, California

Length: 38.7 miles (62km)
Days: 3-5
Best time to hike: All year, (Summer is HOT AF)
Nearest Town: Avalon

2. Tonto Trail, Arizona (Grand Canyon National Park)

Length: 70 miles (113km)
Days: 4-6
Best time to hike: Spring, Fall, Winter (avoid July and August, you will melt.)
Nearest Town: Grand Canyon Village

1. Lost Coast Trail, California

Length: 24.6 miles (39.6km)
Days: 3-4
Best time to hike: All year, Fall is best.
Nearest Town: Shelter Clove

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.