NC or TN Trails with Camping

Taking the youngling to see the grandparents in upstate SC mid-June and plan to do some exploring and camping with the 4runner while I'm away. I've explored a lot of SC trails already and wanted to head into the mountains of NC or TN and looking for recommendations.

From the little bit of research I've done, looks like Brown Mountain OHV could be a winner but can't find their maps or whether they are currently open on the forest service site. I'm curious if they're closed due to Helene and/or the wildfires from earlier this year.

Hurricane Creek/Uwharrie also sounds like a good option but haven't looked to see if camping is available (looking for dispersed/primitive where I can just setup wherever I feel like stopping).

Haven't checked TN yet. Anyone have recommendations or opinions they'd like to share?

 

Bump. Been looking at trails in Cherokee National Forest. Still looking for ideas and experiences before I plan a trip out this weekend

 

I believe I stayed in CNF last June, we did a week in the smokies and camped in a different spot each night.

 

I live 20 miles from Uwharrie and the only downside is the primitive sites start filling up pretty quick this time of year and the further down the trail you go for additional camp sites the trail gets more difficult. The side by sides over the last couple of years have kinda taken over with their increase in popularity plus the fact you can now register them for street around here.
Just remember to get you OHV trail pass as it is patrolled fairly good this day and time.

https://www.montgomerycountync.gov/visit/uwharrie-national-forest/ohvatvdirt-bike-info

 

Damascus and around there might fit your bill. Plenty off the highway parking and camping in the Cherokee NF. Hardly any traffic. Backbone Rock is close and pretty damn cool. The Appalachian trail is there with lots of water to cool down. Around the Tennessee lakes you're going to need reservations, pretty far in advanced.
Don't know of any 4 wheeling trails, if that's what you're asking.

 

Youngling — you crack me up. Do you make him wear a tiny junior Jedi braid?

 

Did you need to reserve sites or did you have an easy time finding open spots? Looks like no dispersed camping in the national forests but there are several campgrounds in the area.

Thanks for the heads up. After looking at a bunch of maps and trying to plan something out, I think im going to stick further west and just hit up a few national forests and such (Pisguh, Cherokee). I may not find good offroading without an OHV park but I'll settle for gravel forest roads if I must. Finally found a map for Brown Mountain so will try to hit that up.

Thanks, I'll look up Damascus on the map as I plan routes. I just upgraded GAIA so I could download offline maps with USFS Recreation sites so will try to plan my campgrounds in the middle of nowhere when possible. I think gravel forest roads are probably all im going to find unless I hit up Brown Mountain OHV.

It's a girl! I haven't had her in full Jedi mode yet but we had fun building her first lightsaber at Disney last month. It's on display in my office, which she isn't too happy about, but I know it will be safe there



Thanks for the info everyone - i downloaded offline maps of pretty much the entire Appalachian area with all of the parks in TN and NC. Let the planning begin!

 

That is an excellent geek shrine! My daughter. 20 years ago. Going up against the big guy. She grew out if being a geek. I never did.

 

We didn’t reserve anything, I’d have to look at some maps to remember where we stayed, but some were dispersed and others were campground like, no hook ups, vault/outhouse, self check in stuff.

 

Have the same one in my arsenal!

 

Fearless - i love it!

 

For anyone interested, I ended up at Windrock OHV in TN. Lots of good trails, although i find their definition of "moderate" is different than mine. Explored for about 3.5 hours today, will go back out tomorrow