Basin Creek Camping Area

(edit 2024) all sites closed and blocked off. camping deemed unethical as the parks service is trying to let the ecosystem recover. camping here now comes with a ticket from the parks service system. The only available camping nearby is a 1.5 -1.8 miles hike in hike out now.

Me and my girlfriend stayed at one of the sites not on the water 3/6 as they were already taken upon arrival (Friday night). Of which those sites are definitely the most desired. the site we stayed at was left in decent shape it had a fire ring and plenty of space to place our tent. the site was shaded but a little close to the road and parking lot as on busy days to the trail parking over spilled into our campground. if you plan on camping here come early and grab a spot by the river. most importantly make sure you packed enough supplies the nearest store was 10 miles and wasn't fully open yet. the trail is right across the street from the campground and wasn't hard to find the beautiful waterfall and river that stretched along the trail.

the site was very easy to find

location was a little out there but easily accessible for any car

the site had its fair share of broken glass around the fire pit but wasn't a deal breaker

there is obviously no maintenance done but its free camping

noise of cars here and there at night and first thing in the morning with hiker traffic and even a bunch of horses hauled out to the trail.

We planned to stay a few nights but moved after just one. There are 4-5 spots which are all shaded, we use solar so we like to have at least partial sun. There are not fire rings, just fire piles. It seems people burn trash so they are filled with broken glass and trash. We have young children and the glass was scattered all around so it felt unsafe for them to be out and play. That said, it is near the state park and blue ridge mountains so the location is good.

I am writing this review as a 23 yr old female solo traveler. I live in my 1988 van.

Basin Creek Camping area would be a great place for non solo travelers. I say this because I was the only one who stayed overnight and I was a little scared. There is no cell service so that added another element of fear. There is a lot of trash (including cans for alcoholic beverages) along the creek and on the campsites, that made me wonder if this was a “party spot”. I had stayed at a previous campsite that was similar to this one (in regards to the litter) and had a bad experience.

I’m overly cautious but have good reason. I would have felt paranoid if I stayed over the weekend.

It is a truly beautiful area but nothing is close to this location. There is a gas station about 6 miles from basin creek and that’s about it.

Overall, I would stay here again during week days. It seems like it would be a great place for families or couples.

The Basin Creek Camping Area is a dispersed camping area within the Thurmond Chatham Game Land, Basin Creek Tract, Wilkes County, North Carolina. Enjoy free camping in North Carolina at this location up to 14 consecutive days; see North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission General Regulations under Other Restrictions. This free primitive camping area is conveniently located approximately 9 miles west of Stone Mountain State Park, NC. There is no Verizon or AT&T cellular service at this location. As an added bonus, there is a Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service Trailhead adjacent to this free camping area.