Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as your playground, Bryson City, North Carolina is an outdoor lover’s oasis. Whether you’ve got your sights set on exploring the majestic mountain landscapes or taking a dip in the refreshing waters of Fontana Lake, there’s plenty of natural entertainment to enjoy. As you can imagine, camping is a popular pastime in these parts, and there are a few backcountry campsites that we’d highly recommend for an epic weekend of outdoor fun. These campsites in North Carolina are so hidden, few people know they exist which means you very well could have the site all to yourself!
For the ultimate weekend warrior, there's no better adventure than exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Don't let this photo fool you; this lake is huge! It clocks in at about 17 miles wide, and while the average depth of the lake hovers around 135 feet, it has a maximum depth of over 400 feet!
There are several backcountry campsites peppered around the north side of the lake, and this waterway becomes the main highway when searching for backcountry campsites.
These campsites in North Carolina are extremely remote, so keep that in mind when packing! They're only accessible via hiking in from the Lakeshore Trail or by paddling to them. And it's worth the extra effort.
Each campsite is different, but all of them are lakefront and come with stunning views like this. Since these backcountry campsites are so remote, you very well could have the place to yourself!
During the day, lace up your boots and hit the trails.
The 33-mile Lakeshore Trail is a great trail to start, and it’s also the trail that offshoots to these backcountry campsites if you don’t want to take a boat or a kayak to your site.
As you wander along the trail, take in the sights and sounds of the landscape and keep an eye out for any wildlife sightings along the way! Of course, the iconic Road to Nowhere Tunnel is a must-see.
Get that campfire going and break out the marshmallows!
These campsites require a permit, which you can snag on the National Park Service website.
The North Shore region of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park really is incredible. Be sure to check out this North Shore guide for additional information about things to do and what to know before your visit.
For more information about all of the amazing adventures you can have in Bryson City, check out the tourism website and start making plans today!
