Stuck in NC

“I'm new to the whole camping deal but pretty experienced with backpacking. The other day my wife and I decided to try camping out after hiking some new trails. We looked around online for some good trails and camping and ended up in Carolina Beaches. It sucked.

The backpacking wasnt bad, but the camping sucked. How is it camping when you park your car two feet away, your "neighbor" has one of those ridiculous 3 story tents, & when you get hungry you walk 7 feet to Wal Mart to pick up some hot dogs. Thats how it was.

Now, like I said. This was the first time I went camping and I have already come to realize that State Parks are not the way to go. So, I have one question...

Where do I go to actually enjoy an awesome nature hike, with no rules attached as to how I dispose of trash, eat food, etc (because that should all be common sense to an outdoorsman), where I can just set up a tent wherever I please, stay a night or two, then hike some more?

If all you have is a general explanation of places to go, then that is fine -- I prefer to find places myself after this experience anyway. But, if you actually know some decent places...I'm from Jacksonville, NC -- right outside of Camp Lejeune. If you have destinations a couple of hours away, that is fine; I can plan a weekend. But I like to just up and go sometimes and being in the Marines "up-and-going" a couple hours away may not work because the Marien Corps doesnt really take lightly to "being late."

Anyway help would be appreciated.”

“You may want to check out the Croatan National Forest near Morehead City. There are some hiking trails in that area. The Neusiok trail is about 20 miles. It's part of the Mountains to the Sea trail. I have hiked there 3 times. It's relatively easy but be prepared for some boggy conditions, especially after a hard rain. There are a few shelters on the trail and lots of places to tent.
Also you may want to check out the Uwharrie National Forest, near Asheboro. There are a lot of trails in that area and there are a few primitive campgrounds that are connected to the trails, so you can choose almost any option of how you want to do it.”

“I'm not familiar with the Camp Lejeune area, but I think you'd be much happier with National Forests.... both the regular campgrounds for car camping or for checking out the trails.   Most of the ones I'm familiar with are to the west near Brevard and Standing Indian.

Here in Georgia the state park campgrounds are just like that: just about doorhandle-to-doorhandle.   The campgrounds at lakes run by the Corps of Engineers are MUCH nicer.   The campsites are like 100 feet apart (sometimes further) with lots of trees and bushes in-between.”

“Take one of your three or four day weekends and come over to Western NC. There is a place off the Blue Ridge Parkway that is call the Wilson Creek Wilderness. Not only is it very far waway from civilization but there are lots of camping options!

Option 1: Mortimer Campground. It is infact a state owned campground but it's very remote and nobody will bother you. Your not supposed to drink there but not a word will be saud!

Option 2: There is a number of road side spots you can just pull into and camp.This area is all dirt/gravel raods.

Option 3:Linville Gorge Wilderness. My favorite place in the world besides Alaska.Lots of places to camp along the Kistler Memorial Hwy (gravel Road)but you HAVE tyo camp at least 200 ft away from the trailheads!There are some Awesome trails there and beautiful views and you can take a swim in the Linville River before you head back up!”

“stay away we have enough people over here lol”

“Moonshine! Give me a call!828-447-3187!”