Mortimer Campground
Mortimer Campground is a small campground nestled within the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Corridor south of Grandfather Mountain. Located at the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp, the 17-site campground is surrounded by lush forests, gentle streams, and a large scenic river popular for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 16 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
Site guide
17 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 2 | Lower | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 3 | Lower | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 4 | Lower | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 5 | Lower | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 6 | Upper | Tent only | 18 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 7 | Upper | Tent only | Back-in | 41 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 8 | Upper | Tent only | Back-in | 51 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 9 | Upper | Tent only | Back-in | 58 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Upper | Tent only | Back-in | 42 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $20.00 per night per campsite. $30.00 for group site (12G). |
The campground provides a variety of campsites. There is an upper and lower loop. The lower loop features 5 tent-only walk-in sites with a central parking lot. The upper loop includes 14 fully accessible, barrier free sites which can accommodate small RVs up to 35ft. Most sites include a tent pad, picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring. Flush toilets, hot showers, running water, and bear-proof trash and recycling receptacles are provided. A Campground host is on site to provide visitor assistance.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Temporarily closed |
| Season | March 31 to October 31 |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Booking | Reservation only through www.recreation.gov |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Nearest town | Collettsville, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.9911° N, 81.7613° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx - Stone Mountain
32 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters ↗ | 11 mi |
| RV sales & service | General Rv Repair, LLC ↗ | 17.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
“Mortimer Campground Walkthrough(Lower Loop): Tent Camping in the NC Mountains!”
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miSchoolhouse Ridge3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miBill Vines0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miThorpes Creek0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miEstes Mill3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miHarper Creek ↗6.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miYellow Buck2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Linville Gorge Wilderness begins about 8.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.6 miLinville Gorge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 11,653 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Markham–Albertson–Stinson CottageBuilding · Nags Head · 8 mi
- Gragg HouseBuilding · Blowing Rock · 8.7 mi
- Crossnore Presbyterian ChurchBuilding · Crossnore · 9.6 mi
Natural features
Located in a rich mountain hardwood forest at an elevation of 1,400 ft. Mortimer Campground provides a secluded streamside setting shaded by large hemlocks and pine trees. Thorps Creek runs along the east side of the campground before feeding into the Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek, a popular destination for a variety of activities. Hardwood forests cover the mountain peaks on either side of the valley and multiple mountain feeder creeks can be found nearby. The Mortimer area provides beautiful scenery year-round, from stunning fall foliage displays to abundant spring and summer wildflowers.
Recreation
Visitors to the campground can enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, day hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, picnicking, and scenic driving. Swimming holes along Thorps Creek provide wading opportunities on hot summer days. Nearby Wilson Creek, designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 2000, is well known for its excellent trout fishing, swimming, kayaking, and rugged features. History buffs will enjoy exploring the remnants of the once booming timber town of Mortimer as well as an old CCC work center. Two Forest Service trails depart from the campground. The Thorps Creek trail provides a short (approx. 1/4 mile) hike to Thorps Creek Falls. The more strenuous Schoolhouse Ridge Trail connects to the campground via the.2 mile Bill Vines trail and provides a 3 mile ridgeline excursion with beautiful views before connecting to the Wilson Ridge Trail. Many other Forest Service trails are within a short drive of the Campground, including Hunt Fish Falls, North Harper Creek Falls, and Little Lost Cove Cliffs. The area also boasts a network of scenic mountain biking trails.
Nearby
The Wilson Creek Visitor Center is 3.2 miles from the Mortimer Campground and provides information on the Wilson Creek area and has a photograph and artifact collection that tells the history of the area. The towns of Blowing Rock and Morganton are located within an hour’s drive of the campground, to the north and south respectively. Both towns offer a variety of restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and medical facilities. The Julian Price Memorial Park and Campground is located 24 miles north of Mortimer Campground and is a well-known destination for hiking, canoeing, fishing, and camping. Mortimer Campground is 21 miles away from Linville Falls, and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. The Gorge offers breathtaking views and numerous hiking trails. The Campground is 17 miles from the popular Grandfather Mountain State Park, the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Guidebooks for North Carolina
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea TrailFriends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Jim Grode, 2020Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Mortimer Campground?
Sites at Mortimer Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservation only through www.recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Mortimer Campground?
$20.00 per night per campsite. $30.00 for group site (12G).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Mortimer Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Mortimer Campground open right now?
Temporarily closed as of Oct 16, 2026. Season March 31 to October 31.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Mortimer Campground have?
17 sites, including 16 tent-only sites and 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Mortimer Campground?
Mortimer Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Mortimer Campground?
Flush toilets, hot showers, running water, and bear-proof trash and recycling receptacles are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Mortimer Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mortimer Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mortimer Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Mortimer Campground?
Visitors to the campground can enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, day hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, picnicking, and scenic driving. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Mortimer Campground?
Collettsville, North Carolina. The Wilson Creek Visitor Center is 3.2 miles from the Mortimer Campground and provides information on the Wilson Creek area and has a photograph and artifact collection that tells the history of the area.
Source: Getting there
What if Mortimer Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Boone Fork Campground (8.2 mi, first-come), Linville Falls Campground (9.7 mi, partly first-come), and Julian Price Campground (10.4 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby