Mountain camping · Tennessee & North Carolina
Roan Highlands (Carvers Gap)
Sunrise camping on the Appalachian grassy balds
SettingMountain
StatesTennessee & North Carolina
Best seasonSummer & fall
ReserveFirst-come backcountry (USFS; AT shelters & balds)
A run of open, grassy “balds” along the Appalachian Trail on the Tennessee–North Carolina line, with 360-degree ridgeline views and some of the best sunrise camping in the East. In mid-June the slopes flush pink with wild rhododendron.
Don’t missSunrise from Round or Jane Bald
RVs & rigsTent / backpack only (no RVs)
What’s here
- Grassy Ridge Bald
- Rhododendron bloom (June)
- Appalachian Trail
- Ridgeline sunrises
Plan around it
Reservation windows, fees, and seasonal/road closures change — confirm with the managing agency (Recreation.gov, the state park system, or the forest/BLM office) before you go, and check fire restrictions and pack-it-out rules, especially for free dispersed sites.
Build a trip around a camp like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: