Bandits Roost Campground, NC

Gail was visiting her sister, in central New York, so Terra and I decided to check out a never before visited campground in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western NC, less than 2 hours drive from home.  This was to be a recon mission for future exploration. There are 3 US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds on (or near) W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and after careful research, I decided to stay at Bandits Roost Campground first and check out the others while in the area.

What a great place, easy access off highway 421 in Wilkesboro, NC, hidden in the foothills on a beautiful 1,500-acre lake (actually a 1,475-acre reservoir). My immediate reaction was "how have we missed this place in our 14+ years of camping in the Blue Ridge?"

The coveted camping on the point.

Just the Facts:

• Camping: The campground has 102 campsites, including 17 tents sites and 85 standard sites with water and electric hookups, showers, drinking water and a dump station. There is a gGroup tent area with a covered shelter, water and electricity, a grill, six tables and seven tent pads.
• Boating, canoeing, kayaking: There is a boat launch for 1475-acre reservoir, and Anglers will find channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, threadfin shad, spotted bass, hybrid striped bass, and tiger muskellunge 
• Hiking: Miles of hiking trails surround the lake, including the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, which has a trailhead at Bandits Roost campground. 
• Biking: There are 25 miles of biking trails nearby.

View from Overlook Mountain at sunset