Table Rock, Burke County

Dimebag828

New Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Location
Hickory, NC
After making years worth of trips to Table Rock, I finally decided to take a three day camping trip on the top of Mountain and all I can say is that it was amazing to say the least. The hike to the top is only a mile from the parking lot so you can easily walk back down to the truck to get more supplies if necessary. The road to get there is off of 181, north of morganton and is very easy to find because it has a national forest sign that says Table Rock <---- near the old gas station you pass before making the turn for Brown Mountain Beach Road. There are actually 3 entrances that all lead to the parking lot near the top, and you can find out which one will be best to take by looking at a forest road map which can be found on the internet with ease but i know all the roads like the back of my hand from years of driving them. This was the best camping experience I have ever had in my life and I will be going back this weekend with a huge group of people and a very large quantity of PBR if you know what i mean ;)

My view when i woke up
ai.imgur.com_7SvUtCbl.jpg
 
Unless something has changed, camping on top isn't allowed and I know for a fact beer isn't allowed. The ranger station is right there so they are always around. It is a sweet spot though, just be ready for 500 people to be walking around your "campsite" saturday morning.
 
I prefer camping on Shortoff, but Linville Gorge in general is my favorite place. I would live there if the government didn't own it.
 
braxton357 said:
Unless something has changed, camping on top isn't allowed and I know for a fact beer isn't allowed. The ranger station is right there so they are always around. It is a sweet spot though, just be ready for 500 people to be walking around your "campsite" saturday morning.
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There are literally no enforced rules up there and nobody up there to enforce them. The Parking lot is at the end of a 10 mile gravel road off of 181 and the only thing on the road is other service roads that have gates on them 9 times out of 10. I have been there well over 30 times and have yet to see any type of state ranger or law enforcement and most of these times i was blak out drunk carrying multiple liquor bottles in my hands. I do not actually camp at the top of the mountain though. When you get about half way up the trail and it makes the fork where you turn right to go to the top, go left instead of right and follow this trail for a few hundred feet until you get to the end of it an take the last trail on the right until you reach the ledge, you will know hen you have found it trust me.
 
Dimebag828 said:
I have been there well over 30 times and have yet to see any type of state ranger or law enforcement and most of these times i was blak out drunk carrying multiple liquor bottles in my hands.
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I guess they know that they don't have to enforce the alchohol rules, the cliffs will take care of it pretty quickly in that state.

I know the camping spot you're talking about. Its right at the top of the "Little Table Rock" trail. I've only been up it, but thats the steepest "trail" i've ever been on.
 
I want to go back up there sometime It has been 27 years since I was there as a teenager. I went with a group
camping and Repelling and rock climbing . If I remember right we camped at the end of the road and then hiked
up to the rock face to climb. That place made an impression on me I have never forgot.
 
jeepinmatt said:
I guess they know that they don't have to enforce the alchohol rules, the cliffs will take care of it pretty quickly in that state.

Many years we had to tie a too drunk friend to a tree at Howards Knob one night after he came inches from going over and wanted to play around on the hanglider launch.
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Camping is legal anywhere in Linville Gorge, but you are supposed to pay for a pass at the ranger station. Also I'm fairly certain Alcohol isn't allowed anywhere inside a national forest.

For any one interested my favorite way to Table Rock is to park in the sitting bear parking area take that trail to the devils cellar then hike that to the devils cellar. where you can do some light climbing up the cellar or walk around it. at the top of the cellar you will see a trail that heads off in the direction of table rock. That will take you around hawks bill and will run into the main trail to table rock
 
johnbizzle02 said:
Camping is legal anywhere in Linville Gorge, but you are supposed to pay for a pass at the ranger station. Also I'm fairly certain Alcohol isn't allowed anywhere inside a national forest.
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Camping is free, but you are supposed to get a permit for May-October:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=48974&actid=34
Reservations: Reservations are first-come, first-serve beginning the first working day of each previous month. For example, reservations for wilderness camping permits for June are accepted starting the first working day of May. Permits are limited to 35 by reservation and 15 by walk-in.
Rentals & Guides: Several outfitter guides have permits for the Gorge for rock climbing and other activities. Contact the District Office for more information.
Fees Free
Permit Info: A permit is required for camping on weekends( Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and holidays from May 1 through October 31. Permits are issued form the District Rangers Office by mail or in person. Day use permits are not required. Permitted users are limited to 50/night. The district office can permit 35 users by reservation or walk-in. The Linville Gorge Info. Cabin can permit 15 users for walk-ins only. For permits contact Grandfather Ranger District, 109 EastLawing Drive, Nebo, NC 2876, phone 828-652-2144.
Usage: Heavy
Restrictions: No mechanical transport of any kind is allowed. No removal of plants, stone, moss for personal or commercial use.
Closest Towns: Linville Falls
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