Camping/Hiking in NC

[Wrangler99]

Hey guys,

I'm planning a primitive camping trip with a couple friends in July or so, and I wanted to open carry my .308 rifle as we'll be hiking for a day or so to get to a preferable campsite. Now, we were planning on going to Linville gorge as it is pretty scenic and has a lot of trails for hiking. Obviously, it won't be during hunting season, but I can't find any definitive information pertaining to the legality of open carrying a centerfire rifle while hiking out of season.

Also, if anyone has an suggestions as to where we could go in the mountains of NC, it'd be very welcomed. I was thinking of Uwharrie as I like to drive my Wrangler through the woods, but the mountains there are few and far in between, so it got cut.

Thanks

 

[rajb123]

I can't imagine that would be allowed, but I don;t know.

 

[andrewstorm]

n.c. open carry

open carry is legal in n.c.,in your truck car on person,the thing you gotta worrie about is game preserves,and closed hunting areas ,your best bet is contact the ranger in the area you intend to hike and ask him remember to squeel like a pig like in the movie deliverence.uwarrie national forrest is the united states oldest mountain range and just a bunch of hills really,although gold has been found there,its not very wild linville gorge is where they shot the movie deliverence ,there are bears ,bores, 6 foot timber rattlers, cougars coyotes and crazy people, a hand gun would be my choice,45 colt with snake shotin first chamber and sluges in the rest ,good luck

 

[answerguy]

Geez Wrangler,

don't you own a pistol? Carrying that rifle around all day is going to get old in a hurry.

 

[Wrangler99]

Thanks, Andrewstorm, I didn't know whether or not Linville was part of a State or National park, but it's in a certain district of the Pisgah, and I will be contacting that districts head ranger on this matter

@Answerguy: Nope, I'm not old enough to purchase one, and I doubt my father will buy one for me, so I'll have to deal with my bolt action.

 

[Workhorse]

Be careful where your carrying it, there are alot of campsites and attractions around Linville......you might find yourself having to answer alot of questions.

 

[MtnCreek]

Linville Gorge is a great place. Most of the property up there is Federal and unless things have changed, pistols are not allowed. I have carried a rifle on Linville Mtn during hunting season, but you need to contact US Forestry to check and make sure. Assuming you're traveling up 221 north to get there, stop and check out Linville Caverns. It's on the left just before you get to the top of the Mtn. Harpers Creek is great fishing and not too far from where you'll be. Other good info, the restruant on the right side at the top of the Mtn sells beer by the case! If you've never been there, take a ride down the Parkway to Grandfather Mtn.

Just so you know, there were several people (campers) killed in the Gorge several years ago. I know this because I used to live on the other side of Linville Mtn. Protect yourself. If you have a good dog, I suggest taking it with you.

 

[MtnCreek]

its not very wild linville gorge is where they shot the movie deliverence ,there are bears ,bores, 6 foot timber rattlers, cougars coyotes and crazy people

Don't know about Deliverence, but Last of the Mohecons was filmed there and surrounding areas.
Bears: Yes.
Rattle Snakes: YES! Bunches!
Cougars: I'm not saying.
Crazy People: Yes! The Western NC Mtns in the home of choice for much of the hippie population this side of San Fran. Rough outlaw types often 'camp out' when hiding from the local sheriff's.

 

[rajb123]

my bird dog guide there does not allow his 16 dogs out of the cages in the summer months... too many bad snakes...

 

[crestoncowboy]

linville is more walking than hiking, stone mtn near wilkes is pretty rough uphill rock hiking though, neither has much roughing it feel to it. The best place to wheel was tellico but it closed. I have never seen a long gun in the hiking area and I know the guys I bear hunted with would hunt all around it but wouldnt take guns there, so Id bet they are not allowed. Ashe county is all mountains look around there.