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Evan Fisher

Runner, hiker, camper, and so much more. Blessed to call Western North Carolina my home.

The section of the Art Loeb Trail that runs up to Black Balsam is by far and away my favorite place to camp in all of Western North Carolina. The views up top are unparalleled in both beauty and scope. While the trail can sometimes get crowded in the general vicinity of Black Balsam, if you continue on the Art Loeb trail for a while longer, you will begin to escape the crowds and find some more secluded yet equally beautiful campsites. As others have mentioned, the wind can be rather intense, so make sure you have stakes and rope to secure your tent at night. If the stars are out, prepare for some of the best stargazing in the Southeast. As of the last time I was there (2017), bear canisters were required for all campers, no matter how long your stay might be.