Tillery Camping Platform

For North Carolina's outdoor adventurers and paddling enthusiasts, the **Tillery Camping Platform** represents a unique and highly sought-after destination along the renowned Roanoke River Paddle Trail. This is not your typical drive-up campground; it is an immersive, land-based campsite situated dramatically atop a bluff, offering a spectacular, high-up view of the Roanoke River near the community of Tillery, NC. This location is particularly notable as one of the first land-based camping options established by the Roanoke River Partners, providing a secure and memorable basecamp for those exploring this vast natural corridor.

The Tillery Camping Platform is designed for those who appreciate a rustic experience but value the added security and structure that a dedicated platform provides. It is an ideal spot for tent camping and is recognized as being **good for kids**, making it a perfect family or group adventure destination. The design caters to both small and larger groups, allowing for traditional tent setup on the platform and around the structures. Its function as a key stop on the Paddle Trail highlights its primary appeal: providing a necessary and scenic overnight spot for paddlers and those exploring the bottomland hardwood forests and wildlife that define the Roanoke River ecosystem. The atmosphere is one of peaceful, isolated nature, a true escape into the wild heart of Eastern North Carolina.

Customers choose this site for its unforgettable view and its clever blend of raw nature with essential facilities. Guests should anticipate a primitive camping experience focused on self-sufficiency, but with the added convenience of the established structures and basic amenities. It is a place where you truly "get back to nature" while remaining safe and secure above the high-water mark of the river.

Location and Accessibility

Tillery Camping Platform is geographically situated within the coastal plain of North Carolina, on the northern side of the Roanoke River in Northampton County. The general address location places it near the historic community of Tillery.

Address: 8G54+GM, Tillery, NC 27839, USA

As a site on the Roanoke River Paddle Trail, access is primarily designed to be by water, though it is considered land-based because it is permanently on a high bluff rather than being an over-water platform. Paddlers can pull their boats into a small cove near the site and ascend steps leading from the river to the top of the bluff where the platforms are located. For those who may access it via land, on-site parking is provided at the location, allowing for an easier setup for groups bringing in gear for an extended stay. The campground is approximately two miles downstream from the Edwards Ferry NCWR access (Hwy 258), placing it firmly within the Roanoke River's extensive natural area.

Services Offered

The services at Tillery Camping Platform are intentionally rustic, supporting a wilderness experience while still providing key comforts and security features that define the Roanoke River Paddle Trail sites.

• **Camping Structures:** The site offers two primary decks: a **roofed and screened camping platform** and a separate, open deck. Both platforms measure 12 ft x 16 ft, providing secure, flat surfaces for setting up tents, keeping gear dry, and offering protection from insects.
• **Public Restroom:** An essential amenity is the separate **in-ground privy** (an enclosed outhouse) located on the bluff. This facility is a simple but functional toilet system, ensuring proper sanitation without the need for campers to pack out waste (known as "no bucket needed" sites).
• **Running Water:** The provision of running water is basic, reflecting the primitive nature of the site. Campers should anticipate this meaning a non-potable source or a handwashing station, and are generally advised to bring their own drinking water for the duration of their stay.
• **Tent Sites:** The site is specifically classified for tent camping, utilizing the provided platforms and the surrounding grassy area on the bluff, making it adaptable for groups of various sizes.
• **Parking:** On-site parking is available for guests who are accessing the location via vehicle, a convenience that distinguishes it from purely water-access platforms.

Features / Highlights

Tillery Camping Platform’s most appealing features are its unique structures, its incredible location, and its role as part of the wider Roanoke River experience.

• **High Bluff River View:** The campsite is perched high atop a bluff, providing a truly spectacular and unforgettable elevated view of the Roanoke River and its surroundings, a significant step up from standard riverbank camping.
• **Screened Camping Deck:** The screened and roofed deck is a major highlight, offering a bug-free, sheltered communal and sleeping space, particularly valuable during the warmer months.
• **Ideal for Groups:** With two platforms and ample surrounding space for additional tents on the bluff, the site can easily accommodate large groups, making it excellent for troop outings, family reunions, or a multi-family adventure.
• **Part of the Paddle Trail:** It serves as a recognized and bookable stop along the historic and ecologically rich Roanoke River Paddle Trail, positioning you perfectly for multi-day paddling trips through one of the largest intact bottomland hardwood forests in the eastern US.
• **Proximity to Local History:** The site is just outside the Tillery community, which has a fascinating local history, including the History House museum detailing the area’s resettlement farmers.
• **Secure, Land-Based Location:** Being land-based on a high bluff means the site is less susceptible to the high water of the river, providing a stable and secure camping environment, which is a major concern when camping near the Roanoke.

Contact Information

Reservations and detailed information for the Tillery Camping Platform are generally managed by the organization overseeing the Roanoke River Paddle Trail.

Address: 8G54+GM, Tillery, NC 27839, USA
Phone: Contact information for the managing authority (Roanoke River Partners) should be sought via a general internet search, as no direct phone number for the platform itself is provided.

What is Worth Choosing

The Tillery Camping Platform is unequivocally worth choosing for North Carolina residents who prioritize a **unique, nature-focused, primitive tent camping experience** with the structural security of a dedicated platform. It is the premier choice for paddlers on the Roanoke River who require a secure, established overnight spot with sanitary facilities. Unlike traditional campgrounds that offer RV hookups and extensive amenities, Tillery offers a genuine wilderness immersion coupled with the convenience of a high, dry, screened-in area.

If you are seeking an adventure that puts you on the famous Roanoke River and offers unparalleled views from a blufftop, while still providing basic and essential amenities like a public restroom and on-site parking for easy gear loading, this is your destination. It is an excellent choice for families introducing children to the beauty of Eastern North Carolina’s rivers in a controlled and memorable way, providing both security and a spectacular, rustic escape.

Tillery Camping Platform

8G54+GM, Tillery, NC 27839, USA