About Bandits Roost
Number of accommodations: 103
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Bandits Roost.
Rates, Sites & Availability
103 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
103 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (1821)
What Guests Are Saying
Bandits Roost is praised for its spacious, clean, and beautiful campsites, with many guests highlighting the welcoming staff and peaceful atmosphere. The campground offers convenient access to local attractions and activities, making it a favorite for returning visitors. While some maintenance issues, such as the boat ramp and bathhouse updates, were noted, the overall experience remains highly positive.
What Guests Are Saying
Bandits Roost is praised for its spacious, clean, and beautiful campsites, with many guests highlighting the welcoming staff and peaceful atmosphere. The campground offers convenient access to local attractions and activities, making it a favorite for returning visitors. While some maintenance issues, such as the boat ramp and bathhouse updates, were noted, the overall experience remains highly positive.
Review Summary
Richard E
VerifiedJuly 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: A
Usually, my experience is excellent at Bandits Roost. The last trip began on July 5 and I'm sure that it was hard to keep up with all the 4th of July guest, trash and cleaning. The men's restroom toilets were stopped up the entire trip. with water running out the door into the handicap camp site. Dumpsters were overflowing and trash piled all around the dumpster. Maybe on holidays the core of engineers could get extra help to keep these areas taken care of. The lake is beautiful, quiet, wonderful asset for Wilkes County. We are very appreciative and thankful to be able to enjoy it.
Richard E
VerifiedJuly 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: A
Usually, my experience is excellent at Bandits Roost. The last trip began on July 5 and I'm sure that it was hard to keep up with all the 4th of July guest, trash and cleaning. The men's restroom toilets were stopped up the entire trip. with water running out the door into the handicap camp site. Dumpsters were overflowing and trash piled all around the dumpster. Maybe on holidays the core of engineers could get extra help to keep these areas taken care of. The lake is beautiful, quiet, wonderful asset for Wilkes County. We are very appreciative and thankful to be able to enjoy it.
David K
VerifiedJuly 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: A
Broken gate, the peninsula bathroom and shower were flooded and not very clean, had to use the boat launch side. Camp host was great and check in was very simple this year. Sites were very clean
David K
VerifiedJuly 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: A
Broken gate, the peninsula bathroom and shower were flooded and not very clean, had to use the boat launch side. Camp host was great and check in was very simple this year. Sites were very clean
David K
VerifiedJuly 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: A
Broken gate, the peninsula bathroom and shower were flooded and not very clean, had to use the boat launch side. Camp host was great and check in was very simple this year. Sites were very clean
Julie L
VerifiedJuly 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: A
Beautiful camp ground however not as well maintained as years past and was not secure. Many rule changes this year including noon check out time reducing the amount of time we can enjoy our stay. Very limited ranger patrol, no control over pets with out leases, boats were docked beside swimming area all week, bath houses were not stocked with soap all week, camp sites were covered in ankle deep weeds, lack of any ranger presence made it not seem safe like past years. Very sad:(
Adrienne C
VerifiedJuly 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 73, Loop: B
Disappointed in the changes, especially the lack of staff on duty. Enforcement of policies and rules were lacking, if not absent. Small children were running around all over the place with no supervision, riding and walking through campsites, and not adhering to Quiet Time. I had an issue with the power box and breaker but there was nobody to contact on the matter. Been coming here every year since my childhood so I’m definitely disappointed.
Julie L
VerifiedJuly 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: A
Beautiful camp ground however not as well maintained as years past and was not secure. Many rule changes this year including noon check out time reducing the amount of time we can enjoy our stay. Very limited ranger patrol, no control over pets with out leases, boats were docked beside swimming area all week, bath houses were not stocked with soap all week, camp sites were covered in ankle deep weeds, lack of any ranger presence made it not seem safe like past years. Very sad:(
Adrienne C
VerifiedJuly 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 73, Loop: B
Disappointed in the changes, especially the lack of staff on duty. Enforcement of policies and rules were lacking, if not absent. Small children were running around all over the place with no supervision, riding and walking through campsites, and not adhering to Quiet Time. I had an issue with the power box and breaker but there was nobody to contact on the matter. Been coming here every year since my childhood so I’m definitely disappointed.
Julie L
VerifiedJuly 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: A
Beautiful camp ground however not as well maintained as years past and was not secure. Many rule changes this year including noon check out time reducing the amount of time we can enjoy our stay. Very limited ranger patrol, no control over pets with out leases, boats were docked beside swimming area all week, bath houses were not stocked with soap all week, camp sites were covered in ankle deep weeds, lack of any ranger presence made it not seem safe like past years. Very sad:(
Location Bandits Roost
Address:
667 Jess Walsh Road
Wilkesboro, NC, 28697-0182
United States
From Winston-Salem, North Carolina, take Highway 421 North (approximately 55 miles) to Exit 286B, turn left onto Highway 268 and continue for approximately 5 miles. Turn right onto Jess Walsh Road. Campground entrance is located at the end of the road.
From Charlotte, North Carolina, take I-77 North (approximately 60 miles) before merging onto Highway 421 North towards Wilkesboro/Boone. Continue to Exit 286B (approximately 20 miles), turn left onto Highway 268 and continue for approximately 5 miles. Turn right onto Jess Walsh Road. Campground entrance is located at the end of the road.
Travel times from:
Winston Salem: 1 hour.
Charlotte: 1.5 hours.
The campground is accessible via Highway 421, which is approximately 5 miles from Highway 268, and I-77 is also within reach, merging onto Highway 421 toward Wilkesboro/Boone.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.1219 / -81.2507
Elevation: 339 feet
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 5, 2026
