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
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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
Jack H
VerifiedApril 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 55, Loop: A
There’s no longer a gatehouse attendant on duty until 3:00 PM. The campground is much less secure now with the gate code so easily broadcasted. There was a late night attempt to steal our expensive bikes right from our campsite around 2:00 AM but a double lock cable spoiled their attempt. Drive thru traffic was very high volume compared to past seasons. And the dogs. My goodness we could have just camped next to our local humane society and listened to constant dogs barking.
The contract maintenance crews are still tearing up more than they fix with equipment and their quality of maintenance is very poor. Still using huge ABC stone on the campsites instead of 78M which is much more suitable and doesn’t splash rock screenings all over your rig in heavy rains.
There was a fallen tree blocking the path to the amphitheater the entire time we were there. Again a terrible lack of competent maintenance.
Jack H
VerifiedApril 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 55, Loop: A
There’s no longer a gatehouse attendant on duty until 3:00 PM. The campground is much less secure now with the gate code so easily broadcasted. There was a late night attempt to steal our expensive bikes right from our campsite around 2:00 AM but a double lock cable spoiled their attempt. Drive thru traffic was very high volume compared to past seasons. And the dogs. My goodness we could have just camped next to our local humane society and listened to constant dogs barking.
The contract maintenance crews are still tearing up more than they fix with equipment and their quality of maintenance is very poor. Still using huge ABC stone on the campsites instead of 78M which is much more suitable and doesn’t splash rock screenings all over your rig in heavy rains.
There was a fallen tree blocking the path to the amphitheater the entire time we were there. Again a terrible lack of competent maintenance.
Mary H
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 82, Loop: B
We’ve been camping at Bandits Roost for about 10 years, once or twice every year. We were disappointed on this trip with the following: there was trash on our campsite when we arrived, there was no liquid soup in the dispenser in the Ladies room on loop B until Sunday (although I complained about it to the staff at the kiosk on Friday afternoon) and the trash dumpster on Loop B was overflowing with trash stacked up on Friday morning ahead of a busy weekend. The trash dumpster was filled even higher on Sunday afternoon when we left.
scott b
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: A
I'm just not sure I agree on the new more laid-back processes at the gate. In the past I felt really secure while in the campground but now there was one time that the gate was staying open during the day. Not sure what is going on?
Concerned committed camper.
Mary H
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 82, Loop: B
We’ve been camping at Bandits Roost for about 10 years, once or twice every year. We were disappointed on this trip with the following: there was trash on our campsite when we arrived, there was no liquid soup in the dispenser in the Ladies room on loop B until Sunday (although I complained about it to the staff at the kiosk on Friday afternoon) and the trash dumpster on Loop B was overflowing with trash stacked up on Friday morning ahead of a busy weekend. The trash dumpster was filled even higher on Sunday afternoon when we left.
scott b
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: A
I'm just not sure I agree on the new more laid-back processes at the gate. In the past I felt really secure while in the campground but now there was one time that the gate was staying open during the day. Not sure what is going on?
Concerned committed camper.
Mary H
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 82, Loop: B
We’ve been camping at Bandits Roost for about 10 years, once or twice every year. We were disappointed on this trip with the following: there was trash on our campsite when we arrived, there was no liquid soup in the dispenser in the Ladies room on loop B until Sunday (although I complained about it to the staff at the kiosk on Friday afternoon) and the trash dumpster on Loop B was overflowing with trash stacked up on Friday morning ahead of a busy weekend. The trash dumpster was filled even higher on Sunday afternoon when we left.
scott b
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: A
I'm just not sure I agree on the new more laid-back processes at the gate. In the past I felt really secure while in the campground but now there was one time that the gate was staying open during the day. Not sure what is going on?
Concerned committed camper.
James O
VerifiedApril 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 55, Loop: A
I like this place but the recent change of the gate house being closed for days at a time is not a good thing. I hope it's only temporary. There needs to be someone who attempts to enforce the campground rules there as the park rangers who sometimes drive through don't do anything.
James O
VerifiedApril 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 55, Loop: A
I like this place but the recent change of the gate house being closed for days at a time is not a good thing. I hope it's only temporary. There needs to be someone who attempts to enforce the campground rules there as the park rangers who sometimes drive through don't do anything.
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
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Last updated: June 5, 2026