Balls Creek Campground

Balls Creek Campground is a historic gathering place with around 310 buildings that include family dwellings, a central meeting area, and various community facilities. The layout features residential structures, a shared marketplace, and service buildings that together form a self-contained complex.

The site was founded in 1853 as an extension of an existing gathering place in the region. Its importance was officially recognized through listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

The site hosts yearly family gatherings in August where visitors maintain their own small dwellings and gather for religious meetings that shape the character of the place. These structures and the gathering tradition have remained central to how the community understands itself and spends time together.

The site is located near Catawba and remains open year-round for those interested in attending gatherings, community events, or outdoor activities. It helps to explore ahead since the grounds are large and complex, with different areas serving different purposes.

A major fire in 2019 destroyed a significant portion of the buildings and required an extensive emergency response from multiple surrounding areas. The event shaped the recent history of the place and necessitated the community to rebuild many of its structures.

Location: North Carolina

GPS coordinates: 35.62940,-81.09720

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:40