[peller]

I've had this experience out west too. But anecdotally at least, these spots can be harder to find on the east coast.

[bluntfang]

there's a network of national forests that sprawl the east coast where I've never had an issue finding a mostly secluded campsites close to water and beautiful terrain.

[wil421]

I second this. It’s been very easy to find National Forest and WMA campsites in North Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Chattahoochee and Nantahala National forests and my favorite.