Blue Ridge Parkway
Experience America's Favorite Drive
Home > What To Do > Camping
Decrease Text Size Increase Text Size Email This Page Print This Page Bookmark This Page

Camping

Camping is one way visitors traveling through the Blue Ridge Parkway can spend the night under the stars in one of America’s most beautiful natural settings.

Tranquil and scenic, most campgrounds offer ready access to miles of hiking trails for those who want to explore on foot. Be sure to ask about Ranger talks and campfire programs that are offered most weekends and occasionally during the week. Most campgrounds are at elevations of more than 2,500 feet, which means temperatures are usually cooler than in the surrounding area. Even in summer a sweater can come in handy. 

The Parkway’s nine campgrounds were built years ago and do not offer hookups, but most have at least some sites that will accommodate sizeable recreational vehicles, and all offer restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables and grills. 

Campgrounds are open May through October, with a per-night charge. Reservations may be made for some sites at the Price Park, Linville Falls and Mt. Pisgah campgrounds. All other campgrounds and sites are first come, first served. To make a reservation, visit www.recreation.gov or call toll-free 877.444.6777. As a general rule, demand is higher on weekends and holidays. 

Group camping is available only at Linville Falls Campground. Call 828.765.6082 for more information. In addition, limited backcountry camping is available via permit at Basin Cove in Doughton Park 336.372.8568 and Rock Castle Gorge 540.745.9661. Camping outside of designated campgrounds (or without a permit at backcountry sites) is prohibited.

Developed Sites on the Parkway

The nine developed sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway provide food, lodging, information, restrooms, hiking and interpretation. Campgrounds are open from May to November with fees charged on a per night basis, which includes two adults over age 18. Children accompanied by an adult camp free. Drinking water, RV dump stations and restrooms are provided. None of the campgrounds are equipped with showers, electrical hook-ups or laundry services. Winter camping is occasionally available. Inquire in advance, as facilities are limited.

Related Information

Calendar

<< September 2010 >>
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
      1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10

Parkway's 75th Anniversary Weekend Festival

Friday, September 10, 2010, 6:00 pm

Henry IV, Part 2

Friday, September 10, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Friday, September 10, 2010, 7:30 pm
11

Hillsville Downtown Celebration

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 6:00 pm

Parkway's 75th Anniversary Weekend Festival

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Emissaries of Peace: The 1762 Cherokee and British Delegations

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 9:00 am

Civil War Battle Reenactments at Luray Caverns

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 9:00 am

7th Annual Grandfather Mountain Kidfest

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 10:00 am

Sedalia Country Fair

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 10:00 am

Henry IV, Part 2

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 7:30 pm
<W
12

Parkway's 75th Anniversary Weekend Festival

Sunday, September 12, 2010, 6:00 pm

Civil War Battle Reenactments at Luray Caverns

Sunday, September 12, 2010, 9:00 am

Pet Adoption Day at Chateau Morrisette

Sunday, September 12, 2010, 11:00 am

Sunday Sounds at Chateau Morrisette

Sunday, September 12, 2010, 1:00 pm

Henry IV, Part 2

Sunday, September 12, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Sunday, September 12, 2010, 7:30 pm
13

Henry IV, Part 2

Monday, September 13, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Monday, September 13, 2010, 7:30 pm
14

Henry IV, Part 2

Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 7:30 pm

As You Like It

Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 7:30 pm
15

Henry IV, Part 2

Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 7:30 pm

Wild Oats

Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 7:30 pm
16

Hotel Floyd Concert Series

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 5:00 pm

Henry IV, Part 2

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 7:30 pm

Taming of the Shrew

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 7:30 pm
17

Henry IV, Part 2

Friday, September 17, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Friday, September 17, 2010, 7:30 pm
18

Emissaries of Peace: The 1762 Cherokee and British Delegations

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 9:00 am

40th Annual American Girl Scout Day

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 10:00 am

Henry IV, Part 2

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 7:30 pm
<W
19

Sunday Sounds at Chateau Morrisette

Sunday, September 19, 2010, 1:00 pm

Henry IV, Part 2

Sunday, September 19, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Sunday, September 19, 2010, 7:30 pm
20

Henry IV, Part 2

Monday, September 20, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Monday, September 20, 2010, 7:30 pm
21

Henry IV, Part 2

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 7:30 pm

As You Like It

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 7:30 pm
22

Henry IV, Part 2

Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 7:30 pm

Wild Oats

Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 7:30 pm
23

Hotel Floyd Concert Series

Thursday, September 23, 2010, 5:00 pm

Henry IV, Part 2

Thursday, September 23, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Thursday, September 23, 2010, 7:30 pm

Taming of the Shrew

Thursday, September 23, 2010, 7:30 pm
24

Bedford Centerfest

Friday, September 24, 2010, 6:00 pm

Henry IV, Part 2

Friday, September 24, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Friday, September 24, 2010, 7:30 pm
25

22nd Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival

Saturday, September 25, 2010, 6:00 pm

Bedford Centerfest

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Dance Performance by Cherokee’s Warriors of Anikituhwa

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Emissaries of Peace: The 1762 Cherokee and British Delegations

Saturday, September 25, 2010, 9:00 am

Smithsonian Museum Day

Saturday, September 25, 2010, 10:00 am

Henry IV, Part 2

Saturday, September 25, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Saturday, September 25, 2010, 7:30 pm
<W
26

22nd Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival

Sunday, September 26, 2010, 6:00 pm

Sunday Sounds at Chateau Morrisette

Sunday, September 26, 2010, 1:00 pm

Henry IV, Part 2

Sunday, September 26, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Sunday, September 26, 2010, 7:30 pm
27

Henry IV, Part 2

Monday, September 27, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Monday, September 27, 2010, 7:30 pm
28

Henry IV, Part 2

Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 7:30 pm

As You Like It

Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 7:30 pm
29

Henry IV, Part 2

Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 7:30 pm

Wild Oats

Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 7:30 pm
30

Hotel Floyd Concert Series

Thursday, September 30, 2010, 5:00 pm

Henry IV, Part 2

Thursday, September 30, 2010, 7:30 pm

Othello

Thursday, September 30, 2010, 7:30 pm

Taming of the Shrew

Thursday, September 30, 2010, 7:30 pm
   

Highlights & Happenings

  • Folk Art Center, Milepost 382
  • The Folk Art Center showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary craft of the Southern Appalachians. It houses the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s century-old Allanstand Craft Shop, exhibitions in three galleries, a library and an audit
  • Doughton Park, MP 240
  • Renew your senses amid this landscape of open meadows. Doughton Park is one of the best places along the Blue Ridge Parkway to view white-tailed deer, raccoons, red and grey foxes, and bobcats.  Flowers burst on the scene in late spring and crea
  • Cumberland Knob, MP 217.5
  • Located near the Virginia state line, Cumberland Knob is the site where construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway began in 1935. It was the first recreation area opened to the public and remains a favorite destination for both locals and visitors. The m
  • Linn Cove Viaduct, MP 304
  • The Linn Cove Viaduct hugs the face of Grandfather Mountain and is recognized internationally as an engineering marvel. This was the last section of the Parkway to be completed and a model of the construction technique highlights a visit to the Linn
  • Mount Pisgah, MP 408
  • Mount Pisgah’s spectacular views, hiking trails, camping and the Mount Pisgah Inn make this area a popular destination for visitors along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The mountain and thousands of surrounding acres was originally purchased by indust
  • Julian Price Memorial Park, MP 297
  • A majestic 4,200 acres at the foot of Grandfather Mountain, named in honor of Julian Price, comprises this popular park and lies directly adjacent to the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. Together these parks make up the largest developed area set as
  • Rocky Knob & Mabry Mill, MP 169, 176.2
  • Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill offer many opportunities for visitors including hiking, camping, picnicking, and a visit to one of the most-photographed structures along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mabry Mill.  Mabry Mill was a community center for the Me
  • Shenandoah Uncorked at The Yellow Barn
  • A family friendly indoor wine tasting event with gourmet food, music, kids activities, local farm produce and the finest wines in the Shenandoah Valley!
  • Blooms & Wildlife Watching
  • Don't forget your cameras and binoculars when visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway! Learn when and where to see blooms along your journey.
  • Camping
  • Camping is one way visitors traveling through the Blue Ridge Parkway can spend the night under the stars in one of America’s most beautiful natural settings.
  • Hiking Trails
  • A journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers motorists spectacular views of Southern Appalachia’s diverse beauty for 469.1 uninterrupted miles.
  • What To Do
  • The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than a road – it is a beautiful journey that entices visitors to explore a 469-mile gateway to America’s rich cultural heritage.
Contact Us | Press Room | Sitemap

© 2010 Blue Ridge Parkway Association, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
P.O. Box 2136, Asheville, NC 28802-2136
webmaster@blueridgeparkway.org
Web Design & CMS by BlueKey