Where to Camp
Camping
Camping Along the Parkway
Spend the night under the stars in one of America’s most beautiful natural settings by camping while traveling through the Blue Ridge Parkway. Campgrounds on the Parkway are open seasonally, while many privately-owned campgrounds just off the Parkway are open year-round. To find a campground, check the list below, use our interactive map, or view the brochure to locate a campground in a specific area. To determine availability for privately-owned campgrounds, you’ll need to contact the campground directly via telephone or website.
Parkway Campgrounds
All Parkway Campgrounds offer restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables and grills. Showers are only available at Mt. Pisgah Campground and Price Park Campground. To make a reservation or find details about which public campgrounds are open and have availability, visit www.recreation.gov. Camping in the Parkway’s Campgrounds is only allowed when the campground is open.
Camping on Parkway lands outside of designated campgrounds or without a permit at backcountry sites is prohibited.
The Parkway’s eight campgrounds were built years ago and do not currently offer RV hookups. Most Parkway campgrounds have at least some sites that will accommodate sizeable recreational vehicles. There are many private campgrounds in communities available just off the Parkway with full RV hookups and amenities.
Learn 7 Leave No Trace tips for ensuring that every camper has an excellent experience on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Camping
NPS Campgrounds on the Parkway in Virginia
NPS Campgrounds on the Parkway in North Carolina
Good to Know
Parkway Campgrounds are normally open from May – October. Fees are charged on a per night basis, which includes two adults over age 18. Children accompanied by an adult camp free.
Reservations may be made for some sites in advance. As a general rule, demand is higher on weekends and holidays. Some first-come first-serve sites are offered at ALL Parkway campgrounds.
Camping on the Parkway
Group camping on the Parkway is available only with a permit at Linville Falls Campground. Call 828-765-6082 for more information.
Limited backcountry camping on the Parkway is available via (free) permit only in these locations:
Rock Castle Gorge in Rocky Knob at Milepost 167.1. Call campground at 540-745-9664 May- October, or district office at 540-745-9660 in the off season.
Basin Cove in Doughton Park at Milepost 244.7. Call campground at 336-372-8877 May-October, or district office at 828-348-3487 in the off season.
Old John’s River in Julian Price Park at Milepost 296.9. Call campground at 828-963-5911 May-October, or district office at 828-348-3510 in the off season.
Backcountry camping permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are available at applicable campgrounds from May 1 to October 31. From November 1 through April 30, permits are available at the corresponding District Office (phone numbers listed above). Site inventory is limited, so advance reservations are encouraged.
Permits are issued under the following conditions:
- no more than 6 people per campsite
- group size is limited
- permits cannot be issued for more than 3 consecutive nights
- the approximate dates and location of entry and exit, number of overnight campers, and identification of any vehicles parked overnight are required for permit issuance
Permits may be acquired by phone only from district offices closest to backcountry site location. More information related to backcountry camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway is available on the park website.
