The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of America’s iconic scenic drives and what better way to experience it’s beauty than to camp in one of it’s designated campgrounds.
There are 8 national park campgrounds along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to North Carolina. They are open from May to late October making it very convenient to stay on the parkway spring, summer and fall.
In this post, you will find an overview of each of the 8 Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds along with a detailed review for the 4 above campgrounds I have stayed at in recent years.
For these 4 campgrounds, I provide my thoughts about each campground including what loops work best for the different types of campers. For those of us who love to stay connected, I also detail internet and cell phone access and how far you need to drive from each campground to get cell service.
Lastly, this post also includes a list of the best things to see near each campground and also where the nearest major grocery stores and restaurants are located.
Aimed with the knowledge you should be able to decide which campground best fits your specific camping setup and needs. So let’s get started planning a Blue Ridge Parkway camping trip.
Where Are The Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds?
Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds – What You Need to Know
Blue Ridge Parkway Campground Overview
Otter Creek
Peak of Otter Campground
Rocky Knob Campground
Doughton Park Campground
Julian Price Campground
Maria’s Thoughts on Julian Price Campground
Location- The campground is located by the beautiful Julian Price Lake and just minutes from Moses Cone Estate and Grandfather Mountain. Julian Price campground is also close to Boone and Blowing Rock. Summers are comfortable at Price Campground due to it’s elevation while it is also not nearly as cold in spring and fall as Mt. Pisgah Campground.
Campground Loops- It is difficult to recommend the right loop for you since I don’t know the type of vehicle you will be camping in. Also be aware that many of the sites in all the loops are not level so please come prepared with levelers. Also be sure to keep in mind that, although a site may state it can accommodate a large RV, the road by the site may not have space to back up that size RV. Be sure to check directly with the campground if you are in a 35 foot or larger RV.
Here are my thoughts on where to stay at Price Lake:
Loop A –One of the most popular loops is A loop because is it located by the lake itself with several sites being right on the lake. If lake views are important, plan ahead and be sure to book a campsite in A. Due to aware that because this loop is on the lake, you tend to get a lot of people wanting through the campground that are not registered campers. This loop is also right by the Parkway and is much noisier than the other loops. (This is not my favorite loop due to traffic and noise)
Loop E –For those who travel in larger RV’s, the E loop is a designated RV loop and the most open loop in all of Price loops. This is my favorite loop when I am needing to charge my solar panels. This loop will accomodate RV’s easier than any other loop but be aware the there are only a few sites big enough for a large RV and the road is still tight. Most sites are best suited for RV’s in the 20-30 foot range.
Also be aware that E loop does not have any dish cleaning facilities, only bathrooms that have no lights and soap. Loop E has both advanced reservation sites and First Come sites.
Loop F is also considered an RV site but many of the sites are smaller than E and much tighter to back into. I have stayed in a 20+ foot van in a site that was difficult to get in due to the narrow curved road surrounded by bushes. If you are in an RV larger than 25 feet, be sure to check access.
This loop has a mix of first come and advanced reservation sites.
The bathroom facilities are located in a wooded area in the middle of the loop requiring a walk though woods. By the way, both times I have stayed in this loop, there was a bear visiting the bathrooms at night. I personally found Loop F to be too wooded for my taste, in fact it felt claustrophobic.
Loops B and C – These loops contain tent sites along with some RV/Van sites in very pretty wooded areas. The loops are hilly with some being very even but the sites are pretty. These sites also work for those traveling in vans of 20 feet or less who may wish to put up an outdoor shelter.
Loop D- If I am tent camping or staying in a shorter van, this would be my top choice as long as I do not need solar. Showers are located on this loop and the loop itself is to me the prettiest loop in the campground.
Showers-This is one of the the two campgrounds that have shower facilities. The shower rooms are very nice with separate facilities that include a toilet, sink, electric outlet, bench and good hot water.
However the showers are on timers that appear to vary from room to room. One shower will shut off after only 15 seconds and you will have to continually press the button to finish showering while a shower in the next room may run for 30 seconds before shutting off. Either way the time is way too short and I found it very annoying and inefficient. I know they are trying to save money but really who can shower in 15 seconds.
Cell and Internet – About roughly 3 miles north of Julian Price Campground, there is a small dirt area close to where Boone travelers enter the Parkway. Here cars can park and connect to both cell and internet services with signals are strong enough to work. Of course you can always head into nearby Blowing Rock or Boone.
Linville Falls Campground
Maria’s Thoughts on Linville Falls Campground
Location: There is not that much to say about this campground. It is a small campground that feels like an RV park. However it is one of the more open campgrounds so for those of you needing sun, this may be your campground. Also this campground seems to have more sites that can handle the larger RVs. Just be aware you will not find that national forest park setting at Linville.
Lastly, other than Linville Falls, Linville Caverns, and fishing in the river, there is not that much to do close by the campground. The drive to decent grocery stores is also a bit longer than from other parkway campgrounds although the small community of Linville Falls does have a couple popular restaurants and a 7/ 11 type store.
Cell and Internet – No cell or internet. I had to drive about 7 miles for any decent connections
Crabtree Falls Campground
Maria’s Thoughts on Crabtree Falls Campground
Location: As mentioned the main draw for this campground is that the Crabtree Falls trail starts in the campground. Also for those of us who love sunrise and sunsets at Craggy Gardens, it is the closest parkway campground to the Craggy Gardens area. However, it is still about a 40 minute drive.
The campground is about 30 minutes from Mt. Mitchell. For photographers like myself, it can be a very good place to stay.
Sites: The campground has two main loops, A loop primarily for RV’s and B loop for tents. Note many van campers will also stay in B. Overall the campground is in a pretty wooded setting and much quieter than the other campgrounds.
There are two things to be aware of before deciding to camp at Crabtee Falls:
Almost every site is in shade, some in deep shade all day.
Also many of the campsites are shared spaces. For instance if you tent camp you will pull into one of two parking spaces similar to parking at a store. From that space one tent site is located on the left of the shared space while the other site is located on the right of the shared space. Although I like this campground, as a van camper, I do not like the shared spaces at all. You will find yourself sleeping right next to someone else’s car. However if you get lucky you can find a beautiful single spot like the one below.
Mt. Pisgah Campground
Maria’s Thoughts on Mt. Pisgah Campground
Location: The campground is located in one of the prettiest sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. For a photographer like myself, I find staying at Mt. Pisgah very convenient for both sunrise and sunset photography of the Parkway’s best overlooks.
Having access to a store and restaurant within a 2 minute drive is also great. Just be aware that due to its elevation, this campground can get very cold! Warning, due to all the close vegetation, mice and rats can be a problem here as I found out.
Sites: Loop A of this campground is designated for RV’s, Loop B is designated for Vans and very small RV’s while Loop C is tent only campers. The roads are tight, especially in Loop B and sites tend to have a mix of full shade and partial shade.
Note, that Loop C for tent campers can close for bear activity and has been closed twice when I stayed there. So tent campers be prepared to make other arrangements on short notice.
Showers: This is one of only two campgrounds with showers although these showers are not nearly as nice as Price Lake Campground they are not on timers.. Each loop has a designated restroom facilities with a couple showers for men and a couple showers for women.
Cell and Internet: Signals in the campground are weak to non existent but there is decent cell signals at the Inn and also at a nearby overlook just a minute away.
Final Thoughts on Camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great way to experience the awesome Blue Ridge Mountains. You will not have the amenities you may find in a campground in a nearby city but you will create a memory unlike any other. Speaking of memories, be sure to read my 15 Great Photo Spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway post linked below.
The best advice I can offer you when choosing a Blue Ridge Parkway campsite is to choose the location based on when you are traveling such as in summer, pick high elevation sites. Also for those who rely on solar be sure to book campgrounds with some sunny campsites. Lastly, be sure you are able to access the site in your rig. I can’t tell you how many campers I saw struggle to back a large rig into a tight spot. Book early!
I hope this overview is helpful and please don’t hesitate to ask questions of things I may not have covered.
Thanks for joining me on another Photo Road Trip adventure and stay tuned for an upcoming post about great photo spots in Asheville.
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