Last updated: October 2, 2026
Camping is one of the best ways to experience the Blue Ridge Parkway. You fall asleep to mountain air, wake up above the clouds, and start your driving day right at the scenery.
The parkway has eight National Park Service campgrounds along its 469 miles, and this guide covers all of them.
For each campground, you get:
- The milepost
- The number of sites
- The fees
- How reservations work
You also get the rules that surprise first-time visitors, like the lack of hookups and the first-come sites. Read this before you book.
Blue Ridge Parkway Camping at a Glance
- 8 NPS campgrounds from Virginia (MP 60.8) to North Carolina (MP 408.8)
- Fees: $30 a night for a standard site; no electric hookups anywhere
- Reservations: book on Recreation.gov, or grab a first-come, first-served site
- Season: most campgrounds run May through October
- Note for 2026: Linville Falls and Crabtree Falls campgrounds are both closed to camping this year because of Hurricane Helene damage. Check the NPS conditions page before you go.
| Campground | Milepost | Sites | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Creek | 60.8 | 68 | May to Oct |
| Peaks of Otter | 86 | 139 | May to Oct |
| Rocky Knob | 167.1 | 106 | May to Oct |
| Doughton Park | 239.2 | 110 | May to Oct |
| Julian Price | 297 | 190 | May to Oct |
| Linville Falls | 316.4 | Closed 2026 | Closed |
| Crabtree Falls | 339.5 | Closed 2026 | Closed |
| Mount Pisgah | 408.8 | 125 | May to Oct |
1. Otter Creek Campground (MP 60.8)
Otter Creek is the first campground you reach driving south from the northern end. It sits in a quiet hardwood forest in Virginia with 68 sites.
The creek runs nearby, and the setting feels secluded even though the road is close.
This is a good first-night stop if you start the parkway from Shenandoah. Sites are reservable and first-come. Facilities include drinking water, flush toilets, and a dump station in season.
2. Peaks of Otter Campground (MP 86)
Peaks of Otter is one of the largest campgrounds on the parkway with 139 sites. It sits near Abbott Lake, with Sharp Top and Flat Top mountains rising behind it.
The lodge and restaurant nearby give you a backup if you want one dinner you do not have to cook.
The campground works well for families. Sites handle tents and RVs, and the lake loop trail is an easy evening walk. Book ahead for summer weekends because this one fills.
3. Rocky Knob Campground (MP 167.1)
Rocky Knob sits at nearly 3,600 feet in Virginia with 106 sites spread through the forest. It is quieter than the big campgrounds, which makes it a favorite for travelers who want a calm night.
The Rock Castle Gorge Trail starts nearby for a solid day hike. The campground has drinking water and restrooms in season. First-come sites are common here outside holidays.
4. Doughton Park Campground (MP 239.2)
Doughton Park offers 110 sites near the park’s wide meadows and the Bluff Mountain Trail. Wildflowers fill the fields in spring and summer. The elevation keeps nights cool even in July.
This campground suits hikers. Miles of trails start right from the park, including the long Bluff Mountain route. The visitor center nearby has exhibits on the area’s history.
5. Julian Price Campground (MP 297)
Julian Price is the biggest campground in the North Carolina high country with 190 sites.
It sits across from Price Lake, so you can watch the sunset over the water and walk back to your tent in minutes.
The campground is popular and books fast for October. It has drinking water, flush toilets, and a dump station. The lake loop and nearby Boone Fork Trail give you hiking without driving anywhere.
6. Linville Falls Campground (MP 316.4): Closed in 2026
Linville Falls Campground normally offers 64 sites near the famous falls and gorge trails.
For 2026, it is closed to all camping because of damage from Hurricane Helene. Check the NPS conditions page for updates before planning around it.
If you wanted to stay here, Julian Price (MP 297) is the nearest open alternative. Crabtree Falls (MP 339.5) is also closed in 2026.
The Linville Falls trails themselves are a separate matter from the campground, so check trail status too.
Our Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls guide has the latest on the falls area.
7. Crabtree Falls Campground (MP 339.5): Closed in 2026
Crabtree Falls is the only parkway campground open year-round in a normal year, with 81 sites. For 2026, though, it is closed to all camping because of Hurricane Helene damage.
If you wanted to stay here, Julian Price (MP 297) and Mount Pisgah (MP 408.8) are the nearest open alternatives.
In a normal season, about 27 sites are reservable and 54 are first-come, first-served.
The campground sits in a beautiful hardwood forest, and the Crabtree Falls loop trail starts nearby. The 60-foot falls are one of the prettiest on the parkway. In a normal season, sites cost $30 a night with no hookups.
8. Mount Pisgah Campground (MP 408.8)
Mount Pisgah is the highest campground on the parkway at nearly 5,000 feet, with 125 sites. Summer nights here are cool when the valleys bake.
The views from the nearby Pisgah Inn and the Mount Pisgah trail are outstanding.
This is the best base for exploring the Asheville section of the parkway. Some sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served.
The campground has showers, a dump station, and an amphitheater with evening programs in season. Book early for July and October.
Which Campground Should You Pick?
Match the campground to your trip:
- First night from the north: Otter Creek (MP 60.8)
- Families with kids: Peaks of Otter (MP 86) for the lake and lodge
- Quiet nights: Rocky Knob (MP 167.1) or Doughton Park (MP 239.2)
- High country base: Julian Price (MP 297) near Price Lake and Grandfather Mountain
- Closed in 2026: Linville Falls (MP 316.4) and Crabtree Falls (MP 339.5), both for Helene repairs
- Highest and coolest: Mount Pisgah (MP 408.8) near Asheville
How Reservations Work
Most parkway campgrounds mix reservable sites with first-come, first-served sites. You book the reservable ones on Recreation.gov, up to six months ahead.
The first-come sites go to whoever arrives first that day, and you pay at the campground.
- Book ahead for summer weekends and all of October. The popular campgrounds fill.
- Arrive before noon if you want a first-come site on a weekend.
- One site fits up to six people in most campgrounds, with a limit on vehicles.
- Senior and Access pass holders get 50 percent off the $30 site fee.
RVs on the Parkway: What to Know
You can bring an RV, but the parkway was built for cars, so know the limits.
Campgrounds accept RVs and trailers up to certain lengths, often around 30 to 35 feet at most sites, with a few sites handling longer rigs up to 55 feet or more.
Check the exact limit for your site on Recreation.gov before you book.
There are no electric, water, or sewer hookups at any parkway campground. Dump stations are available at every campground in season.
The road itself has low tunnels, especially in North Carolina, so check the NPS tunnel height chart if your rig is tall.
Camping Rules That Surprise People
- No hookups: no electric, water, or sewer at your site. Plan accordingly.
- Food storage: store food in your vehicle or the provided boxes. Bears live here.
- Quiet hours: usually 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators have limited hours too.
- Fires: allowed in fire rings only. You can gather dead, down wood near the campground, but only certified heat-treated firewood may be brought in.
- Pets: leashed dogs are welcome in campgrounds and on trails.
Backcountry and Dispersed Options
The parkway has three backcountry camping areas. Each one costs $15 a night, and you need a permit from Recreation.gov before you go:
- Rock Castle Gorge at milepost 167.1
- Basin Cove at milepost 244.7
- Johns River Road at milepost 296.9
All three have a six-person limit and a three-night stay limit. These are simple sites with no facilities, best for experienced campers.
National forest land near the parkway also offers dispersed camping in places like the Pisgah and Jefferson National Forests. Rules vary by district, so check the local forest service page before you go.
What to Pack for Parkway Camping
Mountain weather changes fast. Pack layers even in summer, because nights at 4,000 feet can drop into the 50s in July.
Bring these basics:
- A rain jacket
- A warm sleeping bag
- A headlamp
Cell signal is weak or absent at most campgrounds, so download offline maps and your reservation confirmation.
For cooking, bring a camp stove. Firewood is sold at some campgrounds, and you can collect dead, down wood near your site. Pack all food in sealed containers and keep a clean camp for the bears.
Blue Ridge Parkway Camping: FAQs
How much does it cost to camp on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
A standard site costs $30 a night, and Senior and Access pass holders pay half. Group sites cost more, and no hookups are included at any price.
Do I need a reservation?
Not always, but it helps. Most campgrounds have both reservable and first-come sites. For summer weekends and October, reserve on Recreation.gov as early as you can.
Can I camp with an RV on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Yes, within length limits that vary by campground and site. Most sites handle rigs up to about 30 to 35 feet. There are no hookups, but dump stations are available in season.
Which campgrounds are open year-round?
In a normal year, Crabtree Falls (MP 339.5) is the only one open all year, and the rest run from May through October. In 2026, Crabtree Falls is closed for Helene repairs, so no parkway campground stays open year-round this year.
Is Linville Falls Campground open?
No. It is closed to camping through 2026 because of Hurricane Helene damage. Julian Price (MP 297) is the nearest open alternative, and Crabtree Falls is closed in 2026 too.
Are campfires allowed?
Yes, in the fire rings at your site. Do not build fires outside the rings. You can collect dead, down wood near your campground.
Camping turns the Blue Ridge Parkway from a drive into a full experience. Pick your campground, book your site, and wake up in the mountains.
For help planning the driving days between camps, see our Blue Ridge Parkway road trip guide.
