Camping

Parkway Campgrounds

• 

  Otter Creek Campground

  Milepost 60.8 in VA

• 

  Peaks of Otter Campground

  Milepost 85.9 in VA

• 

  Rocky Knob Campground

  Milepost 167.1 in VA

• 

  Doughton Park Campground

  Milepost 239.2 in NC

• 

  Julian Price Campground

  Milepost 297.0 in NC

• 

  Linville Falls Campground

  Milepost 316.4 in NC

• 

  Crabtree Falls Campground

  Milepost 339.5 in NC

• 

  Mt Pisgah Campground

  Milepost 408.8 in NC

 

Developed Campgrounds

The parkway's eight campgrounds are open from May through late October, weather permitting. They are closed in winter. Current schedule of campground seasonal dates. In addition, Explore Park, located adjacent to the parkway near Roanoke, VA offers camping.

All campgrounds have potable water, comfort stations with flush toilets and sinks, and a dump station for recreational vehicles. Showers are available at Julian Price and Mount Pisgah campgrounds. There is a $3.00 fee for non-campers to use showers or dump stations. Each camp site includes a picnic table and fire ring.

Camping is permitted only in designated campsites. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis at a fee of $20 per night. In addition, advance reservations can be made for all campgrounds. The fee for campsites reserved in advance is $20 per night. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling [phone].

Please follow all campground regulations.

 

Backcountry Camping

The Parkway has three backcountry campgrounds. Backcountry camping is permitted only at designated sites. A permit is required for backcountry camping.

• Rock Castle Gorge near Rocky Knob (MP 167.1)
• Basin Cove near Doughton Park (MP 239.2)
• Johns River Road near Julian Price Park (MP 296.9)

Group Camping

Group Camping is available through reservation only at Linville Falls, Rocky Knob, and Doughton Park campgrounds. Reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling [phone]. Limit of 20 people per site. Rate: $35 per night.

Nearby Campgrounds

Numerous campgrounds are located in communities, and on state and federal lands, adjacent to the parkway. Many of these offer amenities such as water and electric hookups. Please check Virginia state parks, North Carolina state parks, and the US Forest Service for additional camping options. City and county parks and recreation departments, or tourism departments, also provide camping information.

 

Firewood Regulations: Only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought onto the Parkway. Campers may also collect dead and down wood found in the immediate vicinity of campgrounds and picnic areas.

Certified heat-treated firewood is packaged and clearly marked with a state or federal seal. Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the Parkway. Concessioners at Peaks of Otter Sharp Top Store, Price Lake Boat Rental, and Pisgah Inn Country Store sell heat-treated firewood during their operating season (typically May-November). Visit firewoodscout.org for a map of local stores and businesses that sell certified firewood. Additional information about this regulation.

 

Hiking Trails Near Campgrounds

Campground	Milepost	State	Area Hiking Trails
Otter Creek	60.8	VA	Trail of Trees, Otter Creek, Otter Lake Loop, James River Canal
Peaks of Otter	85.9	VA	Sharp Top, Elk Run, Harkening Hill, Johnson Farm
Rocky Knob	167.1	VA	Rock Castle Gorge, Black Ridge, Rocky Knob Picnic Area, Round Meadow Creek
Doughton Park	239.2	NC	Bluff Mountain, Fodder Stack
Julian Price	297.0	NC	Green Knob, Boone Fork, Price Lake, Gwyn Memorial, Tanawha
Linville Falls	316.4	NC	Flat Rock, Camp Creek, River Bend, Duggers Creek, Linville River Bridge
Crabtree Falls	339.5	NC	Crabtree Falls Loop Trail
Mount Pisgah	408.8	NC	Buck Spring, Mount Pisgah, Picnic Area Loop, Frying Pan Mountain