When I went looking for Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds while planning my first trip down the parkway, I didn’t really know what to expect at first. Google Maps showed me that there was plenty of camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but I was left with a lot of places to sort through. Fortunately for you, I’ve not only done all that research before but I’ve taken the trip as well.
The campgrounds on this list are evenly split between North Carolina and Virginia. You’ll also find that they are listed from south to north, so if your trip is heading the other direction just read it from bottom to the top. During our trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, we stayed at four of these sites. All of these Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds were on my final list, we just didn’t get a chance to camp at all of them.
My Experience with Blue Ridge Parkway Camping
Overall, my experience camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway was fantastic. This was also the first trip where we were camping in the back of our trusty Subaru Forester, affectionately known as Linda. It’s become a go-to strategy for our camping road trips now thanks to how easy it is to setup each night. With the length of our trip being just over a week, there wasn’t really a need to setup a full camp with tent each night.
Our trip was actually longer than just the Blue Ridge Parkway. We began with Skyline Drive, something we added at the end of the planning for this trip. We didn’t do any camping up there, but it did mean that the miles we needed to put in each day didn’t exactly line up with my originally planned campgrounds in Virginia. This includes Sherando Lake (which was too few daily miles and near the beginning of the Parkway) and Rocky Knob (we stayed at a campground close to Roanoke, which didn’t make this list).
Another spot we didn’t get to camp in is Davidson River. We called an audible late in the trip and opted for a hotel in Asheville due to heavy storms coming in. It’s 100% possible to camp in your car during bad weather, but we preferred to not have to worry about that. However, my mom has done some extensive camping at Davidson River and it’s one of her favorite places to go camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Other than these couple of exceptions, we stayed at each campground on the list and enjoyed every minute at them just like I’m sure you will!
Smokemont Campground, Cherokee, NC
Smokemont Campground is an awesome place to either begin or end your trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Situated inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and just minutes from Cherokee, it’s extremely conveniently located. That makes it a popular spot for those who want to camp while visiting the national park, especially if you’re staying on the North Carolina side.
The campground is operated by the National Park Service, which almost always does a wonderful job of setting up and maintaining campgrounds. There are over 140 sites available, but be prepared to make your reservations ahead of time. That’s especially important during peak seasons like fall, which is one of the best times to visit the national park or drive the parkway. No matter how you choose to setup camp, you’ll have options available to you.
One of the biggest reasons why I found this to be one of the best Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds is thanks to it’s scenic beauty. Bradley Fork comes roaring by the campground, right before it meets with the Oconaluftee River. There are a number of great hiking trails which lead away from the campground if you can find time for a hike. You can even take a horseback ride nearby at the Smokemont Riding Stables! The campground really has everything you need for a great trip and was a fantastic way to wrap up our trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Davidson River Campground, Brevard, NC
We make trips to Brevard nearly every year, but not very often have we decided to camp when coming to town. Then of course the one time we do plan to enjoy some camping, the weather decided it wasn’t going to be in the cards for us. That’s OK, because hopefully when you take your camping trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll be able to stay at Davidson River.
This campground is operated by the forest service directly, and is located just a mile up the road from the last intersection in Brevard. Despite being so close to “civilization”, you’ll feel like you’re separated from it. There are a number of small loops, all of which are situated closely to Davidson River as it flows out of the Pisgah National Forest to the French Broad. It’s really a nice quiet spot that can be enjoyable for the whole family.
Perhaps what makes this Blue Ridge Parkway campground so unique is the ability to go tubing on the river. Yep, not only can you go fishing or swimming, but take a tube down it as well. There are two spots in the campground you can set off from, each featuring a trail back to the top. Alternatively, you can drive up to Coon Tree Picnic Area and then float back down to the campground. It’s a really great way to spend time out of the car, or cool off on a hot, summer day!
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, Mount Mitchell, NC
This is one of those “hidden” gems that I just lucked into finding while doing my initial research on Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds. I put hidden in quotes because there certainly were a lot of people taking advantage of it when we stayed there, despite being only a couple miles off the parkway. Carolina Hemlocks is located inside the Pisgah National Forest, and is operated by FIND Outdoors. FIND Outdoors operates a number of other excellent sites in the area including the Cradle of Forestry north of Brevard.
As part of the recurring theme of campgrounds in North Carolina, Carolina Hemlocks sits along a river. It’s nestled into a bend of the South Toe River, just off of NC 80. A few sites, including the one we stayed at, sit along the river and separated by a trail and some trees. The remaining sites are split between each side of NC 80. When booking, I’d definitely try to get sites 2, 4, 6, 7 as these are the best located.
When you’re camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Carolina Hemlocks, the season and weather will play a big role in what you can do. There aren’t really any trails at this campground, beside the one along the water. However, if you’re here when the weather is warm, there is plenty of room for swimming in the river. It can be a great way to cool down, or even to enjoy a break day that’s a bit out of the way. Travelling in the fall, the surrounding forest will put on a spectacular show of colors for you to enjoy.
Julian Price Campground, Blowing Rock, NC
I think one of the biggest considerations I had when choosing Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds for our trip was how far off the road they were. Fortunately, there were many like Julian Price Campground, which actually straddled the Parkway itself. The only way you could get your campsite setup and ready to go any quicker is if you simply tried to camp at an overlook (which you definitely shouldn’t do).
Besides being right on the parkway, Julian Price Campground is located near a number of other excellent places to visit. If you’re looking to spend more than one day on any portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this would be the spot I’d recommend. You’re only a couple of miles to Blowing Rock, Boone, Grandfather Mountain, and Linn Cove Viaduct. It’s a great spot with so much to explore, especially if you want to connect with those living along one of America’s most beautiful roads.
The campground is split into three different loops, with one on the lake side of the parkway. We stayed on this side, which offers easy access to the lake and some beautiful scenery. However, for some reason, this side seems to be more neglected than the north loops. Go ahead and book your campsite around one of the north loops which have fully modern facilities and larger campsites. That’ll make your stay here while camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway the best experience.
Fancy Gap Cabins & Campground, Fancy Gap, VA
Fancy Gap is not only one of the best places to go camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it also happens to be one of the best hotels along the Blue Ridge Parkway! When decided which I wanted to do, it was ultimately going the more spacious option of staying in their motel. If you choose to stay here you’ll have plenty of options in how. They offer space for RVs and tent camping, in addition to the six single room cabins and eight old-school motel rooms.
Fancy Gap Cabins & Campground is located directly off the parkway in a portion which features low rolling hills and was some of my favorite road miles of the trip. A private, family-owned location the owners are often there to greet you personally, which is a nice touch. The property is well cared for and cherished. Honestly, if they were to ever put it up for sale, I’d consider making an offer. That’s how much I liked this spot.
If you’re tent camping, there are a limited number of spaces. However, these are quite large and could be used for a bigger family trip without needing a second spot. The bath house nearby also features five FULL bathrooms, something that almost no other camp ground is going to offer. RV Campers have more spaces available and the same access to the bath house if needed. Of all the places on my list, this is the one I regularly think about coming back to for a dedicated trip in the future.
Rocky Knob Campground, Floyd, VA
If you like camping at federally maintained sites, then you’re in luck. Rocky Knob Campground is another spot on this list managed by the government. Rocky Knob Campground is situated directly off the parkway at the top of the Rocky Knob Recreation Area. That makes it one of the “official” campgrounds listed by the NPS (along with Julian Price, above). Rocky Knob is the only one of the campgrounds on the Blue Ridge Parkway I’ve included that lack electrical hookups. So keep this in mind before picking it!
What I think makes Rocky Knob such an excellent site for camping are the night skies. Of all the campgrounds on this list, Rocky Knob is the only location classified as having “dark skies”. This means that, on a clear night, there is the possibility to seeing the Milky Way in the sky. That can make for a pretty magical experience in my book. Doubly true if you’ve never really experienced a dark sky before.
There are quite a few points of interest nearby the campground as well. Mabry Mill lies just a few miles to the south, and is home to a wonderful historic site. You’ll also find a number of scenic overlooks of the Rocky Knob area. It’s even possible to hike an older (now unused) portion of the Appalachian Trail and visit an old shelter. It may not be a spot for staying more than a night, but that’s perfect when you’re doing a road trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Lynchburg/Blue Ridge Parkway KOA Holiday, Lynchburg, VA
I’ll admit that I initially left this one off of the list. The decision was really around whether to include a campground that’s part of a chain or not. It’s something I avoided when creating my best hotels list. However, I ultimately decided that this KOA was in fact one of the best campgrounds on the Blue Ridge Parkway and should be included on the list.
KOAs have a varying reputation around the country, but this location was top notch. It features a large number of sites, though they are mostly focused on RVs. The tent camping sites, which we used, were situated down along a nice pond. This was really nice because it allowed for some privacy and away from the slightly more crowded RV area. Since this is a KOA Holiday, there are a number of additional amenities intended for those staying multiple nights. That included a pool, playground, gem mine, and on-site laundry.
However, the location of this KOA Blue Ridge Parkway campground was the real winner. It’s only a couple of miles from the gorgeous Natural Bridge State Park. The James River is also nearby, giving plenty of ways to enjoy some fishing or boating. It can even serve as a great base for hiking along the Appalachian Trail, or any of the other amazing trails nearby. We only stayed a single night here before leaving, but you could easily camp a few nights and really take in what this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway has to offer.
Sherando Lake Recreation Area, Lyndhurst, VA
The final campground on this list is also the closest one to the northern access point of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Depending on your trip, that might mean it’s a bit too close if you started at the top (like us); or it could be the perfect distance as your final night on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The campground and recreation area are located about three miles off the parkway, which is plenty close and has a straightforward access road in.
Sherando Lake is a popular location for not only camping, but recreation for travelers and locals alike. The reason that Sherando Lake is so popular is thanks to its eponymous lake. It offers up a fantastic beach which can be used for swimming in the lake. That’s great if your trip is during the hotter summer months of the year. The lake is also a good spot for bird watching as well. That’s especially true in Spring/Fall where migratory birds will make layovers on their way north/south. A fall trip on the parkway featuring a stop at Sherando Lake can also provide an opportunity for striking photos featuring the fall colors reflecting on the lake.
When booking your site at Sherando Lake, make sure you pay close attention to the details. Loop A doesn’t feature any sites with electrical hookups. If that’s a necessity, then make sure you grab a spot on Loop B or Loop C. Other than this fact, you’ll find that all the sites provide plenty of space and are well maintained. It makes for a nice, simple place to stay when you’re camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Tips For Camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway
I’d be remiss in writing about all these wonderful Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds, and didn’t include some tips for your trip. Some of these tips come directly from our own trip, while others are pulled from additional experiences camping on road trips the last ten years.
- Always know when the sun will set. You’ll want to make sure your daily drive time lets you get into camp and setup before the sun goes down.
- Pack your car strategically. Setup at camp will go much quicker if you’re only taking what you need and pack it effectively. Consider stackable containers as the storage/luggage option of choice.
- Research the season you’re camping in. This is especially important on the Blue Ridge as there can be seasonal road closures, or additional caution needed for bears, etc.
- Plan to take more time than you need each day. Nothing can ruin a trip more than running out of time and having to speed past the sights. Build in extra time to allow for camp setup, breakdown, showers, etc each day.
- Make sure you’ve got the three T’s: Trail Mix, Towels, and Toilet Paper. It might sound strange, but these three items always come in handy when I need them the most.
- Enjoy the overlooks, but don’t try to camp at them. Not only is it against the rules, but there are zero facilities for this. Always stay at an actual campground.
- Bring a portable power source besides your car. I always keep a jump box in the car while camping to make sure that I not only can jump the car if necessary, but to provide an alternate source of power for those sites that lack it (for example, Rocky Knob and Sherando Lake).
- Get a bug net for your car windows. This one is car camping specific, but I’ll never camp without these. It’ll let you roll down the windows and maximize air flow if you’re camping in the car.
These are just a few of the tips I’ve got for camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Honestly, they are pretty effective for any camping trip. If you’ve got other suggestions, please leave them in the comments for other travelers to find and be able to follow!
Final Thoughts on the Best Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds
I loved every place we had a chance to stay at while camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and wish we could have stayed at all of them. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a road trip that I think everyone should undertake at least once. It provides so many opportunities for exploration, both with mother nature but also the towns and cities along its route. I think its important that you craft your experience with this in mind. Camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a wonderful way to take a more laid-back approach to your trip, and one that I highly recommend.
I’ll also note that these aren’t the only campgrounds near the Blue Ridge Parkway that you’ll find. The National Park Service has their own list of eight that you could choose to stay at. Additionally, utilizing Google Maps can allow you to find spots that are located more strategically for each day of your trip. These are both tools I used when planning my trip. So don’t just take my list as the final options available for your perfect trip.
If you find a spot you think I missed and should include, hit me up on one of my social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok) and let me know. If this post helped plan your trip, and you’re feeling super generous, you can tip me through the Ko-Fi box below! Finally, please share on your social media platform of choice!
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