Blue Ridge Parkway	HISTORY	|	HIKING & CAMPING	|	TRAVELOGUE	|	DESTINATIONS	|	PHOTOS	|	LINKS
	NCNatural's Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide Parkway Camping     NCNATURAL HOME | ABOUT US | CONTACT

Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in America. Winding its way through some of the oldest and most captivating mountains in the world, the Parkway provides access to a wide range of natural and cultural resources. Many visitors come to the area to hike, fish, or photograph waterfalls. Others go hunting for local crafts, old-time fiddling, and home-cooked meals. Whatever your aim, we hope you have a rewarding and memorable visit.

The campground areas along the Parkway offer many facilities and activities, including scheduled seasonal activities for adults and children, campsites equipped with a fireplace and table, and self-guiding hiking trails. The following rules and regulations are designed to helpmake your stay as pleasant and safe as possible. Please take the regulations to heart. They are intended to help maintain and preserve the magnificent, natural and cultural features of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Season Length
All Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds are open approximately May 1 through October 31. Winter camping is occasionlly available, weather permitting. Inquire in advance. During the winter, when no fee is charged, services are limited; only chemical toilets and frost free faucets are provided.

Camping Limit
Camping is limited to a total of 21 days between May and October 31, in any one campground.

Facilities
Drinking water, comfort stations and RV dump stations are provided. Each campsite has a table and fireplace. There are no electric hook-ups and no shower or laundry facilities.

Daily Campground Fee
The charge per night for each campground site is $12.00, plus $2 each for more than 2 adults. (Fee amount is subject to change.) The daily permit is valid only at the campground where purchased and until noon the following day. Golden Age Passports (62 or older) and Golden Access Passports (blind or permanently disabled) entitle visitors to a 50% discount on campground fees. Passports can be obtained at any visitor center or campground along the Parkway and at most federally - operated recreation areas.

Availability
Camping is available on a "first come, first served" basis. Except for designated group camping, reservations are not accepted and, most of the time, are not needed. Tent sites are rarely unavailable. Recreational vehicle sites do sometimes fill, especially on holiday weekends and at the Parkway's more popular campgrounds. For those concerned about the availability or wanting to avoid crowds, some lesser used campgrounds include Roanoke Mountain in Virginia and Crabtree Meadows in North Carolina.

Checkout Time
Checkout time is 12:00 noon. Handicap Access. All listed campgrounds have at least one wheelchair useable site.

RVs and Trailers
Parkway campgrounds have sites that will accommodate trailers up to 30 feet in length. Dump stations are available at all campgrounds; no water or electrical hookups are available.

Camping Ethics
In fairness to all campers, please pay only for sites that you occupy each day. For security's sake, don't leave your site or your possessions unattended for extended periods of time. Please report all lost and found articles to a Ranger. Respect quiet hours and always try to minimize noise. For many people quiet is as much a part of the park experience as spectacular scenery.

Back-Country Camping
Limited back-country camping is available at Basin Cove in Doughton Park (919/372-8568) and Rock Castle Gorge in Rocky Knob District (703/745-9660). Permits must be requested in advance. Check with a Park Ranger to learn about access to neighboring U.S. Forest Service back-country areas along the Parkway.

Other Camping
Camping information on this page pertains only to the campgrounds administered by the National Park Service-Blue Ridge Parkway unit. There is also camping available nearby in Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia, Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina and at Mt. Mitchell State Park in NC, as well as at private campgrounds located convenient to the Parkway.

For additional Blue Ridge Parkway information, call (828) 298-0398 or write Blue Ridge Parkway, 200 BB&T Building,One Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801. (5-93)

The following rules and regulations are established under the authority of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Their purpose is to protect you and your propefty, preserve the park's resources and facilities, and ensure that all visitors have a safe and enjoyable stay.

Designated Campsites
Camping is permitted only at designated sites. Sites are for use by a single family or parties not exceeding six persons. All tents must be on pads provided. Only one tent is allowed per site unless there is adequate space on a single tent pad. Tents are not allowed in sites without tent pads.

Recreational Vehicles
RVs are allowed in tent sections only when all existing RV sites are occupied and adequate parking for RVs is available in the tent area.

Side Mirrors
When motor vehicles are not towing a second vehicle, auxilliary side mirrors should be detached.

Parking and Driving
Vehicles are to be parked on the pavement of an assigned site or in designated parking areas. Only two vehicles may be parked in each site (i.e., trailer and car, two cars, two motorcycles). The speed limit in the campground is 15 mph. Bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds, all-terrain vehicles, and other forms of motorized vehicles are not permitted on hiking trails. With the exception of mopeds, all motorized vehicles operated on public roads must be properly registered and the operators licensed in accordance with state laws. The use of skateboards, roller skates, and other coasting devices is not permitted in the park or campground.

Fires
Fires are permitted only in the fireplace provided. Gas grills and stoves are allowed. Extinguish all fires before leaving the campground or picnic area. Do not leave any fire unattended.

Wood Gathering
Wood gathering for use as fuel in park facilities is limited to dead material laying on the ground within 300 yards of campgrounds and picnic areas.

Metal Detectors
Metal detectors are prohibited.

Disturbance of Animal or Plant Life
Wildlife must not be disturbed in any way. Hunting and trapping animals are prohibited. Do not interfere with animals by feeding, touching, or teasing them. Store food in a locked vehicle to avoid attracting bears and other wildlife.

Plant life
Plant life is protected, too. Do not drive nails into trees or strip bark, leaves, or branches from trees or shrubs. Use the lantern posts provided at each site. Do not hang lanterns from trees or loop them over branches or vegetation; these practices always damage and sometimes kill trees and vegetation.

Dogs, Cats, and Pets
All dogs, cats, and other pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet or under physical restraint at all times while in the park. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Clean Camps
Campgrounds are operated on an honor cleanup system. Campers are responsible for maintaining clean camps at all times. Thoroughly clean campsites before leaving: remove camping equipment and dispose of all trash in dumpsters located in the campgrounds. Trashbags are available at designated areas.

Drainage and Refuse
Campers must dispose of their waste water at public restrooms or dump stations only.

Use of Hydrants
Cleaning fish, washing dishes and clothes at water hydrants is prohibited. Trailer hoses may not be connected to water hydrants.

For Your Neighbor's Sake
Respect quiet hours between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Please keep in mind that continuous, loud generator or audio equipment noise, at any time of the day or evening, disturbs other campers.

Virginia Camping
Otter Creek	60.9	45	24	--	552	800
Peaks of Otter	86.0	82	59	62	5322	2565
Roanoke Mountain	120.5	74	30	--	1142	1500
Rocky Knob	167.1	81	28	72	4200	3100
North Carolina Camping
Doughton Park	239.0	110	25	56	6430	3600
Julian Price	297.0	129	68	100	3900	3400
Linville Falls	316.3	50	20	100	996	3000
Crabtree Meadows	339.5	71	22	82	253	3750
Mt. Pisgah	408.6	70	70	50	690	5000