This page covers the mountain side of western North Carolina outside the Great Smoky Mountains, and it is part of our camping destinations guide to western North Carolina. It explains how the territory is organized and which official land managers run the public campgrounds, then points to the town guides that list campgrounds in each area.
How camping in the WNC mountains is organized
Camping in this region falls into three broad groups: public campgrounds on national forest land, campgrounds along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and privately run campgrounds and RV parks. Each group has its own manager, its own season and its own reservation process, so it helps to know which one a campground belongs to before planning.
Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests
According to the Forest Service, North Carolina has four national forests: Croatan, Uwharrie, Pisgah and Nantahala. The Forest Service describes Pisgah National Forest as covering more than 500,000 acres along the eastern edge of the western North Carolina mountains, with three ranger districts: Pisgah, Grandfather and Appalachian. See the Forest Service Pisgah National Forest page.
The Forest Service lists Nantahala National Forest at 531,148 acres in the mountains and valleys of southwestern North Carolina, with elevations from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet along the Hiwassee River in Cherokee County. Its ranger districts are Cheoah, Nantahala and Tusquitee. See the Forest Service Nantahala National Forest page.
The Forest Service also posts a Pisgah Ranger District dispersed camping regulations alert on its Pisgah page. Dispersed camping rules and area closures change, so read the current alerts on the Forest Service site before choosing a spot outside a developed campground.
Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds
The National Park Service says the Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles across North Carolina and Virginia and includes multiple campgrounds. The NPS camping page lists five in North Carolina, by milepost: Doughton Park (239.2), Julian Price (297.0), Linville Falls (316.4), Crabtree Falls (339.5) and Mt Pisgah (408.8). For each, the NPS states a season of May through late October, weather permitting. It also says Doughton Park and Julian Price can be reserved through Recreation.gov. See the NPS Blue Ridge Parkway camping page.
The NPS adds that Doughton Park allows only bundled firewood that is heat-treated and certified by the USDA, and that Julian Price also requires certified heat-treated firewood. Check the NPS page for the rules that apply to the campground you choose.
Town guides in the WNC mountains
Our directory groups campgrounds by town. These guides cover the towns in this region, and each links to the matching listings.
- Camping near Asheville, NC: our directory currently lists seven campgrounds here, including Lake Powhatan Campground and French Broad River Campground. There is also an Asheville RV camping guide.
- Camping near Boone, NC: two listings, Flintlock Family Campground and Boone KOA Campground.
- Camping in Maggie Valley, NC: three listings, Stonebridge RV Resort & Campgrounds, Hillbilly Creekside Campground and Cross Creek RV Park.
- Camping near Brevard, NC: three listings, Davidson River Campground, Boylston Creek RV Park and Cabins and Twin Ponds RV Park.
Counts reflect the directory today and will change as listings are added. For guides to specific campgrounds in the region, see Curtis Creek camping, North Mills River Recreation Area camping and Standing Indian camping.
For the Smokies side of the state, including Cherokee and Bryson City, use the Great Smoky Mountains camping guide.
FAQ
Who runs the public campgrounds in the WNC mountains?
Mostly the Forest Service (Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests) and the National Park Service (Blue Ridge Parkway). Private campgrounds are run by their owners.
When do Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds open?
The National Park Service lists May through late October, weather permitting, for the North Carolina Parkway campgrounds.
Can I reserve a Parkway campsite?
The NPS says Doughton Park and Julian Price can be reserved through Recreation.gov. Check the NPS camping page for the others.
Can I bring firewood from home?
The NPS states that Doughton Park and Julian Price require USDA-certified, heat-treated firewood. Check the rules for any campground you plan to use.
Where do I check closures?
Use the alerts on the Forest Service North Carolina site and the NPS Blue Ridge Parkway camping page.
Seasons, reservation rules and closures change, so confirm before you go with the Forest Service, the National Park Service and Recreation.gov.
