Overview

Located in a dense pine canopy, within hiking distance of Linville Gorge, and along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls Campground is an ideal location for your next family camping excursion. Linville River, which winds beside the campground, is stocked for fishing, and the location is central to many area attractions including the Linville Falls waterfall, which has three waterfall overlooks in a one-mile hike.

Facilities

The campground offers comfortable tent or RV camping, with the convenience of flush toilets, dump station, and drinking water. Grills/fire rings and picnic tables at each site create a perfect environment for family barbecues or late-night marshmallow roasting.

In addition to the 39 sites available for advance reservation, 25 campsites are available on a first come, first-served basis. The availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. The sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk.

Natural Features

Linville Gorge is a vast designated Wilderness area that sits on 11,786 acres of rolling hills and thick forest. The gorge surrounds the Linville River, which is located some 1,400 feet below the ridge, creating a stunning canyon that has earned the nickname "The Grand Canyon of North Carolina."



The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway with plenty of natural attractions and recreational opportunities for visitors. Aside from natural features, the parkway is also a cross-section of Appalachian mountain history. Stretching almost 500 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia, it encompasses some of the oldest historical sites of both pre-historic and early European settlements.



The surrounding forest offers hemlock, white pine, oaks, hickory and birch trees, along with a colorful assortment of wildflowers in the spring and an epic array of orange and red shades of leaves in the autumn.

Recreation

The Linville Falls area is a hiker's paradise, and the campground provides easy access to several trails that allow visitors to experience the stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. 

Once at the Linville Gorge, visitors can hike more challenging trails down to the river, where fishing for trout is a popular pastime.

Linville Falls is another must-see, carrying water from the river over several layers of falls, ending in a spectacular 45-foot waterfall pouring into the sparkling riverbed below.

Duggers Creek Falls: accessible from the Linville Falls Visitor Center on a small loop trail. See views of the falls from the foot bridge. These are native brook trout waters (fishing regulations apply).

Lost Cove Cliff Overlook: view Brown Mountain and see the Brown Mountain Lights--a natural occurrence which is believed to be caused by natural gases. A good spot to view hawks and peregrine falcons in the spring and fall.

Nearby Attractions

Linville Caverns, a privately maintained cave just south of Linville Falls, offers guided tours year-round.

Important Notices

• Firewood Regulation: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought onto the Parkway. Campers may still collect dead and down wood in the immediate vicinity of campgrounds and picnic areas. This rule is strictly enforced!

• Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

• Some campsites at this facility are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Status of these sites is not available online.
• There are no showers. No electric, water or sewer hook-ups are available.
• All tents must be placed on prepared pads where provided.
• Only one tent is allowed per site unless there is adequate space on the provided tent pad. Sites are for use by parties not to exceed six people unless specifically designated as Group Camping.
• Group sites have a maximum of 20 people and a minimum of 12. If you reserve a group site with less than 12 people, park personnel reserve the right to re-assign you to a non-group campsite(s).
• Hammock camping is permitted, but campers must abide by posted regulations.

• Vehicles are to be parked on the pavement of an assigned site or in designated parking areas. A maximum of two vehicles may be parked in each site (i.e. trailer and car, two cars, two motorcycles). Most site are limited to only one vehicle.

• Generator use is prohibited from 9:00 pm to 8:00 am.
• CAUTION: Bears frequent the area. Be aware! Keep a clean camp and store all food or scented items in your car or provided food lockers. DO NOT HANG TRASH FROM THE LANTERN POST.

Available Activities

• Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
• Hiking - Hiking
• Fishing - Fishing
• Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs
• Camping - Camping
• Photography - Photography
• Picnicking - Picnicking
• Visitor Center - Visitor Center
• Star Gazing - Star Gazing
• Birding - Birding
• Day Use Area - Day Use Area

Directions

From I-40 East, take Highway 221 north to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Linville Falls. Go north for one mile to Linville Falls Spur Road, located at Milepost 317, and continue a half mile to the campground.

Contact Information

Phone: 828-765-7818 (MAY-OCTOBER)

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip