Crabtree Falls Campground
Blue Ridge Parkway
What many consider to be the hidden gem of Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds, Crabtree Falls Campground offers a quiet serenity that appeals to campers as well as wildlife. It is a magical place when mist hangs in the air, as coyote and deer tiptoe through and barred owls call out. Crabtree Falls, a spectacular 70-foot waterfall which is one of the most photographed in the area, is accessible from the campground.
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 barbeques or late-night marshmallow roasting.
In addition to the 27 sites available for advance reservations, 54 campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. Availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk.
Notifications and Alerts
All Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds and Backcountry Camping Areas are currently closed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene. Mount Pisgah Campground, Crabtree Falls Campground, Linville Falls Campground, Julian Price Campground and Doughton Park Campground will be closed for the rest of the 2024 camping season. Rocky Knob Campground and Peaks of Otter Campground are closed through Sunday October 6, note this closure may be extended. The 3 Backcountry camping areas, Johns River Road, Basin Cove and Rock Castle Gorge are closed through October 31, note this closure may be extended. For more updates and current info check www.nps.gov/blri
Need to Know
- Firewood Regulation: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packaging 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.
- 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 sites 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!
Natural Features
Named for the crabapple trees which once polka-dotted the countryside with their brilliant pink blossoms, the 253-acre Crabtree Falls Recreation Area in North Carolina contains meadows which still speak of the area's long history as a farming community. Bursting with wildflowers (including hawthorne, beard tongue, mountain laurel and gentian) in the spring, the meadows abut towering hardwood forests of oak, birch, and hickory, and are often dotted with thickets of rhododendrons. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles--from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The Parkway offers many natural attractions and recreational opportunities for visitors.
Nearby Attractions
Orchard at Altapass: Started after the Revolutionary War, this orchard has a long and interesting history.
Recreation
Crabtree Falls Trail - a 3-mile loop trail considered moderate to strenuous. The trail has many wildflowers, towering trees, and lots of stairs! Crabtree Falls is a 70 -foot waterfall, plunging into a deep pool. Be sure to carry drinking water.
Mount Mitchell State Park - highest peak east of the Mississippi: 15 miles south of Crabtree Falls Campground. Enjoy the observation tower with a 360-degree view or the Crest of the Black Mountains Trail and CCC-era log picnic shelters.
Green Knob Lookout Tower - a restored CCC Fire Tower: 10 miles south of Crabtree Falls Campground. A half-mile climb from the Green Knob Overlook. Enjoy beautiful views of Mt Mitchell and the Black Mountain peaks.
The Museum of North Carolina Minerals - at Milepost 331, about 9 miles north of Crabtree Falls Campground. The museum highlights the area's rich mineral resources and it's mining heritage. Discover hands-on, interactive exhibits that explore the creation of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the 3,000 year-old saga of mining.
Overmountain Victory Trail - recognizing the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, patriots from what is now East Tennessee, who crossed the Unaka Mountains and then fought the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Access the Orchard Trail portion from behind the Minerals Museum and hike about 5 miles to Lynn Gap.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
c/o Revenue and Fee Business Specialist Blue Ridge Parkway 199 Hemphill Knob Road Asheville NC 28803
Physical Address
Milepost 339.5 Blue Ridge Parkway
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 828-675-5444 (MAY - OCTOBER)
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north about 40 miles to Milepost 339.5.
Available Campsites
- Site 90, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 31, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 40, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 54, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 27, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 76, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 70, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 26, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 88, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 49, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 44, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 53, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 93, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 34, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 85, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 38, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 5, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 25, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 46, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 59, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 29, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 51, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 37, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 65, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 84, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 82, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 73, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 30, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 64, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 83, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 52, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 35, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 39, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 67, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 66, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 77, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 72, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 60, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 42, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 43, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 74, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 58, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 28, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 57, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 36, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 78, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 47, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 48, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 45, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 24, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 56, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 63, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 81, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 61, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 91, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 41, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 92, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 75, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 33, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 7, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 50, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 89, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 80, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 55, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
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