Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Blue Ridge Parkway
A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official provider or park-specific camping instructions published by the NPS. Select the named campground and verify its dates, access and site rules.
Julian Price Park Campground ↗
Julian Price Campground sits beside Price Lake, a pristine body of water that sparkles against the backdrop of rolling mountains. The surrounding forest offers a colorful assortment of wildflowers in the spring and vivid orange and red foliage in the fall. Canoes can be rented at the lake, and a dock offers opportunities for fishing. Area hiking trails include Price Lake, Boone Fork, Green Knob, and Tanawha trails. Campers may see bears, grouse, turkeys, owls, hawks and more.
Reservations: Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, advance reservations can be made for some campsites up to six months in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: The campground has a dump station and potable water, but NO water or electric hookups. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Invasive insects and diseases that live in firewood are a growing threat to forests along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the surrounding region. Tree-killing insects and diseases can hitch-hike hundreds of miles on firewood when people bring wood into campgrounds. Counties in many states have federal or state quarantines in place which prohibit moving firewood. These quarantines were issued to…
Linville Falls Campground ↗
Due to impacts for Hurricane Helene Linville Falls campground will be closed to all camping in 2026.
Reservations: Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, advance reservations can be made for some campsites up to six months in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877/) 444-6777.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: The campground has a dump station and potable water, but NO water or electric hookups. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Invasive insects and diseases that live in firewood are a growing threat to forests along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the surrounding region. Tree-killing insects and diseases can hitch-hike hundreds of miles on firewood when people bring wood into campgrounds. Counties in many states have federal or state quarantines in place which prohibit moving firewood. These quarantines were issued to…
Rocky Knob Campground ↗
Located in the Rocky Knob Recreation area, surrounded by 4,000 acres of forest, the campground is ideal for a traditional camping experience. The site offers easy access to the Rock Castle Gorge Trail, a 10.8-mile loop trail ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 3,572 feet. Rock Castle Gorge, a 1,500-foot ravine carved by the waters of Rock Castle Creek, is the focal point of this trail, offering hikers breathtaking scenery.
Reservations: Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, advance reservations can be made for some campsites up to six months in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: The campground has a dump station and potable water, but NO water or electric hookups. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Invasive insects and diseases that live in firewood are a growing threat to forests along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the surrounding region. Tree-killing insects and diseases can hitch-hike hundreds of miles on firewood when people bring wood into campgrounds. Counties in many states have federal or state quarantines in place which prohibit moving firewood. These quarantines were issued to…
Crabtree Falls Campground ↗
Due to impacts for Hurricane Helene, Crabtree Falls Campground will be closed to all camping in 2026.
Reservations: Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, advance reservations can be made for some campsites up to six months in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: The campground has a dump station and potable water, but NO water or electric hookups. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Invasive insects and diseases that live in firewood are a growing threat to forests along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the surrounding region. Tree-killing insects and diseases can hitch-hike hundreds of miles on firewood when people bring wood into campgrounds. Counties in many states have federal or state quarantines in place which prohibit moving firewood. These quarantines were issued to…
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
NPS lists RV access at Julian Price Park Campground. The campground has a dump station and potable water, but NO water or electric hookups.
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Arts and Culture, Live Music, Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Biking, Road Biking, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
The parkway is a 469-mile-long scenic road connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Numerous federal and state highways provide access to the parkway. Milepost markers are positioned every mile along the parkway, starting at 0 in Virginia and ending at 469 in North Carolina. We suggest using a map to identify the area you want to visit, as GPS directions often do not incorporate the parkway's milepost system. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
The weather on the parkway can vary widely along its 469-mile route. Precipitation is possible any time of the year. Winter can be cold and snowy, especially at the higher elevations. Spring and fall can have large temperature swings, from near freezing to over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot in the lower elevations, but the highest elevations remain cooler. Summertime thunderstorms are common, so be prepared for weather changes.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Mabry Mill
Located in Virginia's Plateau district, picturesque Mabry Mill is one of the most iconic features of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Linville Falls
The Linville Gorge offers visitors the opportunity to learn about fascinating geology and view magnificent waterfalls.
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.