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4.0

out of 5

13 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 23, 2025

Linville Gorge Primitive Camping

We often camp in and around the Linville Gorge area, mostly in the primitive campsites down in the Gorge on Linville River.

We stayed before Hurricane Helene but haven't been back since then.

There are primitive sites along the foot trail (Linville Gorge Trail) but you still need to call to let the park ranger/main office know when you're planning to camp and provide how many people will be camping.

There are not great tent sites along the trail since it's at the bottom of the Gorge (not much flat ground and rocky). But there are some nice spots further south from Linville Falls. We usually hammock camp and trees hanging has more options.

Hiking out is moderate to hard as it's straight up through switchbacks and good elevation gain.

Pack everything out and practice LNT in this area. You may also be able to trout fish in Linville River if it's trout season and you're licensed. Speckled and Rainbow trout are beautiful in this area. Most fall within the 8-12 inch range. Check bait restrictions. It's almost always no live bait allowed when we've camped there.

Siteprimitive
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Brian G., April 23, 2025
Reviewed Jun. 21, 2023

Breath Taking views

The road up to the campsites is pretty steep and bumpy. Wouldn't recommend a car but saw several go through. There are a handful of sites on either side of the road. Some have steep drop offs off the side of the mountain so be careful. A few group sized sites with misc trails to wonder. Very quiet and serene but only 30 minutes from town.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Sara S., June 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Sara S., June 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Sara S., June 21, 2023
Reviewed Mar. 21, 2023

Good rest

Very primitive but a great and free place to get some dark pea e and quiet

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Arthur D., March 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Arthur D., March 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Arthur D., March 21, 2023
Reviewed Feb. 20, 2023

Easy

It was very easy to get a spot but there weren’t great views and there is not much to do

Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by John R., February 20, 2023
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  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by John R., February 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by John R., February 20, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 2, 2022

Off of NC-105

We drove up on a Saturday and it wasn’t too crowded, definitely people around but plenty of open campsites. There were a couple of good washouts in the road, so 4WD or AWD would be recommended but maybe not required. Several good spots to pull in with a vehicle. We found a big spot but it was right next to the road (most of the campsites were), but it was still quiet enough - only one car that drove by at night.

We had a view of Table Rock and plenty of space for the two of us and our dog.

3 stars because of the proximity of the campsites to the road, as well as many of the campsites needing to be picked up after the last campers (we checked out at least 10 other spots before deciding where we wanted to stay).

Overall, a nice visit!

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Raquella 🥸., April 2, 2022
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Raquella 🥸., April 2, 2022
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2021

Quick Stop for the night

It was very packed lots of people. Seemed very beautiful except the only spot we found was on a hill and it was very rocky but it was good enough for the night.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Noah S., August 9, 2021
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Reviewed Jul. 8, 2021

Isolated and gorgeous

Primitive campsites for tent/ENO camping. Which is personally my favorite kind of camping. It’s simple and has breathtaking views

Siteanywhere
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Peter H., July 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Peter H., July 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Peter H., July 8, 2021
Reviewed Apr. 16, 2021

Good Times at the Gorge!

These are pretty decent sites. You just pull off the road, set up and enjoy the camping experience. 
We hiked down to the gorge and also enjoyed the dispersed camping available right along the riverside, which was pretty cool but... that hike back up is a DOOZY especially with a pack on. I would recommend it. The payoff of the views is highly worth any trail difficulties. 
This was a really clean, well respected area. I liked to see that most other campers were clearly doing their part to Leave no Trace.

SiteDispersed
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Julie L., April 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Julie L., April 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Julie L., April 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Julie L., April 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Julie L., April 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Julie L., April 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Julie L., April 16, 2021
Reviewed Dec. 27, 2020

Nice spot off a dirt road

Lots of pull offs off a dirt road. Beware if you’re coming from the south google tries to take you through private property. Take 221 to linville falls, right on 183, and right onto kistler memorial highway. It’s a dirt road but no issues with my Subaru Forester. I camped here in December 2020 and didn’t see anyone else. Plenty of wood, but not much of a view from my camp anyway. Lots of camps.

Reviewed Nov. 3, 2020

Perfect Primitive Camping/Backpacking

Great free primitive camping. If all you need is a fire and a tent, this is the spot for you. The Linville Loop is also an amazing 3-4 day backpacking trip for anyone up to the challenge.

  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Jolie L., November 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Jolie L., November 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Jolie L., November 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Jolie L., November 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Jolie L., November 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Jolie L., November 3, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 28, 2020

Ok

Stayed here a for a few nights in July of 2020. Rain was an issue and bugs were pretty bad. Lots of sites along the road with fire pits. Very difficult to get a fire started due to how damp everything was. The road was a bit rough in spots but 4x4 isn’t necessary. I hiked down to the river where the waterfall is and that was pretty cool. Moderate difficulty on that trail.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Monte W., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Monte W., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Monte W., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Monte W., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping--Western Section, NC 128 he by Monte W., September 28, 2020
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