Reservations open at $30 per night, and arriving early matters here. Mount Pisgah Campground sits at roughly 5,300 feet along the places to camp around Blue Ridge Parkway, with three loops organized by use type: one for tents, one for tents and vans, and one for RVs. The campground descends directly off the Parkway, and the access road has drawn enough comments in reviews to warrant a heads-up before you pull in with a larger rig. Maximum RV length is 80 feet, and water hookups are available, though at least one reviewer notes that RV sites run small and close together.
Site quality varies considerably depending on which loop you land in. Tent sites in Loop B tend to offer more separation between neighbors, and several reviewers specifically sought out spots without adjacent campers. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and a food storage lockbox, which is a practical touch in active bear country. Kayla D. notes "tons of birds and some very friendly bunnies as well," though a bear did walk through her camp on the final night. Bring dry firewood; reviewers consistently flag that wood on-site can be damp and difficult to light.
Across the street, the Pisgah Inn has a restaurant, a small camp store with firewood, and overflow parking for extra vehicles, since some sites only accommodate one car. The Mt. Pisgah summit trail leaves from the campground area, and the Frying Pan Mountain Fire Tower draws day hikers as well. Cell service is limited at most sites, with one reviewer finding a slightly better signal up the Parkway at the Mt. Pisgah picnic area parking lot.
October visitors should plan for dramatic temperature swings. One camper arrived for peak fall color and encountered below-freezing overnight temperatures and strong winds, a reminder that the elevation here produces weather that can shift fast. Ted H. found the facilities well-maintained despite the conditions, noting "campground was clean and facilities were well maintained." The campground runs from early May through late October, so shoulder-season campers should pack layers regardless of the forecast.
First-come, first-serve spots tend to disappear by early afternoon on weekends, making a reservation through Recreation.gov the safer approach if you have a specific loop or site type in mind. Mt Pisgah Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway is a nearby listing worth checking for availability comparisons. If the high-elevation forest camping appeals, this is a campground worth planning around rather than leaving to chance.
Description
Overview
One of the most popular of the Parkway's campgrounds, Mount Pisgah Campground is perched in the rolling mountains of western North Carolina on the southernmost end of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. Surrounded by dense hardwood forests at an elevation of 4980 feet, it offers shady, cool respite from the summer heat. Whichever end of the day appeals, spectacular sunrise and sunset panoramic views can be enjoyed from nearby overlooks. Several popular hiking trails, ranging from moderate to strenuous, are accessible from the campground. Drenched in history, this area was once part of the holdings of George Vanderbilt and the site of his hunting camp house, Buck Springs (no longer standing), is close by.
Recreation
Several popular hiking trails, ranging from moderate to difficult, are easily accessible from the campground. The Frying Pan Trail leads adventurers 1.6 miles (2.6 km) south to the Fire Tower at Frying Pan Mountain. Hiking north on the trail you'll arrive at the Pisgah Inn and from there, the Buck Spring Trail leads visitors through the thick hardwood forest and along rocky terrain to the Mt. Pisgah Parking Area. From the parking area it is a 1.6 mile (2.6 km) uphill trek to the top of Mt. Pisgah. The Shut-In Trail is the original route from the Biltmore Estate to the Buck Spring Lodge, and heads north along the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Asheville. The Buck Spring Lodge was a mountain getaway for George Vanderbilt, owner of the famous Biltmore Estate. The North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail follows both the Buck Spring and Shut-In Trails, and connects to trails in Pisgah National Forest.
Facilities
Both RV and tent sites are available at this campground. Modern amenities like flush toilets, drinking water, dump station, and a country store create a comfortable camping experience. Sites come with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for barbecues and marshmallow roasting. In addition to the sites available for advance reservation, several campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk. Mt. Pisgah campground is oftentimes full each weekend and holidays.
Natural Features
Mount Pisgah is part of the Appalachian Mountain Range, an area of the country with scenery that never disappoints, whether blanketed in wildflowers in the spring or bursting with red, orange, and yellow hues in the fall. 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 Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. At an elevation of 4,980 feet (1,518 m), Mount Pisgah offers moderate to cool temperatures during camping seasons.
Nearby Attractions
The beautiful Pisgah Inn is located adjacent to the campground and offers a restaurant and country store. Additionally, historic Asheville, North Carolina is about 20 miles away, offering grocery stores, fuel and medical facilities. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also surrounded by 2 other national parks. Shenandoah National Park is to the immediate north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mt. Pisgah Campground is closer to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMount Pisgah Campground is located in North Carolina near Mills River
Directions
From Interstate 40 west, take exit 47 and turn south onto Highway 191. Stay in the right hand lane and turn south again onto the Blue Ridge Parkway at the North Carolina Arboretum; enjoy the amazing views and nine tunnels along the Blue Ridge Parkway for 15 miles (24 km). You will pass the Mt. Pisgah Parking Area, the Country Store and the Pisgah Inn on the left. The campground is on the right immediately after the Pisgah Inn. From Waynesville, North Carolina, take Highway 276 for about 22 miles to The Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn north onto the parkway and continue four miles to the campground on the left.
Address
Milepost 408.8 Blue Ridge Parkway
Across from Pisgah Inn: 408 Blue Ridge Parkway, Canton, NC 28716
Canton, NC 28716
Coordinates
35.4027778 N
82.7566667 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 6/30/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 6/30/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 6/30/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 6/30/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 33 min from Asheville, NC
- 1 hr 31 min from Greenville, SC
- 1 hr 32 min from Spartanburg, SC
