Camping spots near Blowing Rock, North Carolina range from primitive backcountry sites to full-service campgrounds, situated between 3,500-5,000 feet elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This higher elevation creates 10-15°F cooler temperatures than surrounding lowland areas, making summer camping particularly comfortable with typical July highs around 75°F. Winter camping requires specialized cold-weather gear as temperatures frequently drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Creek exploration: Flintlock Campground offers excellent water activities with a beautiful stream running through the property. According to camper Logan S., "This campground has a very nice little creek running through it... since it's right outside Boone NC it's very close to shops, restaurants and hiking trails." Families particularly enjoy this feature, with Robyn C. noting, "There's a beautiful mini river running through the campground with a lot of rocks to jump on. My children spent hours every day exploring."
Fishing opportunities: At Julian Price Park Campground, visitors can fish in the adjacent lake. One camper reports, "The lake is hatchery supported, and I did witness someone catching a fish as we walked along the lake trail." For more fishing options, Von B. mentions, "Just upgrade the sites. Night woody dark and quit. Kayak put in fishing is good some spots on the water."
Hiking mountain trails: Grandfather Mountain State Park offers challenging but rewarding hiking experiences. Laura Z. describes it as "a tough hike but well worth it! Make sure you factor in every mile may take up to 1 hr so bring plenty of water." The park features rocky terrain with unique elements: "Trails all around and beautiful views of those Blue Ridge mountains... We very much recommend hiking the 3 peaks - MacRae, Attic Window and Calloway. A very hard and challenging trail with cables and ladders."
What campers like
Cooler summer temperatures: Campers at Blue Bear Mountain Camp appreciate the climate benefits of higher elevation camping. Mandy R. points out that "the weather is so much cooler in the summer there (70-80 in July!)" while Raven B. notes "The constant light breeze and lack of mosquitoes is a treat."
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer good site separation. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, Kristen J. reports, "The campsites are very spaced out. The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat." Similarly, Myron C. observed at Julian Price Park Campground that "many of the sites are walk-in sites" and recommends checking site photos before reserving as "some of the sites are small or sloped."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathhouses. At Grandfather Campground, Nicole L. notes "The campsites were amazing and ours backed up to a state park. In late July it was cool in the evenings." Phil W. was impressed with Linville Falls Campground, stating, "These are the cleanest bathrooms we've ever seen. The on-site store is a life saver and the hosts are very helpful."
What you should know
Campsite reservations: Book well in advance, especially for premium sites. At Julian Price Park Campground, Kirsten J. advises, "Many of the sites in the A loop are reservable, and they have been reserved for several weeks (maybe months) in advance. They are the best sites as far as seeing the lake and sometimes because they are larger."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic sound. At Flintlock Campground, Ashley M. notes, "Only downside is the road noise from Hwy. 105 which can be extremely noisy." Similarly, at Julian Price Park Campground, Myron C. warns about sites in A loop: "You can hear traffic from the Blue Ridge Parkway all day long except for two to three hours in the middle of the night."
Weather preparedness: The mountain climate can change rapidly. According to Steve V. at Honey Bear Campground, "Boone sits at 3,333 feet (surrounding mountains go up to 6K), so even in the middle of the summer you'll find very comfortable day and night temperatures." However, storms can develop quickly, as Scott D. experienced at Blue Bear Mountain Camp: "After a string of rough camps and brutal temps this mountain spot was so welcome."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly features: Amy P. recommends Honey Bear Campground, explaining, "Very family friendly. Sites are relatively clean, easy to park at, bath house is clean & easily accessible. They even have a 'coffee shop'. The staff does a great job making sure the quiet hours are really quiet and no craziness happens."
Consider cabin options for easier family trips: Spacious Skies Bear Den offers comfortable cabins. Timothy H. shares, "My two teenage boys and I stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture... The resort is kind of small but there are a few playgrounds and a small pond to go swimming and fishing in, and several hiking trails."
Check for planned activities: Many campgrounds organize events for children. According to Karyn H. who visited Honey Bear Campground, "If you're into a bit of glamping. This place works! Good for kids - rootbeer float nights, outdoor movies with marshmellow pits, crerks to splash in. Full bathhouses, laundry & eben a gameroom. My kids loved the tire swings & animals!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: At many mountain campgrounds, prepare for uneven terrain. At Grandfather Campground, Scott B. observed, "Beautiful piece of property and close to town. We camped on the river and looks like they are making some improvements to the property." However, he also noted, "Drawbacks are the sites were close together."
Accessibility considerations: Mountain roads can be challenging for larger rigs. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, Kristen J. cautions, "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there."
Utility connections vary: Check what hookups are available before booking. At Boone KOA, Dryw B. explains, "The one downside was that the sites are narrow... I get why the sites are narrow. It's because the campground is in the mountains and they had to grade the sites out of the side of the hill." For those needing full hookups, Mandy R. points out about Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "They do not have water hookups - you fill your camper tank with water at the office area. They have spots with electric hookups. They have a dump station where you can empty your tanks on your way out."
