Best Tent Camping near Hickory, NC

Julian Price Campground is part of the Julian Price Memorial Park, which is along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the northern part of North Carolina. I have heard about this park for many years, so I wanted to finally camp there. It is an older park, and it shows. We stayed at site A4, and I chose this site for a few reasons. It was close to the lake, but unfortunately, we couldn’t see the lake from the site. 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. The worst part I discovered about sites in the A loop is that you can hear traffic from the Blue Ridge Parkway all day long except for two to three hours in the middle of the night(about 1:30 to 4:30). On average, you can count on about twenty-five vehicles every five minutes(I know because I counted). It doesn’t help that the parkway is under construction and the road is gravel, which makes the sounds of vehicles even louder. The restrooms in A loop are old and need updating. There are no showers in A loop. The only showers are between B and D loops, which are on the other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. On the positive side, the showers in a new bath house, and they are private shower/restroom units. We rode through all of the loops to see what the other sites were like, and some of the sites are seldom used if the picnic tables and surrounding vegetation is any indication. Some of the picnic tables are covered in moss. Those were mostly in the sites that were small or sloped. For that reason, it is a good idea to look at the photos on the website for each site before reserving. Many of the sites are walk-in sites and you can set up before the 3:00 time for reservable sites. As far as activities, there is no swimming, but fishing is allowed. There is also a boat ramp, and you can rent canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. The lake is hatchery supported, and I did witness someone catching a fish as we walked along the lake trail. While we were in this area, we saw several small deer, including one that came through our campsite. Our campsite was spacious, and it had a concrete picnic table, a fire ring, a lantern pole, and a tent pad. The tent pad needed some maintenance since the dirt had washed onto it and made it slightly sloped. Not until later did I discover that there was a tall dead tree next to our tent. Only the top part was dead, but it could be a potential danger. The site next to ours was sectioned off because of a dead tree. If you are staying in A loop, I give it two stars, especially since the sites and bath house need maintenance, and because of the road noise. If you are staying in B or D loop, I would give it three or four stars. The sites in E loop are mainly for RVs and have less shade. One section in the A loop also is an open field and has limited shade. Overall, it’s not a bad choice for a campground, but it needs updating. What it has going for it is location. It is along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cone Memorial Park is down the road, which is a great destination in itself. There are lots of hiking trails and the beauty of the mountains is spectacular.

This campground is minutes from Blowing Rock NC, which makes it super popular. There are restaurants and grocery stores nearby. There are two sides: the A-side is next to the lake but has no showers, just flush toilets, water spigots, and a food storage area. The other side has newer bathhouses.

RV spots have electric hookups, tent spots do not. Many on lakeside have to be reserved in advance and are not as isolated as they may appear on the recreation.gov website. If you are thinking the “first come first served campsites” that are lakeside will be up for grabs at any given time you will be disappointed. I would recommend reserving one if possible. Tent pads are decent and will have some small gravel in them, they will for a standard six persons tent but that’s about it. Fire rings are standard size and sites have a lantern post, along with a cement top picnic table.

Note that if you are towing a trailer and tenting you may have issues finding a place to park. Solid campground with friendly staff.

Had a great time at Julian Price Campground! ⛺️ 🌲 

We had 2 groups and reserved sites B29 & B30 because they seemed more remote with water, restrooms, and trail access nearby. I could not have been happier about our sites!

LOVELY trees, shade, and close to everything we needed. This is a BIG campground and some sections have sites all smooshed together – we had plenty of room to ourselves at the edge of the woods by the start of the Boone Fork Trail. This trail connects to several others and is an awesome spot for wanderers to go for a walk or pick up some fallen branches to process while you mess around at camp or cook dinner.

We had a fantastic time and would love to go again! 

Notes: 

• We went August 2021, so it was really busy. People getting in a bit of camping before school starts… and maybe also looking to escape being cooped up during the pandemic. 

• Weather was low 80's daytime, 60's nighttime. Rained a couple of hours one evening, but clear otherwise. 

• Very peaceful & beautiful woods. Great trails! Lots of trees to hang a rain cover or hammocks. Plenty of down branches up the trail to use for extra wood. Stumps at the site for sitting or chopping up some kindling. Saw deer and rabbits about! 

• Some of the tent sites looked small and hilly, but B29 & 30 were big & pretty level.

• Sites had big fire rings with grills that come down over them. Ours was not exactly level, but got the job done. Stone picnic table with wood-top benches seat 4-6. Lots of space for extra chairs, etc around the campfire. 

• These sites were really great, but got a bit of traffic because of the water access, restrooms, and trail that ran between the sites. People were walking and driving by often – which wasn't a problem, but it might be good to know beforehand. 

• SOUND CARRIES here! It was a bit noisy some nights. 

• Tent pad is dirt & rocks – we picked out any big ones before setting up and had yoga mats under our sleeping bags, but the ground was still hard. Definitely think about bringing a thicker pad or something inflatable if you prefer that. 

• The lake is nearby and fun for canoes & kayaking! People fishing, too. The boathouse sells snacks, drinks, firewood, and bait. 

• The campground is well maintained and the hosts were around often to clean the bathrooms, check on campers, etc. Very friendly! 

• Hard to tell from the map, but the bathroom by B29 & B30 is NOT the one with showers. Showers are located at the larger facility in the middle of loop D, but there is a short path that runs from the back of this restroom to that area. The folks in our group that used them said they were wonderful. 

• Loop B's bathroom does not have lights, so bring a lantern

• EASY drive in & out, right on the blue ridge parkway. A short drive (20 min?) from Grandfather mountain which was AWESOME!! 

• AT&T had really spotty connection – OK for intermittent texting & I got sporadic emails… but on-demand internet usage was basically nonexistent. The boathouse has wifi, though!

• Check in@ 3pm, Check out@ 12pm.

On the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled in the trees and mountains of North Carolina, this campground is an older style NPS campground, but has been well maintained. Sites are back-in and pull through on the side of site. Most sites will allow for 30’ rigs. All sites have picnic table and built-in fire pits. There are no hookups. There are no showers in the trailer (RV) loop, but does include a couple comfort station with flush toilets. Campground Ranger was helpful and very friendly. Sites are split between first come first serve and reservations. Payment made with Ranger by cash or credit card. At $30 per site per day, the price is a little steep.

Another lovely campground along the BRP, close to Linville Falls and gorge, picnic area and visitor center.

Erwin’s View Trail: Moderate Linville Gorge Trail: Strenuous {amazing view of falls}

Get a map at the visitor’s center.. redundant: the gorge is rather crowded on the weekends.

Check online for road closures when visiting the parkway.

$20 per night

There are 70 sites, some reservable sites and walk ins -and an RV loop {dump station} All sites non electric, generators permitted before quiet hours.

Lovely rangers and camp host that I found to be pleasant and helpful.

Open field sites, with decent sized pads, fire pits & picnic tables. Some of the sites are more secluded, the ones nearest to the parkway road.

Dog friendly for leashed puppers 🐾 Kid Friendly

There are bear lockers, keep food and supplies in the locker and in car at night.

Alcohol is prohibited

No showers but access to clean water and flush toilets.

You may collect dead wood or bring in HEAT TREATED firewood that is certified with a federal seal.

Local stores that sell wood and/or other supplies: Linville Falls Visitor Center/Park store Linville Falls General Store {8896 NC-183, Linville Falls, NC 28647- trinkets, camp supplies, cold drinks, non perishable food, Hunt Brothers Pizza etc} Walmart Supercenter, Spruce Pine, Ingles Food Store, Newland

Nearby Attractions

Linville Falls Linville Gorge “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians”

Falls Trail - 1.6 mi RT/easy The Gorge Trail - 1.4 mi RT/ strenuous. The Plunge Basin Trail- 1mi RT/ moderate. Leashed dogs permitted 🐾

BRP Linville Canverns Crabtree Falls, Burnsville Grassy Creek Falls NC Gem Museum

The campground is laid out well, spacious, clean and located near awesome trails, falls, look outs and shops and restaurants.

Jacob Branch: Three sites arranged around a clearing. Two pit privies and a BEAR BOX! Woot!! The sites are a bit difficult to pitch on, due to the abundance of roots, hardpan earth, and slope, but you’ll find a spot. I didn’t hang, but there are certainly spots that would be suitable. Water is just down the hill. It’s ample and clear, as of May 2023. There are several ways to hike in, as many of the South Mountains SP trails intersect and wander around a bunch giving a bunch of options for how to get in and out. The variety makes for a nice loop instead of just an in-and-out. Get inventive. Trails are broad and veeeeeery hilly in places. If your knees complain, bring the trekking poles. You’ll thank me.

Shinny Creek: Perfect trip if you have kids…or just want something close by. It’s only a bit over a mile to these four sites (see video tour) nestled by a stream. Clear, flat sites. Bear box. Critter-proof trash bin. Pit privy. Water access from every site within ten paces, so water and entertainment are always available. The trail here is easy peasy rolling hills that follows the river past Bear Falls all the way up to the sites.

This site should not be confused with any other sites in area by similar name. You have to make a reservation with the park office for your site and drop by the ranger station to pick up your permit. The sites have NO vehicle access at all, you have to hike a mile into the campsite. The hike in is excellent, as it follows the river along the way.

There is NO clean water source, you have to bring a filter system with you. There are no picnic tables but each site does have wood logs as seats. There are fire pits and food storage lockers on site. 

The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as "base camp" for day hikes.