Dispersed camping in the Linville Falls area offers access to remote sites along Old NC 105, with elevations ranging from 2,500-3,000 feet providing cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The gravel forest road winds for approximately 13 miles between NC 181 and the Blue Ridge Parkway, with multiple primitive campsites situated along ridgelines and at scenic overlooks. Weather patterns can shift rapidly, with temperature differences of 15-20 degrees between daytime and nighttime, even during summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple streams in the area provide trout fishing options, especially near Roan Mountain State Park Campground. "We camped on the river and looks like they are making some improvements to the property," notes one camper at Grandfather Campground. Another visitor mentioned, "A creek to fly fish in... very quiet, very outdoorsy, fire pits, close to Mast General Store, close to restaurant and Grandfather Mountain!"
Hiking to Hebron Rock Colony: This unique geological formation offers scrambling opportunities over massive boulders with swimming holes along the route. A camper at Julian Price Park Campground reports, "There is a hiking trail that goes around the lake. There's also a trail that you can access from the park that leads to Hebron Rock Colony which is an incredible hiking trail. The trail follows a river with lots of great swimming holes and the rock colony is incredible."
Waterfall exploration: Multiple cascades beyond the main Linville Falls attract fewer crowds. "The campground is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains...so beautiful! Quiet campground with hiking trails, small fishing lake, playgrounds, an arcade room, and camp store. One of the hiking trails leads to a waterfall," shares a visitor to Spacious Skies Bear Den.
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Many dispersed sites provide isolation despite increasing popularity. A camper at Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping notes, "If you take your time and they are available there are a few spots on both sides of the road with wonderful views. The beginning of the road from either side is easy enough to get down but in the middle it gets really rough."
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds operate year-round with notably fewer visitors during cold months. According to a Julian Price Park Campground visitor, "My children and I camped in the tent only loop, as a base for adventures in Boone, Grandfather Mountain, and the BRP. The roads were in need of maintenance, but everything else was great!"
Cave exploration: Unusual rock formations create natural shelters used by campers. One adventurous group at Table Rock Campsites shared, "A couple buddies and I went camping on Table Rock, found a cave, crawled through it for about 100 feet and found the most beautiful camping spot we have ever seen."
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "We had the last drive up site towards the top of the mountain facing Morganton, which was gorgeous. Not very secluded and not much flat ground but a great view. The last night was beautiful and the stars were incredible."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many dispersed sites requires careful driving. A visitor to Old NC 105 advises, "I saw a lot of reviews about absolutely needing an AWD vehicle with good clearance but I maneuvered my way through the road with my little Hyundai. You definitely need to be a confident driver if you do that though."
Bathroom facilities: Amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. A camper at Linville Falls Campground shared, "The bathroom facilities were very clean and made the stay much easier, especially since we were camping with kids." Conversely, at Julian Price Park, a visitor noted, "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."
Site selection strategy: Campsite quality can vary dramatically within the same area. A Table Rock camper advises, "I looked at other campsites, but the one we chose couldn't have been more perfect. Other than cooking and sleeping, you will not want to spend a whole lot of time at the campsite because of the trails and the views."
Traffic noise: Some sites experience unexpected vehicle disturbance. A camper at Old NC 105 reported, "The car traffic is horrible, even in the middle of the night. Even until 4am we could hear and see cars driving up and down this terribly bumpy gravel road."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer developed play areas for children. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, a visitor notes, "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30pm. May be different in the Summer. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site."
Cabin options: Alternative accommodations suit families new to camping. "We stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture. There is a countertop next to the front door and plenty of room for all of our gear. There is a water spigot and electrical outlet on the outside and two outlets inside the cabin," reports a camper at Spacious Skies Bear Den.
Pet-friendly areas: Many campgrounds accommodate dogs with dedicated spaces. A visitor to Mountain River Family Campground shared, "Not only were the pets included, but they have a dog park area that they can run free and stretch their legs!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup variability: Electric service differs between campgrounds. At Grandfather Campground, a visitor notes, "We stayed here 10 days in our 34-foot travel trailer and were very happy with our stay. The sites are fairly level, long but a little narrow. Because of the slope, there isn't much 'yard' space, just a platform with a picnic table."
Site leveling challenges: Terrain creates parking difficulties at some campgrounds. A Grandfather Campground visitor advised, "The site was quite un-level side to side, and we couldn't get our trailer completely level side to side. The site was a bit tough to maneuver into (doable, though!)"
Bridge access limitations: Some campgrounds have narrow entrance points. The Mountain River Family Campground reviewer mentioned, "When you turn into the campground, you will cross a narrow 1-lane bridge across Watagua Creek."
