You can’t beat the location of this campground, located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stayed in Loop D which has a brand new bath/shower house with six individual stalls with a bath/shower combo. The only thing missing was soap dispensers (I had to remember to bring soap every time I used the bathroom). Very nice and large dishwashing sink. Loop D is for tents so the driveways were small. We were able to fit our 17’ camper van but anything larger might not fit. Park personnel were very friendly and helpful. Wish firewood was available to purchase at the park as we didn’t buy any ahead of time. (You are permitted to pick up downed branches which was new to us). No electric sites and spotty internet but great hiking trails. Recommend the Boone Fork Trail but be prepared for many stream crossings!
The campground has everything one needs to enjoy camping. The tent sites are level and great for people with difficulty walking any distance. They have clean and updated restrooms along with a huge outdoor steel sink to your dishes. You are off the Blue Ridge Pkwy but don’t hear the traffic. You are not far from several walking trails, not including the ones in the park, and other attractions. There are stores within a half hour drive for those items you have forgotten. We were able to completely relax while we were there.
I'd suggest buying wood in town.
The poles sticking out of the ground were there to hang up old-school latterns back in the day.
It gets COLD at night in October even if it's warm during the day.
This park is right on a gorgeous lake. There is a spot within the park to rent kayaks which was great. 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. Awesome place to camp! Some sites you can reserve, but others are first come first served.
Julian Price Campground is managed by the U.S. National Park Service at milepost 297. This 197-site campground has a brand new bathroom/shower building with electricity and dish washing station next to site D24 (this may be the only one with electricity). There are several sites on the D loop that are somewhat private being surrounded by rhododendron.
The moderately difficult 5 mile Boone Fork Trail goes between sites B29 & B30 and makes for a wonderful 3 hour hike next to many creeks. This trail shares the Mountain To Sea trail part of the way.
There are other loops to camp on including the A loop next to Price Lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks and purchase firewood. There is also an easy 2.5 mile trail around the lake.
The roads are a bit worse for wear, having pot holes, etc. They could use either a new repaving or just make it all dirt roads.
The Campground host/park ranger was really great and helped us change sites (to be closer to the new bathhouse).
Just down the road is the Moses Cone mansion, aka Flat Top Manor with signage on the Blue Ridge Parkway as the Craft Center. Blowing Rock is nearby and Boone is a short distance away.
Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied. Reservations can be made on-line or walk up to the small building in the front of the loop. The campsites are separated into several loops. One loop is closer to the lake, the other loop has more availability and quite a range of campsites.
Bathrooms are available here (upgrades coming soon!) as well as drinking water.
This is a great place to camp and chill by the lake. Rent canoes and kayaks on site, the showers are good although you have to drive to a different loop to access them. Flat spots with regulations on where to put your tent but a gorgeous spot to enjoy on the parkway. No swimmig in the lake but lots of people were jumping off of their boats to cool off.
This place needs some TLC. The roads were very poorly maintained, with washed out areas and pot holes everywhere. Bathhouses didn't have lights, and the one near us didn't have running water and looked like it hadn't in some time. Annoying, but not a big deal… The mystical hidden showers, however, were a real problem. There was no indication on the map as to where the showers were. We drove around to 3 different bathhouses, all of which were just toilets/port a pots with sinks. The website explicitly states that showers are available. They really need to be marked, either on signage, the map, or both.
This is a National Park with fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife. It is near the Moses Cone home which offers handmade items and a tour of the mansion. Within 5 miles of shopping at Blowing Rock. Tweetsie Railroad is a nearby attraction.
My parents first introduced me to Julian Price as a very young child. It is close to home so we'd visit often.
When I met my husband, he asked what was there to do around close. I then introduced him to Price Park. We're getting ready to celebrate our 35th year together. We can't even hide from our kids because they know all about the campground as well.
Come join us some weekend.
