Within the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls Campground provides access to one of North Carolina's most visited waterfalls while maintaining the rustic character typical of National Park Service facilities. The campground operates seasonally from April through October, with 70 sites accommodating both tents and RVs up to 50 feet.
Campers describe the layout as open field sites with adequate spacing between neighbors. Sites closer to the parkway road offer more seclusion among the trees, while others sit in more exposed areas where fireflies light up summer evenings. Melissa W. notes the campground includes "bear lockers, keep food and supplies in the locker and in car at night." Several reviewers mention sites near the creek where the water sounds carry through the night.
The campground serves as a base for exploring Linville Gorge, often called the "Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians." Multiple trail options range from the easy 1.6-mile Falls Trail to the strenuous Gorge Trail. Samantha P. recommends the area "if you are someone who loves water," noting that "the falls are a must see and it's a beautiful sound to fall asleep too." The visitor center provides trail maps and serves as the starting point for several hikes.
Access requires navigating some rough sections of road, particularly during wet conditions. The campground offers flush toilets and potable water but no showers. Generators are permitted before quiet hours, and campers can collect deadwood or purchase certified firewood. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with a dump station available for RVs.
This campground works well for families wanting easy waterfall access and hikers planning multi-day explorations of the gorge system, though those seeking full hookups or shower facilities should consider alternatives in the broader region offering camping near Blue Ridge Parkway.
Description
Overview
Located in a dense pine canopy, within hiking distance of Linville Gorge, and along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls Campground is an ideal location for your next family camping excursion. Linville River, which winds beside the campground, is stocked for fishing, and the location is central to many area attractions including the Linville Falls waterfall, which has three waterfall overlooks in a one-mile hike.
Recreation
The Linville Falls area is a hiker's paradise, and the campground provides easy access to several trails that allow visitors to experience the stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. Once at the Linville Gorge, visitors can hike more challenging trails down to the river, where fishing for trout is a popular pastime.Linville Falls is another must-see, carrying water from the river over several layers of falls, ending in a spectacular 45-foot waterfall pouring into the sparkling riverbed below. Duggers Creek Falls: accessible from the Linville Falls Visitor Center on a small loop trail. See views of the falls from the foot bridge. These are native brook trout waters (fishing regulations apply). Lost Cove Cliff Overlook: view Brown Mountain and see the Brown Mountain Lights--a natural occurrence which is believed to be caused by natural gases. A good spot to view hawks and peregrine falcons in the spring and fall.
Facilities
The campground offers comfortable tent or RV camping, with the convenience of flush toilets, dump station, and drinking water. Grills/fire rings and picnic tables at each site create a perfect environment for family barbecues or late-night marshmallow roasting. In addition to the 39 sites available for advance reservation, 25 campsites are available on a first come, first-served basis. The availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. The sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk.
Natural Features
Linville Gorge is a vast designated Wilderness area that sits on 11,786 acres of rolling hills and thick forest. The gorge surrounds the Linville River, which is located some 1,400 feet below the ridge, creating a stunning canyon that has earned the nickname "The Grand Canyon of North Carolina."The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway with plenty of natural attractions and recreational opportunities for visitors. Aside from natural features, the parkway is also a cross-section of Appalachian mountain history. Stretching almost 500 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia, it encompasses some of the oldest historical sites of both pre-historic and early European settlements.The surrounding forest offers hemlock, white pine, oaks, hickory and birch trees, along with a colorful assortment of wildflowers in the spring and an epic array of orange and red shades of leaves in the autumn.
Nearby Attractions
Linville Caverns, a privately maintained cave just south of Linville Falls, offers guided tours year-round.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLinville Falls Campground is located in North Carolina near Linville Falls
Directions
From I-40 East, take Highway 221 north to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Linville Falls. Go north for one mile to Linville Falls Spur Road, located at Milepost 317, and continue a half mile to the campground.
Address
Milepost 316.3 Blue Ridge Parkway
NC
Coordinates
35.9680556 N
81.9322222 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/12/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/12/26
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
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 2 min from Johnson City, TN
- 1 hr 18 min from Asheville, NC
- 1 hr 19 min from Kingsport, TN















































