National Park Service · Blue Ridge Parkway · NC

Mount Pisgah Campground

1Heads up1 fire 44 mi away
Wildfire
Sugarland Mountain fire · 44 mi away · 0 acres · updated Oct 13, 2026
ReservableBookable through October 25; the next season isn't published.
Book on recreation.govWe make nothing when you book
Right now
Taking bookingsSites offered on 10 of the next 10 nights read 16:45 UTC
A night
$30From, per site
Sites
12872 of them walk-up
80 ftLongest rig
4,940 ftElevation
732 ftWater · an unnamed stream
7.3 miW of Mills River, NC
72Walk-up sites

The place

the agency’s own description · what’s there · 10 notices

In the agency’s own words

One of the most popular of the Parkway's campgrounds, Mount Pisgah Campground is perched in the rolling mountains of western North Carolina on the southernmost end of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. Surrounded by dense hardwood forests at an elevation of 4980 feet, it offers shady, cool respite from the summer heat. Whichever end of the day appeals, spectacular sunrise and sunset panoramic views can be enjoyed from nearby overlooks. Several popular hiking trails, ranging from moderate to strenuous, are accessible from the campground. Drenched in history, this area was once part of the holdings of George Vanderbilt and the site of his hunting camp house, Buck Springs (no longer standing), is close by. Keep reading

Recreation

Several popular hiking trails, ranging from moderate to difficult, are easily accessible from the campground. The Frying Pan Trail leads adventurers 1.6 miles (2.6 km) south to the Fire Tower at Frying Pan Mountain. Hiking north on the trail you'll arrive at the Pisgah Inn and from there, the Buck Spring Trail leads visitors through the thick hardwood forest and along rocky terrain to the Mt. Pisgah Parking Area. From the parking area it is a 1.6 mile (2.6 km) uphill trek to the top of Mt. Pisgah. The Shut-In Trail is the original route from the Biltmore Estate to the Buck Spring Lodge, and heads north along the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Asheville. The Buck Spring Lodge was a mountain getaway for George Vanderbilt, owner of the famous Biltmore Estate. The North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail follows both the Buck Spring and Shut-In Trails , and connects to trails in Pisgah National Forest.

Facilities

Both RV and tent sites are available at this campground. Modern amenities like flush toilets, drinking water, dump station, and a country store create a comfortable camping experience. Sites come with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for barbecues and marshmallow roasting. In addition to the sites available for advance reservation, several campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk. Mt. Pisgah campground is oftentimes full each weekend and holidays.

Natural Features

Mount Pisgah is part of the Appalachian Mountain Range, an area of the country with scenery that never disappoints, whether blanketed in wildflowers in the spring or bursting with red, orange, and yellow hues in the fall. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. At an elevation of 4,980 feet (1,518 m), Mount Pisgah offers moderate to cool temperatures during camping seasons.

Nearby Attractions

The beautiful Pisgah Inn is located adjacent to the campground and offers a restaurant and country store. Additionally, historic Asheville, North Carolina is about 20 miles away, offering grocery stores, fuel and medical facilities. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also surrounded by 2 other national parks. Shenandoah National Park is to the immediate north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mt. Pisgah Campground is closer to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

What the agency tells you

Rule

Cell phone reception is minimal in this area. There are showers in Loop B and Loop C. Electric, water, or sewer hook-ups are not available per site.

Rule

Vehicles are to be parked on the pavement of an assigned site or in designated parking areas. A maximum of two vehicles may be parked in each site (i.e. trailer and car, two cars, two motorcycles). Most sites are limited to one vehicle.

Rule

CAUTION: Bears frequent the area. Be aware! You are required to keep a clean campsite and store all food or scented items in your car or provided food lockers. DO NOT HANG TRASH FROM THE LANTERN POST. All food, cooking utensils, coolers, drinks, any scented items and trash must be properly stored at all times. Food and scented items must be stored in a locked vehicle, camper or site storage locker. Never leave the campsite without properly storing food and scented items. All campers are responsible for proper storage of food and scented items while in the campground. Any violators may be fined or summoned to appear in court for improper storage of food and scented items. All campers are responsible for any violations at their campsite, vehicle, camper and/or site storage locker.

Everything else this campground posts · 7
Rule

Only one tent is allowed per site unless there is adequate space on the provided tent pad. No more than 6 people per campsite. Group Campsites are located at Doughton Park Campground and Rocky Knob Campground.

Rule

All tents must be placed on prepared pads where provided.

Rule

Hammock camping is permitted, but campers must abide by posted regulations.

Rule

Generator use is prohibited from 9:00 pm to 8:00 am.

Rule

GPS and mapping devices may not provide accurate directions to Mt. Pisgah Campground.

Rule

Firewood Regulation: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought onto the Parkway. Campers may still collect dead and down wood in the immediate vicinity of campgrounds and picnic areas. This rule is strictly enforced!

Rule

Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

Read them on the agency’s own page →

Tents and rigs

Sites
128 · 65 tent-only
Hookups
None
Longest rig
80 ft
Paved pads
All
Accessible sites
4
Pets
Allowed at 127 of 128 sites
Campfires
126 of 128 sites
Shade
Every site
Source: Recreation.gov campsite records · Aug 23, 2026

Facilities

Toilets
Flush Toilets - seasonal
Drinking water
Yes
Dump station
Yes
recreation.gov lists “Dump Station”
Stay limit
30 nights
recreation.gov facility rule maxStay
Source: National Park Service and agency records

Around the campground

Birding
Guided Interpretive Walks
Hiking
Ranger programs
Stargazing
Wildlife viewing
Tree cover
75%
Night sky · 61st darkest of 84 in NC
Bortle 4
Fall color · reported 3 days ago, 23 km away
Patchy color
Source: Recreation.gov activity records · Aug 23, 2026
Fall color: More Than Just Parks foliage tracker, joined to this campground by distance (23 km) · Oct 13, 2026

Fully booked this Friday and Saturday, all 142 site-nights takenread 16:45 UTC

recreation.gov lists 126 of the 128 campsites the agency files here. The rest aren’t on its booking system, so a reservation won’t get you one.

OpenBooked

Every one of the 71 sites on offer is taken this Friday and Saturday. 11 are free on Mon, Oct 19. read 16:45 UTC Why the weekend fills and the week doesn’t

These counts cover the 128 reservable sites only. This campground also has first-come sites, and recreation.gov publishes no availability for a site you can’t reserve.

Booking windowThrough October 25Bookable now through October 25, 2026, the end of the reservable season. The season after it isn't published yet.recreation.gov
Max stay30 nightsthe facility record
A night$30plus $8 to reserve, once per bookingthe agency’s rate schedule
A weekend$68DerivedFriday and Saturday, everything includedours, from the lines above
If plans change$10 to cancel$10 to change a reservationrecreation.gov’s schedule
Runs itNational Park ServiceBooked through recreation.govthe agency’s record
Watch for a cancellation

Full? Watch it.

One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.

We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.

Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.

Free forever, no booking kickbacks.
Book on recreation.gov

We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.

Every line of the receipt · 14

What you actually pay

The sign priceNational Park Service
A night$30
RV Nonelectric$30
Standard Nonelectric$30
Tent Only Nonelectric$30
Rates for the season the campground is in now, May 22, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026.
The booking feerecreation.gov
Reservation fee, booked online$8
One fee per reservation, however many nights you book, and it’s non-refundable. $9 if you book by phone, $3 in person.
Pass discounts only apply to the recreation (or use) fee for the facility. Other charges such as electricity or water hookups, reservation or other fees are not eligible for a discount.
What a stay costs
One nightDerived$38
A weekend, Friday and SaturdayDerived$68

Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rate for this season, $30 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.

If your plans changerecreation.gov
Change fee, moving to dates outside your booking$10
Cancellation fee$10
Cancelling the day before, or the day of$10 + your first night
No-show$20 + your first night

Who keeps the booking fee

The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →

How we know this receipt · 5

recreation.gov availability, read 16:45 UTC · rules read Sep 9, 2026 · rates Sep 10, 2026 · How we know all this

Seen something wrong here? Tell us.

The sites

128 sites · which ones have room · the site map

The sites, ranked

from 126 mapped sites
69 ftbetween you and the next site, typically
Least roomLoop D D19 31 ftLoop D D20 31 ftLoop D D31 31 ft

All 128 sites

128 of 128 sites located
Standard11Tent only65RV / electric50Type not stated2
SleepsTakes aUp to

Toilet distances are OpenStreetMap’s, measured for 128 of the 128 sites listed. A site with no reading is unknown, never far.

The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 126 of the 128 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.

Measured shade is NLCD Tree Canopy Cover 2024 (USDA Forest Service / MRLC) read at the site’s own coordinate, 27% canopy or more, and only for the sites the agency gave no Shade value. It never changes the agency’s own shaded count beside it.

Loop AA01rv nonelectric23 ft103 ft1,139 ft126 ft$30
Loop AA02type not stated35 ft1,258 ft187 ft
Loop AA03rv nonelectric20 ft82 ft1,180 ft223 ft$30
Loop AA04rv nonelectric50 ft69 ft1,305 ft228 ft$30
Loop AA05rv nonelectric23 ft55 ft1,284 ft180 ft$30
Loop AA06rv nonelectric55 ft69 ft1,371 ft183 ft$30
Loop AA07rv nonelectric20 ftyes55 ft1,337 ft130 ft$30
Loop AA08rv nonelectric60 ft83 ft1,474 ft182 ft$30
Loop AA09rv nonelectric23 ftyes83 ft1,454 ft99 ft$30
Loop AA10rv nonelectric70 ft95 ft1,584 ft266 ft$30
Loop AA11rv nonelectric22 ft54 ft1,580 ft195 ft$30
Loop AA12rv nonelectric65 ft93 ft1,672 ft251 ft$30
Loop AA13rv nonelectric27 ft45 ft1,632 ft231 ft$30
Loop AA14rv nonelectric23 ft109 ft1,768 ft349 ft$30
Loop AA15rv nonelectric22 ft45 ft1,659 ft242 ft$30
Loop AA16rv nonelectric60 ft73 ft1,692 ft266 ft$30
Loop AA17rv nonelectric30 ft65 ft1,633 ft206 ft$30
Loop AA18rv nonelectric70 ft67 ft1,638 ft223 ft$30
Loop AA19rv nonelectric28 ft67 ft1,584 ft161 ft$30
Loop AA20rv nonelectric70 ft72 ft1,571 ft195 ft$30
Loop AA21rv nonelectric30 ft72 ft1,525 ft124 ft$30
Loop AA22rv nonelectric22 ft76 ft1,451 ft95 ft$30
Loop AA23rv nonelectric22 ft76 ft1,378 ft86 ft$30
Loop AA24rv nonelectric35 ft84 ft1,329 ft169 ft$30
Loop AA25rv nonelectric20 ft89 ft1,267 ft160 ft$30
Loop AA26rv nonelectric80 ft100 ft1,197 ft242 ft$30
Loop AA27rv nonelectric22 ft89 ft1,189 ft243 ft$30
Loop AA28rv nonelectric40 ft101 ft1,075 ft353 ft$30
Loop AA29rv nonelectric25 ft66 ft1,117 ft276 ft$30
Loop AA30rv nonelectric60 ft99 ft995 ft298 ft$30
Loop AA31rv nonelectric30 ft66 ft1,087 ft225 ft$30
Loop AA32rv nonelectric60 ft76 ft936 ft278 ft$30
Loop AA33rv nonelectric25 ft76 ft1,003 ft202 ft$30
Loop BB01standard nonelectric35 ft104 ft1,185 ft336 ft$30
Loop BB02rv nonelectric28 ft73 ft1,113 ft244 ft$30
Loop BB03rv nonelectric25 ft73 ft1,170 ft214 ft$30
Loop BB04rv nonelectric40 ft94 ft1,248 ft194 ft$30
Loop BB05rv nonelectric25 ft94 ft1,336 ft251 ft$30
Loop BB06standard nonelectric28 ft71 ft1,650 ft107 ft$30
Loop BB07standard nonelectric20 ft71 ft1,720 ft56 ft$30
Loop BB08rv nonelectric28 ft71 ft1,634 ft88 ft$30
Loop BB09standard nonelectric28 ft54 ft1,570 ft158 ft$30
Loop BB10standard nonelectric32 ft43 ft1,525 ft211 ft$30
Loop BB11standard nonelectric30 ft43 ft1,511 ft242 ft$30
Loop BB12rv nonelectric32 ft83 ft1,471 ft320 ft$30
Loop BB13standard nonelectric30 ft64 ft1,549 ft244 ft$30
Loop BB14rv nonelectric32 ft60 ft1,582 ft299 ft$30
Loop BB15rv nonelectric31 ft66 ft1,620 ft211 ft$30
Loop BB16standard nonelectric32 ft60 ft1,641 ft266 ft$30
Loop BB17rv nonelectric32 ft66 ft1,663 ft147 ft$30
Loop BB18rv nonelectric28 ft87 ft1,748 ft157 ft$30
Loop BB19standard nonelectric35 ftyes80 ft1,690 ft60 ft$30
Loop BB20rv nonelectric33 ftyes61 ft1,678 ft134 ft$30
Loop BB21standard nonelectric30 ft61 ft1,618 ft168 ft$30
Loop BB22rv nonelectric26 ft85 ft1,581 ft158 ft$30
Loop BB23standard nonelectric32 ft71 ft1,527 ft252 ft$30
Loop BB24rv nonelectric32 ft71 ft1,500 ft245 ft$30
Loop BB25rv nonelectric32 ft86 ft1,448 ft296 ft$30
Loop BB26rv nonelectric28 ft82 ft1,420 ft314 ft$30
Loop BB27rv nonelectric50 ft69 ft1,307 ft198 ft$30
Loop BB28rv nonelectric33 ft68 ft1,256 ft153 ft$30
Loop BB29rv nonelectric32 ft68 ft1,239 ft129 ft$30
Loop CC01tent only nonelectric90 ft942 ft424 ft$30
Loop CC02tent only nonelectric71 ft1,020 ft352 ft$30
Loop CC03tent only nonelectric91 ft1,025 ft342 ft$30
Loop CC04tent only nonelectric93 ft1,103 ft264 ft$30
Loop CC05tent only nonelectric96 ft1,148 ft263 ft$30
Loop CC06tent only nonelectric96 ft1,235 ft170 ft$30
Loop CC07tent only nonelectric86 ft1,299 ft252 ft$30
Loop CC08tent only nonelectric82 ft1,334 ft169 ft$30
Loop CC09tent only nonelectric93 ft1,370 ftThompson Creek246 ft$30
Loop CC10tent only nonelectric46 ft1,414 ft161 ft$30
Loop CC11tent only nonelectric46 ft1,452 ft156 ft$30
Loop CC12tent only nonelectric91 ft1,518 ftThompson Creek273 ft$30
Loop CC13tent only nonelectric44 ft1,541 ft199 ft$30
Loop CC14tent only nonelectric32 ft1,575 ft220 ft$30
Loop CC15tent only nonelectric32 ft1,574 ft211 ft$30
Loop CC16tent only nonelectric58 ft1,622 ft256 ft$30
Loop CC17tent only nonelectric52 ft1,593 ft294 ft$30
Loop CC18tent only nonelectric64 ft1,618 ft258 ft$30
Loop CC19tent only nonelectric59 ft1,632 ft308 ft$30
Loop CC20tent only nonelectric41 ft1,566 ft200 ft$30
Loop CC21tent only nonelectric41 ft1,528 ft162 ft$30
Loop CC22tent only nonelectric77 ft1,451 ft86 ft$30
Loop CC23type not stated1,410 ft44 ft
Loop CC24tent only nonelectric36 ft1,390 ft53 ft$30
Loop CC25tent only nonelectric36 ft1,356 ft56 ft$30
Loop CC26tent only nonelectric55 ft1,343 ft112 ft$30
Loop CC27tent only nonelectric42 ft1,296 ft160 ft$30
Loop CC28tent only nonelectric86 ft1,308 ft239 ft$30
Loop CC29tent only nonelectric32 ft1,255 ft187 ft$30
Loop CC30tent only nonelectric32 ft1,232 ft184 ft$30
Loop CC31tent only nonelectric33 ft1,127 ft306 ft$30
Loop CC32tent only nonelectric33 ft1,114 ft297 ft$30
Loop CC33tent only nonelectric57 ft1,057 ft339 ft$30
Loop CC34tent only nonelectric92 ft997 ft427 ft$30
Loop DD01tent only nonelectric97 ft1,618 ft324 ft$30
Loop DD02tent only nonelectric35 ft1,571 ft297 ft$30
Loop DD03tent only nonelectric72 ft1,516 ft300 ft$30
Loop DD04tent only nonelectric35 ft1,536 ft268 ft$30
Loop DD05tent only nonelectric36 ft1,439 ft153 ft$30
Loop DD06tent only nonelectric36 ft1,423 ft120 ft$30
Loop DD07tent only nonelectric95 ft1,361 ft159 ft$30
Loop DD08tent only nonelectric57 ft1,258 ft124 ft$30
Loop DD09tent only nonelectric79 ft1,276 ft58 ft$30
Loop DD10tent only nonelectric57 ft1,206 ft144 ft$30
Loop DD11tent only nonelectric74 ft1,171 ft170 ft$30
Loop DD12tent only nonelectric74 ft1,142 ft188 ft$30
Loop DD13tent only nonelectric33 ft1,048 ft283 ft$30
Loop DD14tent only nonelectric32 ft1,029 ft305 ft$30
Loop DD15tent only nonelectric32 ft1,029 ft314 ft$30
Loop DD16tent only nonelectric35 ft1,041 ft316 ft$30
Loop DD17tent only nonelectric40 ft1,052 ft327 ft$30
Loop DD18tent only nonelectric67 ft1,083 ft346 ft$30
Loop DD19tent only nonelectric31 ft1,170 ft268 ft$30
Loop DD20tent only nonelectric31 ft1,174 ft241 ft$30
Loop DD21tent only nonelectric75 ft1,220 ft300 ft$30
Loop DD22tent only nonelectric49 ft1,228 ft211 ft$30
Loop DD23tent only nonelectric49 ft1,262 ft165 ft$30
Loop DD24tent only nonelectric82 ft1,297 ft261 ft$30
Loop DD25tent only nonelectric92 ft1,370 ft214 ft$30
Loop DD26tent only nonelectric48 ft1,391 ft120 ft$30
Loop DD27tent only nonelectric48 ft1,430 ft126 ft$30
Loop DD28tent only nonelectric110 ft1,499 ft234 ft$30
Loop DD29tent only nonelectric75 ft1,516 ft194 ft$30
Loop DD30tent only nonelectric52 ft1,592 ft266 ft$30
Loop DD31tent only nonelectric32 ft1,634 ft305 ft$30
Loop DD32tent only nonelectric32 ft1,629 ft299 ft$30

25 of 128 listed

Getting there

the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Coordinate35.40278, -82.75667
The phone828-648-2644 (MAY - OCTOBER)
The agency’s pageOfficial page ↗

Where it is

Getting there

From Interstate 40 west, take exit 47 and turn south onto Highway 191. Stay in the right hand lane and turn south again onto the Blue Ridge Parkway at the North Carolina Arboretum; enjoy the amazing views and nine tunnels along the Blue Ridge Parkway for 15 miles (24 km). You will pass the Mt. Pisgah Parking Area, the Country Store and the Pisgah Inn on the left. The campground is on the right immediately after the Pisgah Inn.

From Waynesville, North Carolina, take Highway 276 for about 22 miles to The Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn north onto the parkway and continue four miles to the campground on the left.

The weather

the next four days · the thirty-year normal

Next four days, and the thirty-year normal

Forecast

Today67°Sunny4% rain
Tonight37°Chance Rain Showers30% rain
Saturday40°Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny25% rain
Saturday Night30°Mostly Clear3% rain

NWS forecast for Mills River, NC

Typical weather

Typical October night 44°F, day 61°F.

Coldest month of the year: typical January night 25°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.

90°32°20°

Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more

A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.

Measured at: SWANNANOA 2 SSE, NC (USC00318448), 24 miles away and 620 ft lower

The land, and who answers for it

what threatens it · who answers for it

What threatens this place

developing
Roadless
Laurel Mountain5,683 acres · 3 mi · inventoried roadless area
Roadless
South Mills River8,588 acres · 5 mi · inventoried roadless area
Roadless
Graveyard Ridge (addition)1,958 acres · 7 mi · inventoried roadless area

You’re camping on ground somebody wants. We track the threats and the comment deadlines.

Source: MTJP Threatened Lands map · Oct 3, 2026

Who answers for this land

Chuck Edwards, official portrait

Mount Pisgah Campground is in North Carolina’s 11th congressional district. Its representative, Chuck Edwards (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →

Seen something wrong here? Tell us.

How we know

every fact on this page, and where it came from
Right now: recreation.gov is offering sites on 10 of the next 10 nights, which isn’t something a closed campground does.
Fall color: More Than Just Parks foliage tracker, joined to this campground by distance (23 km) · Oct 13, 2026
Cell signal: the Park Service’s own campground description, read as text by CAMPANAC. None of this is a measurement. It’s what the land manager published about the place, and phones, carriers and weather all disagree with each other; treat it as a warning, not a promise.