Camping at Mount Pisgah Campground: A Blue Ridge Parkway Retreat

Location: Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 408.8, near Asheville, NC

Elevation: 5,000 feet

Season: Open spring through fall (exact dates vary annually)

Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for mild weather and vibrant foliage

Sites:

126 campsites (tent and RV-friendly)

Walk-in tent sites for a more primitive experience

Facilities:

Picnic tables and fire rings at each site

Restrooms with flush toilets and potable water

Dump station for RVs (no hookups available)

Nearby Services:

Pisgah Inn restaurant and general store for meals and supplies

Hiking:

Mount Pisgah Trail: 1.3 miles (one-way) to the summit with stunning panoramic views.

Buck Spring Trail: A historic path offering gentle terrain and interpretive signage.

Scenery:

Spectacular sunrise and sunset views from nearby overlooks.

Cool mountain air and shaded sites make summer camping especially pleasant.

What to Bring:

Warm layers—temperatures can drop significantly at night, even in summer.

Firewood or a camp stove for cooking (gathering wood is prohibited).

A rainfly and tarp, as afternoon showers are common in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Reservations:

Sites can be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov, though some sites are first-come, first-served.

Safety Note:

Secure food in bear-proof containers or your vehicle—black bears are common in the area.

From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway south to Milepost 408.8. The drive takes about 45 minutes and winds through some of the Parkway’s most scenic stretches.

Mount Pisgah was once part of the vast estate of George Vanderbilt, the builder of the Biltmore Estate. He preserved much of the land, which later became part of Pisgah National Forest. Today, the area remains a testament to conservation and the beauty of the Southern Appalachians.