Linville Gorge Wilderness: The Grand Canyon of the East

Loved our hike! The trails were clear to follow. The drive in is unpaved and narrow so you will likely need to pull over a few times to let cars pass. There is also very limited parking. As someone that has not hiked in years, I was able to manage this trail.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

Beautiful views and hiking. A must see!

I camped along Old NC 105 near Linville Falls in June 2026 and wanted to share my experience for anyone considering the trip. I entered from the Linville Falls side and took the short hike to see the Upper Falls. The trail itself is easy, but the walk back up to the upper parking area is fairly steep, so be prepared for a bit of a workout on the return. From there, I drove the full stretch of Old NC 105 through the mountains. The drive takes roughly 55 minutes to an hour from one end to the other. The scenery is beautiful, with several scenic overlooks and plenty of free dispersed campsites along the way. One thing to be aware of is the road condition. Around the midway point, there were several large washouts, deep ruts, and eroded sections of road. I drive a Subaru Crosstrek, which sits lower than many off-road vehicles, and there were a few spots where I wasn’t sure I would make it through without scraping the undercarriage. Thankfully, I was able to navigate around the worst sections carefully. If you’re driving a lower-clearance vehicle, you may want to consider finding a site before the midway point. You can enter from the opposite end of the road as well, and select one of the many campsites on that end, before reaching the roughest sections. There are plenty of beautiful sites available without having to tackle the worst of the road damage. I visited on a Wednesday, and many campsites were unoccupied. Many of the sites were surprisingly large, with enough room for multiple vehicles and tents. I ended up licking out and getting a site by a beautiful scenic overlook near the Pinnacle Trailhead parking area, roughly 45 minutes from the Linville Falls entrance. The location was peaceful, surrounded by woods, and provided easy access to hiking trails. The campsite itself was beautiful. A fire pit ring was set up. There were no tables at any of the sites I saw. Many great spots to hang a hammock. The trails were well worth exploring, the nights were quiet, and the star visibility was excellent. Most days, I experienced very few bugs, although on my last day, I was bitten quite a bit, so I would recommend bringing insect repellent just in case. There are no restrooms, water hookups, or other amenities, so come prepared with plenty of supplies if you plan to stay for several days. One advantage of camping in this area is the abundance of downed wood for campfires. I had planned to stay longer, but one evening I encountered a pretty terrifying situation. While camping alone in my tent, I became aware of someone near my campsite during the night. Feeling unsafe, I contacted 911 and moved to my vehicle while they stayed on the line. Nothing ultimately happened, but the experience was enough for me to end my trip early. That experience reinforced an important lesson: have a safety plan before you go, stay aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts if something feels off. Most people you meet outdoors are friendly and respectful, but it is still wise to be prepared: keep your phone charged, keep self-defense tools near you, and know in advance how you would respond if you ever felt unsafe. I usually carry my pistol, tasers, a hammer, a meat tenderizer, an axe, a baseball bat, pepper spray, whistles, and a knife (in case you need any ideas, lol). Despite that experience, the trip overall was amazing. The scenery was breathtaking, the camping opportunities were plentiful, and the peaceful atmosphere made it a memorable adventure. I would absolutely return, though next time I will likely sleep in my vehicle rather than a tent for additional peace of mind.