Crabtree Falls Campground

About

Named for the crabapple trees that once dotted the landscape with pink blossoms, Crabtree Falls Campground occupies a 253-acre recreation area along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 339.5. The campground blends open meadows with towering oak, birch, and hickory forests, punctuated by rhododendron thickets that burst with wildflowers in spring. Wildlife is abundant here; deer, coyote, and barred owls frequent the area, especially when mist settles in. The main draw is Crabtree Falls, a 70-foot waterfall accessible via a 3-mile loop trail rated moderate to strenuous. The path features towering trees, wildflowers, and many stairs. Mount Mitchell State Park, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, lies just 15 miles south, while the restored Green Knob Lookout Tower offers panoramic views 10 miles away. The campground has 81 sites total: 27 reservable through Recreation.gov and 54 first-come, first-served. Amenities include flush toilets, potable water, a dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, food storage lockers, and firewood for sale. There are no showers or hookups. Four sites are ADA accessible with accessible restrooms.

Directions

From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north about 40 miles to Milepost 339.5.