Doughton Park Campground

About

Nestled in the rolling ridgetop meadows and steep mountainsides of the 7,000-acre Doughton Park, this campground provides excellent access to over 30 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy strolls to strenuous descents into Basin Cove. The area preserves the heritage of early Appalachian settlers through historic structures like the Brinegar Cabin, where summer craft demonstrations showcase traditional weaving and mountain crafts. The campground offers 108 sites total, with a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served options, plus three group sites. Each site includes a table, lantern post, fire ring, and grill under the shade of mature forest canopy. Amenities include seasonal flush toilets, potable water, dump station, and food storage lockers. No hookups or showers are available. Wildlife viewing is exceptional here, with white-tailed deer, raccoons, red and gray foxes, and bobcats frequently spotted. Nearby trails like the 7.5-mile Bluff Mountain Trail offer scenic vistas, while the challenging Basin Cove Creek Trail features over 26 creek crossings and leads to the historic Caudill Cabin. Fishing for stocked rainbow and brook trout is available in Basin Cove Creek with a valid NC or VA license.

Directions

Located at Milepost 239.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. From I-77, take Exit 83 onto US-21 Bypass North toward Sparta, then merge onto US-21 for 18 miles. Turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway South and travel 10 miles to the campground. WARNING: GPS devices do not provide accurate directions and may route RVs onto unsuitable gravel roads.