Johns River Road Backcountry Camping
Open year-round. A backcountry camping permit via Recreation.gov is required and must be printed and carried. Check-in is 3:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM. Permits are first-come, first-served. Nearby Parkway sections between mileposts 292.1-294.5 are closed for construction with a signed detour available.
Flood Watch issued July 22 at 2:18AM EDT until July 22 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwest North Carolina, including the following areas, Alleghany NC, Ashe and Watauga and Virginia, including the following areas, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Smyth, Tazewell and Wythe. * WHEN...Through this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - An extremely moist environment consisting of PWATs of 1.8-2.2 inches combined with training showers and thunderstorms will lead to the potential for flash flooding across the Flood Watch area today. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
About
Old Johns River Road Backcountry Camping is a primitive camping area on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Located along the Mountains to Sea Trail within Julian Price Memorial Park, this backcountry destination offers two designated campsites, each equipped with a fire ring. The maximum capacity is 6 people per site with a 3-night stay limit. Access requires hiking in via the strenuous 4.9-mile Boone Fork Trail from the Julian Price Park Picnic Area, which features stream crossings, trail ladders, and the scenic Hebron Colony Falls. Alternatively, campers can walk in via Old Johns River Road between mileposts 296 and 297. The terrain is rugged with mixed hardwood forest and rhododendron thickets. This is true backcountry camping with no facilities. There are no toilets, potable water, or trash service. Human waste must be buried at least 6 inches deep and 100 feet from any stream. All trash must be packed out. Stream water is available but requires purification. Black bears frequent the area, so approved bear canisters or proper food hanging (10 feet high, 4 feet from trunk) is mandatory. Cell phone service is unlikely.
Directions
Trailhead parking is at the Julian Price Memorial Park Picnic Area between mileposts 296 and 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From there, hike the Boone Fork Trail or walk Old Johns River Road to reach the backcountry sites.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| blri_campgrounds@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (828) 276-2300 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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