Crabtree Falls Campground
What many consider to be the hidden gem of Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds, Crabtree Falls Campground offers a quiet serenity that appeals to campers as well as wildlife. Crabtree Falls, a spectacular 70-foot waterfall which is one of the most photographed in the area, is accessible from the campground.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in North Carolina · reservable in North Carolina · big rigs in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 63 |
| RV, no hookups | 18 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
81 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | RV | Pull-through | 43 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 3 | A | RV | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 5 | A | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 6 | A | RV | Pull-through | 55 | Paved | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 7 | A | RV | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 9 | A | RV | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | A | RV | Back-in | 29 | Paved | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 11 | A | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 12 | A | RV | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 13 | A | RV | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 16, 18, 77, 80 are listed accessible |
The campground offers comfortable tent or RV camping, with the convenience of flush toilets, dump station, and drinking water. Grills/fire rings and picnic tables at each site create a perfect environment for family barbeques or late-night marshmallow roasting. In addition to the 27 sites available for advance reservations, 54 campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north about 40 miles to Milepost 339.5.
| Area | Recreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 35.57° N, 82.49° W. Call the office before you drive. |
Good to know
- It is a magical place when mist hangs in the air, as coyote and deer tiptoe through and barred owls call out.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx - Stone Mountain
47 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Crabtree Falls Campground Review
Natural features
Named for the crabapple trees which once polka-dotted the countryside with their brilliant pink blossoms, the 253-acre Crabtree Falls Recreation Area in North Carolina contains meadows which still speak of the area's long history as a farming community. Bursting with wildflowers (including hawthorne, beard tongue, mountain laurel and gentian) in the spring, the meadows abut towering hardwood forests of oak, birch, and hickory, and are often dotted with thickets of rhododendrons. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles--from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The Parkway offers many natural attractions and recreational opportunities for visitors.
Recreation
Crabtree Falls Trail - a 3-mile loop trail considered moderate to strenuous. The trail has many wildflowers, towering trees, and lots of stairs! Crabtree Falls is a 70 -foot waterfall, plunging into a deep pool. Be sure to carry drinking water. Mount Mitchell State Park - highest peak east of the Mississippi: 15 miles south of Crabtree Falls Campground. Enjoy the observation tower with a 360-degree view or the Crest of the Black Mountains Trail and CCC-era log picnic shelters. Green Knob Lookout Tower - a restored CCC Fire Tower: 10 miles south of Crabtree Falls Campground. A half-mile climb from the Green Knob Overlook. Enjoy beautiful views of Mt Mitchell and the Black Mountain peaks. The Museum of North Carolina Minerals - at Milepost 331, about 9 miles north of Crabtree Falls Campground. The museum highlights the area's rich mineral resources and it's mining heritage. Discover hands-on, interactive exhibits that explore the creation of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the 3,000 year-old saga of mining.
Nearby
Orchard at Altapass: Started after the Revolutionary War, this orchard has a long and interesting history.
Guidebooks for Blue Ridge Parkway
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Lonely Planet Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trips 2Amy C. Balfour and Virginia Maxwell, 2022Find at Bookshop.org- Hiking and Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, Revised and Expanded EditionLeonard M. Adkins and J. Richard Wells, 2018Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Crabtree Falls Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Crabtree Falls Campground?
Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Crabtree Falls Campground have?
84 sites, including 63 standard sites without power and 18 RV sites without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Crabtree Falls Campground?
The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Crabtree Falls Campground?
The campground offers comfortable tent or RV camping, with the convenience of flush toilets, dump station, and drinking water.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Crabtree Falls Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Crabtree Falls Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Crabtree Falls Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-15, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Crabtree Falls Campground?
Sites 16, 18, 77, and 80 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Crabtree Falls Campground?
Crabtree Falls Trail - a 3-mile loop trail considered moderate to strenuous. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
Which national park is Crabtree Falls Campground in?
Crabtree Falls Campground is a Blue Ridge Parkway campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Blue Ridge Parkway