Basin Cove Backcountry Camping campground
Laurel Springs , North Carolina

Basin Cove Backcountry Camping

Mostly first-come
8 campsites
Open in maps

8

Total Campsites

Campground

Reservable Sites

Mostly first-come

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Basin Cove Backcountry Camping

Overview Basin Cove backcountry is a primitive camp located in historic Basin Cove at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.. Multiple trails allow access to the primitive campground. Click to see a map Doughton Park Hiking Trails Overnight parking for backcountry is permitted at designated areas. From the parkway, the trails descend over 1500 feet into the Basin Cove Area. Easiest trail is the Grassy Gap Fire Road entrance from Longbottom Road. This year-round campground has eight campsites each with individual fire rings, lantern post, and food storage boxes. No pit toilet or privy exists. Note particularly that surface water is unsafe. Water from natural sources must be purified by boiling or filtering and disinfecting. Thunderstorms are common along the escarpment. Cell phones most likely do not work in the area. Multiple creeks provide fishing opportunities. Recreation Doughton Park trails system offers more than 28 miles of hiking trails. From the campsites, trails ascend 1,500 feet to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The most difficult trail up to the parkway is the Bluff’s primitive trail. The easiest route in and out of the campsite is at Longbottom Road via the Grassy Gap Fire Road. Facilities Doughton Park trails system offers more than 28 miles of hiking trails. From the campsites, trails ascend 1,500 feet to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The most difficult trail up to the parkway is the Bluff’s primitive trail. The easiest route in and out of the campsite is at Longbottom Road via the Grassy Gap Fire Road. Natural Features Basin Cove was a thriving community of over 50 families from 1863 to 1916. Two stalled tropic storms dumped 22.2 inches of rain during a 3-day period in 1916, causing massive mudslides that wiped out all but 1 and half homes. Remnants of homesites and graves are scattered throughout the area. The 3.5-mile Caudill Cabin trail leads the only existing cabin. The campground is situated among a mixed hardwood and conifer forest with multiple creeks. Special Parkway water regulations apply in Basin Cove. Fishing Black Bears inhabit the 6,000 plus acres of public land. contact_info For facility specific information, please call (828) 276-2300. Nearby Attractions Stone Mountain State Park Stone Mountain State Park Alleghany County Alleghany County Wilkes County Wilkes County New River New River

  • 8 total campsites listed.
  • Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
  • Most common site type: unknown (8).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Basin Cove Backcountry Camping photo 2
Basin Cove Backcountry Camping photo 3

Our Take

What makes Basin Cove Backcountry Camping special

Deep in the folds of Doughton Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway in northwestern North Carolina, Basin Cove Backcountry Camping takes you into a landscape rich with both natural beauty and mountain heritage. The cove, a steep-walled basin carved by Cove Creek, was once home to a small Appalachian farming community, and traces of old homesteads, stone walls, and apple trees still dot the forest floor. Hiking here feels like stepping backward in time. Eight backcountry sites are available along the trail system, requiring a hike of several miles to reach. Facilities are nonexistent beyond the trail itself, so pack in all water, food, and supplies, and pack out everything you carry. The Bluff Mountain Trail and Basin Creek Trail loop through the area, offering a challenging but rewarding route with significant elevation change and creek crossings that can run high after rain. May and June bring wildflowers and lush green canopy, while October is simply magnificent, the surrounding hardwoods blazing with color visible for miles from the parkway overlooks above. Summer offers comfortable temperatures at elevation but watch for afternoon storms. A free backcountry permit is required and available at the Doughton Park contact station. Weekend demand can be steady during peak leaf season, so midweek trips offer more solitude. Basin Cove is a place where the Blue Ridge Parkway's quieter, deeper character reveals itself to those willing to walk.

Campsite Inventory

8 sites to choose from

Unknown

8total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

CAMPFIRE RINGS

Campfire Rings

CREEK ACCESS

Creek Access

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

Double

Check-in time

03:00 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

FOOD STORAGE LOCKER

Food Storage Locker

Fire Pit

Fire Pit

Max guests

6

Minimum guests

Yes

Pets allowed

Yes

Proximity to Water

Springs

Shade

Yes

Site Access

Hike-In

TRAILHEAD PARKING

Trailhead Parking

TRAILHEADS

Trailheads

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mostly first-come

Phone

828-348-3510

Email

blri_campgrounds@nps.gov

Getting There

Grassy Gap Fire Road on Long Bottom Road is the shortest and easiest route into the backcountry.   Long Bottom Road from Blue Ridge parkway  · From the Blue Ridge Parkway, Head South on NC 18 for 6.2 miles. · Turn Left on Longbottom Road and go 6.4 miles to a small Bridge with Black & Yellow Marker signs.  · Parking Area (36.3752 -81.1447) is beside the Bridge. Elevation 1440. · Trail to Basin Cove Primitive Camping Area is across the Road from the Parking Area. Look for gated road.  Note: Long bottom road can be accessed from other routes.    1/ Basin Cove from Wilkesboro, NC From US Hwy 421 in Wilkesboro, take Hwy 18 North towards Sparta. Travel approximately 17.6 miles to Longbottom Road in the community named McGrady. Turn right on Longbottom Road and go 6.4 miles to a small Bridge with Black & Yellow Marker signs.  2/ Alternative routes from the east include US hwy 21 and from Stone Moutain State Park.   Other locations to park are along the Blue Ridge Parkway as follows: Bluff Mountain Overlook - Milepost 243.4 (36.408341666666 -81.195863888888) Basin Cove Overlook - Milepost 244 (36.391030555555 -81.20025833333) Grassy Gap Fire Road - Milepost 243.9 (36.404694444444 -81.19649722222) Bluff's Restaurant - Milepost 24 (36.433525000000 -81.17739166666) Doughton Park Picnic Area - Milepost 241 (36.433525000000 -81.17739166666) Brinegar Cabin - Milepost 238.5 (36.419452777777 -81.14617222222)

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Basin Cove Backcountry Camping.

How do reservations work for Basin Cove Backcountry Camping?

Reservation availability for Basin Cove Backcountry Camping can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Basin Cove Backcountry Camping?

Basin Cove Backcountry Camping currently lists Unknown (8).

Where is Basin Cove Backcountry Camping located?

Basin Cove Backcountry Camping is in North Carolina near Laurel Springs . Coordinates: 36.3898, -81.1621.

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