Basin Cove Backcountry Camping

Basin Cove Backcountry Camping is a primitive campground located in historic Basin Cove at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Multiple trails allow access to the campground, with trails descending over 1500 feet from the parkway into the Basin Cove area. The easiest trail is the Grassy Gap Fire Road entrance from Longbottom Road. This year-round campground has eight campsites, each equipped with individual fire rings, lantern posts, and food storage boxes. No pit toilet or privy exists, so campers must be prepared to dispose of waste properly. Surface water is unsafe and must be purified by boiling or filtering and disinfecting. The campground is situated among a mixed hardwood and conifer forest with multiple creeks providing fishing opportunities. Black bears inhabit the surrounding 6,000 plus acres of public land. Overnight parking for backcountry is permitted at designated areas, such as beside a small bridge on Longbottom Road at coordinates 36.3752, -81.1447, elevation 1440 feet. Check-in time is 3 PM and check-out time is 12 Noon. Cell phones most likely do not work in the area.

Directions

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

Directions

The parkway is a 469-mile-long scenic road connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Numerous federal and state highways provide access to the parkway. Milepost markers are positioned every mile along the parkway, starting at 0 in Virginia and ending at 469 in North Carolina. We suggest using a map to identify the area you want to visit, as GPS directions often do not incorporate the parkway's milepost system.