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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

This year-round backcountry camping area has eight campsites each with individual fire rings, lantern post, and food storage boxes. No pit toilet or privy exists so be prepared to dispose of waste properly. Note: Surface water is unsafe. Water from natural sources must be purified by boiling or filtering and disinfecting.

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

Camp site features

Across 8 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 8 sites
Pets allowed: all 8 sites
Largest party: 6 people

Fees

Basin Cove Backcountry Campground reservations are available on a 6-month rolling basis prior to planned start dates. **Backcountry Camping Permit Fee:** $15 per night per site. **Do not print your permit until you have confirmed you will be completing your backcountry trip. Once the permit has been printed you can not cancel or modify the reservation.** **Changes/Modifications** * Changes may be made prior to the day the reservation begins. * If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. * There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. * If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. **Cancellations** * Customers may cancel their reservation prior to day of arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 cancellation fee will be withheld from any refund due back the customer. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). **Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window** * A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will have a $10.00 cancellation fee withheld from their refund AND will forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

Directions

**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 241 (36.433525000000 -81.17739166666) Doughton Park Picnic Area - Milepost 241 (36.433525000000 -81.17739166666) Brinegar Cabin - Milepost 238.5 (36.419452777777 -81.14617222222)

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

Ratings (7)

5 stars

4 stars

Pam F

Loop:Basin Cove

Site:1

Reviewed 2 months ago

The creeks are beautiful and create a lovely audible backdrop to the campground. We had the opportunity to view the blue fireflies late in the evening.

Joren M

Loop:Basin Cove

Site:1

Reviewed 2 months ago

We slept at campsite 1, which is closest to the stream nearby. It was very peaceful sleeping to the sound of rushing water. We filtered the stream water for drinking and had no problem. There is wild honey suckle that smells really good. The hike is also pretty much flat from the parking lot to the campsite. A very easy backpacking experience for people who don't want anything too extreme. There is a fire restriction going on currently, so we didn't get to use the fire pit (camp stove only).

David P

Loop:Basin Cove

Site:2

Reviewed 3 months ago

If backpacking, I recommend the Doughton Loop as your route. To access the Flat Rock Ridge Trail from the primative camping area you must cross the bridge on Longbottom Road, once crossed you will see the trailhead on your right. The area trails are well maintained, and do not appear to have been damaged by the recent tropical storm that ravaged areas of Western North Carolina. The water source at the Grassy Gap backcountry site is dependable. Each campsite is equipped with a bear box for food storage and a fire ring. A small footbridge spans the adjacent creek and provides access to the primitive camping area, as shown on the site map. Site 1 is the closest campsite to the footbridge. At the time of my stay, there were no restroom facilities. In the past, a porta‑john had been located adjacent to the primitive (backcountry) campsites, but it was not present during my visit.

Tony H

Loop:Basin Cove

Site:6

Reviewed 8 months ago

Nice large campsites with some good trails to hike.

Steve V

Loop:Basin Cove

Site:5

Reviewed 9 months ago

Great location for base camp. Easy 1.7 mile hike in from the parking lot then choose from two 13 mile loops or a 20 mile loop around the entire area. Bluff Ridge Primitive trail is… primitive.

Zach W

Loop:Basin Cove

Site:2

Reviewed 9 months ago

Beautiful mountain stream.

Thomas P

Loop:Basin Cove

Site:1

Reviewed 2 years ago

Popularity

Very quiet · 11%

Busiest in August, when about 11% of sites are booked. Based on 1 years of reservations.