Camp Observer1 of 9 photos
Crabtree Falls Campground
Overview
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. It is a magical place when mist hangs in the air, as coyote and deer tiptoe through and barred owls call out. Crabtree Falls, a spectacular 70-foot waterfall which is one of the most photographed in the area, is accessible from the campground.
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.
Overmountain Victory Trail - recognizing the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, patriots from what is now East Tennessee, who crossed the Unaka Mountains and then fought the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Access the Orchard Trail portion from behind the Minerals Museum and hike about 5 miles to Lynn Gap.
Facilities
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. Availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk.
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.
Nearby Attractions
Orchard at Altapass: Started after the Revolutionary War, this orchard has a long and interesting history.
Camp site features
Across 81 camp sites:
- Fire pit: 77 of 81 sites
- Pets allowed: all 81 sites
- ADA accessible: 4 of 81 sites
- Longest rig: 55 ft
- Largest party: 6 people
Directions
From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north about 40 miles to Milepost
339.5.
Stay Limit
Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (74)
5 stars
38
4 stars
24
3 stars
7
2 stars
3
1 stars
2
John L
Loop:B
Site:89
Reviewed 2 years ago
We camped the weekend before the big storm. It was a beautiful weekend and the family loved it! We saw a bear walking through the camp while getting set up, he didn’t pay any attention to us and just walked right through. The waterfall was beautiful, I hope it’s still good!
Amanda P
Loop:B
Site:25
Reviewed 2 years ago
Had the park been busy I think we would have been disappointed..the sites are extremely close together. However it wasn't and the park very well kept. We will be back. Jonathon the ranger was the most helpful polite and accommodating . I can't thank him enough for how helpful he was and super knowlegable. You can tell he loves his job
Norman A
Loop:A
Site:12
Reviewed 2 years ago
Very clean and well maintained.
We were van camping, nice parking pad.
Great trail head nearby for hike to the falls
Very quiet campground
Fred M
Loop:A
Site:16
Reviewed 2 years ago
We loved the campground setting with plenty of trees, and the proximity to the trail to Crabtree Falls. The campsite condition was okay, not much grass, in general the site seemed messy and unkept. But it was sufficient for a one night stay while on our road trip.
Zachary B
Loop:A
Site:3
Reviewed 3 years ago
We thought Crabtree Falls was the prettiest of the .gov blue ridge parkway campgrounds. The hosts were very helpful and friendly. The hike to the falls was awesome. The setting for most rv spots seemed nice and the restrooms were fairly clean. The dump station is on an uphill slope which means the tanks don't get 100% empty, so that's probably the only bummer we encountered.
Normand M
Loop:A
Site:1
Reviewed 3 years ago
Very nice campground. Some site are very unlevel unfortunately but it was easy for us to pick another site. Worth the stop.
Lillian G
Loop:B
Site:29
Reviewed 3 years ago
Great spot for car camping. We booked late, so our site was a little close to the bathroom and the automatic hand dryers, but the spots were spaced out and nice. Goes without saying it’s nice to be able to hike to some beautiful falls from your camp spot. Tent camp sites truly only fit one vehicle, but there is overflow parking. Ranger on site was very committed to the rules and definitely did not want to have to write anyone a ticket, which he made clear.
Kendall T
Loop:B
Site:83
Reviewed 3 years ago
In total disrepair. It’s truly a shame. The bathrooms hadn’t been cleaned in months and the women’s restroom had no soap. We even told the “law enforcers” that rode around constantly on their electric bikes and they did nothing about it. Also, the fact that not ever site had a bear proof metal bin was ridiculous. We had three sites and there wasn’t a single bin near any of the sites. The campsites are too close together and the first come first serve are much better sites but how can you plan a trip around that?? Such a shame.
Madelyn W
Loop:B
Site:30
Reviewed 3 years ago
I was very impressed with the campground. It had more amenities than I expected for a "primitive" site, but I wasn't complaining.
Ryan V
Loop:A
Site:9
Reviewed 3 years ago
Landscape was beautiful as was the general campground, but resources were not as great. No showers, and restrooms are not well cleaned. Very limited location of garbage bins.
chrys h
Loop:B
Site:31
Reviewed 3 years ago
campsites in B loop are crammed in together, no privacy. bathrooms were clean.
Karla K
Loop:A
Site:13
Reviewed 3 years ago
Beautiful area and a fun park. Hike to Crabtree Falls was a great experience.
Kevin S
Loop:A
Site:22
Reviewed 3 years ago
Staff and hosts were friendly and helpful. Great location. Hike to the falls was an outstanding experience.
Bart G
Loop:A
Site:18
Reviewed 3 years ago
We did not make it. had a granddaughter go to Vanderbilt hospital. went on the app and canceled reservations, but did not see any refund.
George L
Loop:B
Site:90
Reviewed 3 years ago
I camped here twenty years ago. It sparkled, was full of campers, had a store and a gift shop. Now it looks rundown, the store was abandoned, and everything looks terrible including the overgrown Amphitheater. The park service needs to spend a million dollars and polish things up.
Bianca M
Loop:B
Site:77
Reviewed 3 years ago
Really enjoyed my stay here with my boyfriend last weekend! The campground is well maintained and managed, everything is clean. Bathrooms have running water. Walkable distance to Crabtree Falls trail, which is always amazing, especially in the mornings! :)
Little Switzerland and the Chalet Restaurant at the Switzerland Inn is only 15 minutes away, so it's possible to have a nice dinner before camping under the stars, which is a really unique and fun combination.
David M
Loop:A
Site:19
Reviewed 3 years ago
Really nice underused campground. Nice walk to the waterfall.
Allen A
Loop:B
Site:81
Reviewed 3 years ago
We went in mid August during the weekdays and it was very uncrowded which was nice. Our site was spacious and had plenty of level ground. We did wish the sites could have been more private, but it was fine. Fortunately we had sweet neighbors who were very quiet.
The bathrooms were clean and the water was good.
Would have loved having a shower, but at least you can hike down to the river to freshen up. The hike to the waterfall was very good. Worth it for sure.
Susan T
Loop:A
Site:18
Reviewed 3 years ago
We enjoyed the campground at Crabtree Falls. We especially like that it was located so close to Spruce Pines where we dined out and made last minute grocery purchases.
Donald G
Loop:A
Site:9
Reviewed 3 years ago
Very peaceful stay at this campground. Absolutely beautiful area. Only negative, so very sad to see the deteriorated abandoned structures. At least remove them.
chrys h
Loop:B
Site:82
Reviewed 3 years ago
really nice campground. some sites are close together, others are a little more private. Trail from campground to Crabtree Falls.
Justin q
Loop:B
Site:85
Reviewed 4 years ago
Beautiful area, campsites have great cooking fire pit, quiet environment.
Bathrooms are atrocious
Tamyra H
Loop:A
Site:12
Reviewed 4 years ago
It was our first time camping in our new RV with no electric hookup. It was a perfect fall day. We had no issue parking. Unfortunately, we had to move to another spot because we couldn't reserve for same spot for two consecutive nights. Disappointing that people don't cancel when they can't make it. The hike was perfect -- a few more people than we expected, but everyone was courteous.
Vivian B
Loop:B
Site:38
Reviewed 4 years ago
Very nice campground, the perfect midpoint for access to all the BRP attractions and overlooks. Very helpful to be able to view the specific site layouts on Rec.gov prior to booking. NP staff and rangers were friendly and helpful and we met some very nice fellow campers too! Special shout out to information volunteer Rachel stationed at the trailhead parking lot who gave very good advice on local attractions to check out. During your stay, plan to sit outside late one night for a wonderful view of the (bright!) moon and the night sky stars. The hike to the Falls is a must see but take your walking stick and plan to stop to rest along the way. Little to no cell service (unless you are lucky enough to have a camper van nearby with a signal booster!) so plan to do all your texting, calls and downloads while you are out of the campground visiting attractions.
Kaye S
Loop:A
Site:3
Reviewed 4 years ago
Great campground, professional staff and easy access to Crabtree Falls.
David M
Loop:B
Site:82
Reviewed 4 years ago
There was no campground host, most of the sites were run down and it seemed abandoned.
Josclyn R
Loop:B
Site:25
Reviewed 4 years ago
Had a great quick camping trip with the kids. Bathrooms weren't great but functional. Our site (B25) didn't have a tent pad and so our tent was on a bit of a slope with poison ivy all around. But it worked for what we needed and appreciated the privacy of not being in the inner circle of the loop. The hike to the waterfall was great and appreciated how close the trail was!
Jeffrey H
Loop:A
Site:1
Reviewed 4 years ago
eeds attention to bathhouses -clean but need work -sites
good but a little small
Pam H
Loop:A
Site:22
Reviewed 4 years ago
Location is excellent to visit Linville Falls and Caverns, Little Switzerland, Boone and Blowing Rock. The location just off the Blue Ridge Parkway makes it easy to go for a beautiful scenic drive. The NC Mineral Museum is a great stop as well.
Layla A
Loop:B
Site:83
Reviewed 4 years ago
Beautiful little campsite right off the BRP. Nice access to Crabtree Falls (about a mile down and a mile back - almost entirely uphill coming back from the falls). Lots of shade. The spots are very close together. I camped in my car, but there are spots for your tent. Bear lockers are available too. The bathrooms are a little small for a wheelchair. I don't personally use a wheelchair, but I feel like the handicapped stall was a little too small for a wheelchair, but I'm not sure. I was there for Labor Day weekend and I did not see any bears, but I did see a couple of deer, but still bring bear spray to be safe.
Pretty close to Spruce Pine and Little Switzerland if you drive north and are looking for some little shops and restaurants. There's also Emerald Village which is great if you are wanted to see a mine and pan for gems and minerals and gold - fun for kids and adults. You're also close to Mt. Mitchell if you go South. There's also a spring right outside of Micaville (https://findaspring.com/spring/locations/the-celo-spout/) and the water is very good. Copy the coordinates into your GPS and go fill up all your water there - it's very refreshing, and it's a cute little town. If you wanted to, you could head down to Mt. Mitchell in the morning, then head North up to the spring, then go to Emerald Village and tour the mine and pan for minerals (if you tour the mine, mill, and pan it'll take you about 2 hours, maybe longer with kids - I went by myself), then you could head into Spruce Pine for dinner on the golf course, or to Little Switzerland for dinner at the Switzerland Inn. The Museum for North Carolina minerals is also a good quick stop, and if you have your National Parks passport you can get it stamped there for the blue ridge parkway. It also doubles as the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce so you can find flyers and brochures for other things to do there.
I loved my stay at this campground and you're very close to many hiking trails and things to see.
Amanda G
Loop:A
Site:9
Reviewed 4 years ago
Awesome campground. We had the best site in the campground, A9. Highly recommend the hike to Crabtree Falls right from the campground, Mt. Mitchell, and Linville Falls. Little Switzerland cafe not too far with good eats. Pull into the nearest overlook for fabulous sunsets.
Jonathan G
Loop:B
Site:37
Reviewed 4 years ago
Great campsite(s). We ultimately stayed at B91 because the bench at the picnic table of the original site I'd booked was rotted away. A (relatively) short hike down to the falls from the tent camping sites. Had nearly the whole campground to ourselves and just could barely make out the Milky Way with the naked eye for the first time in my life. Wish the comfort stations had warm showers.
Melissa R
Loop:A
Site:15
Reviewed 4 years ago
This campground was a great place especially for those tent camping. The area for trailers was not as well designed but much of that may have been due to being designed when trailers had fewer slides. Our site we had to put out orange cones to make sure no one hit our slide. The hosts were very helpful. Bathrooms were clean but older.
Hannah K
Loop:B
Site:23
Reviewed 5 years ago
I could barely find the campground, but I did find love so there's that.
Christina A
Loop:A
Site:3
Reviewed 5 years ago
Beautiful small campground off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nice size sites for campers, clean bathrooms but no showers or hot water. The trail to the falls is a must do. You are close to Mt. Mitchell.
Brady I
Loop:B
Site:37
Reviewed 5 years ago
Rangers were nice and park over All was great. Bathrooms are rough, they were mostly clean though out of soap and just really needed a remodel
Patrick N
Loop:B
Site:75
Reviewed 5 years ago
I honestly hope that no one reads this review because I selfishly want Crabtree Falls to remain a hidden gem. However, this campground deserves an honest review from someone who has been visiting for 13 years now.
Crabtree Falls is the best campground on or near the parkway during the fall if you love seeing fall colors and want to be a short hike from one of the most beautiful waterfalls in NC. There is little to no cellphone reception (I’m weird in that I prefer being able to disconnect when I camp) unless you take the short walk up to the area where the dumpsters are. Another perk to this campground is that it isn’t well known which means you can almost always get a FCFS site even on the weekend. With that said, we did notice that this year (weekend of October 15, 2021) was busier compared to years past, but even then there were plenty of sites available for tents (didn’t inspect RV sites closely but they seemed to have a few available too). All of this is extremely impressive when you consider we were camping around peak season. In terms of locating the campground, good luck trying to use GPS. Your best option is to look up Little Switzerland, NC and drive there which is a very small community right off the parkway about 10-15 minutes from the campground. One more thing to take note of, temperatures around the campground can very in mid October year to year and it is not uncommon to see lows in the low 30’s and the high to reach the low 70’s. In fact, I would argue that is the usual norm as of late.
Hope this review helps!
Popularity
Very quiet · 9%
Busiest in July, when about 9% of sites are booked. Based on 5 years of reservations.