Julian Price Campground

North Carolina is celebrated for its stunning natural landscapes, with the Blue Ridge Mountains standing as a majestic testament to our state's beauty. For those who seek to immerse themselves in this grandeur, camping along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway offers an unparalleled experience. Julian Price Campground, nestled at Milepost 297 near Blowing Rock, serves as a popular and accessible gateway to this breathtaking region. Managed by the National Park Service (NPS), this campground aims to provide a quintessential mountain camping adventure, complete with picturesque scenery and direct access to renowned hiking trails and serene Price Lake.

Julian Price Campground is more than just a place to pitch a tent or park an RV; it's an integral part of the Julian Price Memorial Park, a vast 4,200-acre expanse dedicated to public recreation. This park, along with the adjacent Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, forms the largest developed area on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway, offering an abundance of outdoor activities right at your fingertips. While it provides the essential amenities for a comfortable stay, it maintains a rustic charm that emphasizes connection with nature.

As a National Park Service campground, Julian Price offers a distinct experience compared to private campgrounds. It adheres to specific regulations designed to preserve the natural environment and ensure a consistent visitor experience across the parkway system. While some campers may encounter challenges, such as variable noise levels or maintenance, its enduring appeal lies in its unparalleled location and the direct access it provides to some of North Carolina's most beloved natural attractions. For North Carolinians looking for an authentic mountain escape under the care of the NPS, Julian Price Campground remains a prominent option.

Julian Price Campground is spectacularly located at Milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just a short drive from the charming mountain town of Blowing Rock, NC. Its address, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA, directly indicates its prime position along one of America's most scenic drives. This places it in the heart of North Carolina's High Country, an area renowned for its majestic peaks, lush forests, and vibrant local culture.

The accessibility of Julian Price Campground is a key advantage for North Carolinians. Being directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway means campers can enjoy a picturesque drive right to the entrance. For those traveling from major cities like Charlotte, Winston-Salem, or Asheville, the journey to the campground is part of the scenic experience, winding through beautiful mountain vistas. While the Blue Ridge Parkway itself can be subject to seasonal closures due to weather (especially ice and snow in winter), during the typical camping season (mid-May through October), access is generally straightforward.

Upon arrival, the campground is designed to accommodate both RVs and tent campers, with designated loops for each. While individual sites do not have electric or water hookups, potable water and a dump station are available within the campground for convenience. It's important to note that cell service can be non-existent in this area of the Parkway, as is common in many national park settings, so campers should be prepared to disconnect or rely on pre-downloaded maps and information. Despite this, its location offers immediate access to Price Lake for boating and fishing, as well as trailheads for popular hikes like the Price Lake Loop, Boone Fork Trail, and the Tanawha Trail, making it an ideal base for exploring the abundant natural beauty of the Blowing Rock area.

• Tent and RV Sites: The campground offers a mix of sites suitable for both tent camping and recreational vehicles, accommodating various camping styles. It features 119 tent sites and 78 RV sites.
• No Hookups at Sites: Individual campsites typically do not provide electric, water, or sewer hookups. This means campers should be prepared for a more rustic experience, relying on self-sufficiency or communal facilities.
• Potable Water: Drinking water is available at various points throughout the campground, allowing campers to refill their water containers.
• Comfort Stations with Flush Toilets and Sinks: The campground provides communal comfort stations equipped with flush toilets and sinks, offering a more convenient option than pit toilets found in more primitive settings.
• Showers: Showers are available within the campground (specifically noted in Loop D), providing a facility for personal hygiene. A fee may apply for non-campers using these facilities.
• Dump Station: An RV dump station is available for recreational vehicles to dispose of wastewater. A fee may apply for non-campers.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring (often with a grill), allowing for outdoor cooking and gathering around a campfire.
• Lantern Poles: Sites also include lantern poles, a useful feature for hanging lights in the evening.
• On-Site Campground Hosts: The presence of campground hosts (like Greg and Vicki mentioned in reviews) indicates on-site assistance and management, offering help and guidance to campers.
• Ranger Programs: During the summer months, rangers often present interpretive programs at the 300-seat amphitheater located within the campground, offering educational and engaging activities.
• Canoe and Kayak Rentals: Canoe and kayak rentals are available at Price Lake, providing easy access to water recreation.
• Backcountry Camping Permits: Julian Price Campground office issues free permits for limited backcountry camping in the nearby Johns River Road area.

• Stunning Blue Ridge Parkway Location: Situated directly on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 297, offering unparalleled access to one of America's most iconic drives and breathtaking mountain views.
• Adjacent to Price Lake: Campers have direct access to the beautiful 47-acre Price Lake, perfect for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and enjoying serene lakeside views. Canoe and kayak rentals are available.
• Extensive Hiking Trail Access: The campground serves as a trailhead for several popular and scenic trails, including the Price Lake Loop (2.5 miles), Boone Fork Trail (5.0 miles), Green Knob Trail (2.3 miles), and the renowned Tanawha Trail (part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail).
• Proximity to Blowing Rock: Located just 20 minutes from the charming town of Blowing Rock, offering convenient access to dining, shopping, and local attractions.
• Largest Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway: With 193 total campsites (119 tent, 78 RV, 5 accessible), it's the largest campground along the Parkway, offering a wide selection of sites.
• National Park Service Managed: Operated by the NPS, ensuring adherence to national park standards for conservation and visitor experience, and often providing ranger-led programs.
• Diverse Forest and Wildlife: Surrounded by a rich forest of hemlock, white pine, oak, hickory, and birch trees, with opportunities for wildlife viewing, including bears, grouse, turkeys, owls, and hawks.
• Beautiful Fall Foliage: The area is renowned for its vivid orange and red foliage displays in autumn, making it a spectacular destination during the fall season.
• Historic Significance: Part of the Julian Price Memorial Park, named after insurance executive Julian Price, and adjacent to the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, both significant historical sites on the Parkway.

As a campground managed by the National Park Service (NPS), Julian Price Campground typically does not offer commercial promotions, discounts, or special packages in the same way private campgrounds might. Its pricing is generally standardized across NPS facilities and focuses on the base nightly rate for campsites.

However, certain federal passes can provide discounts on camping fees. Holders of the Interagency Senior Pass (for U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62 or over) or the Interagency Access Pass (for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities) are entitled to a 50% discount on campground fees. These passes can be obtained at various federal recreation sites, including many NPS campgrounds.

Current pricing for campsites at Julian Price Campground is generally $30.00 per night. It's important to note that while some sites may have been available on a first-come, first-served basis in the past, the trend is moving towards reservations being highly recommended or even required, especially during peak season. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov or by calling their national reservation line.

Any potential changes in fees or operational policies would be announced on the official National Park Service website for the Blue Ridge Parkway. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on rates, availability, and reservation policies, North Carolinians are advised to visit Recreation.gov or contact the campground office directly. The primary "offer" of Julian Price Campground lies in its prime location within a protected national park area and the wealth of natural attractions it provides access to.

Address: Blue Rdg Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA

Phone: (828) 963-5911

Mobile Phone: +1 828-963-5911

For reservations, visit Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.

For North Carolinians, Julian Price Campground offers a quintessential Blue Ridge Mountain camping experience that is deeply woven into the fabric of our state’s natural heritage. Its location directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just a stone's throw from the charming town of Blowing Rock, makes it incredibly accessible for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation for residents across the state. We have the privilege of living near this iconic scenic byway, and Julian Price Campground provides an excellent opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in its beauty.

While some reviews highlight challenges with noise or facilities, it’s important to remember that this is an NPS campground, offering a more natural and less commercialized experience than many private sites. The trade-off for limited hookups and potentially rustic facilities is unparalleled access to Price Lake for paddling and fishing, and a vast network of hiking trails, including the famous Tanawha Trail, right from your campsite. These are the experiences that truly define mountain adventure in North Carolina, allowing us to hike, explore, and breathe in the crisp mountain air.

For tent campers seeking a genuine outdoor experience, or RVers who are self-sufficient, Julian Price Campground provides a beautiful backdrop. Its commitment to preserving the natural environment, as evidenced by NPS management, aligns with the values of many North Carolinians who cherish our state parks and national forests. Despite potential for crowds during peak season, the sheer beauty of the surrounding Julian Price Memorial Park, combined with the opportunities for hiking, fishing, and enjoying ranger programs, makes it a valuable and suitable destination for locals seeking an authentic connection with the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a place where we can truly appreciate the wild and scenic heart of North Carolina.