Basin Cove Backcountry Camping Campground - 8 Sites, Maps & Photos

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.

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.

Nearby: Stone Mountain State Park Stone Mountain State Park Alleghany County Alleghany County Wilkes County Wilkes County New River New River

Phone: 828-276-2300
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.
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 24 (36.433525000000 -81.17739166666) Doughton Park Picnic Area - Milepost 241 (36.433525000000 -81.17739166666) Brinegar Cabin - Milepost 238.5 (36.419452777777 -81.14617222222)