Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
Fire Pit
About Basin Cove Backcountry Camping
Number of accommodations: 8
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire
- Fire Pit
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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8 Sites Available
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Reviews (23)
What Guests Are Saying
Basin Cove Backcountry Camping offers a serene experience with beautiful creeks providing a soothing backdrop, and the opportunity to see blue fireflies at night. Campsite 1, closest to the stream, features peaceful sleeping conditions and reliable water sources. While there are no restroom facilities currently, the area boasts well-maintained trails and ample space for camping, making it ideal for easy backpacking trips.
What Guests Are Saying
Basin Cove Backcountry Camping offers a serene experience with beautiful creeks providing a soothing backdrop, and the opportunity to see blue fireflies at night. Campsite 1, closest to the stream, features peaceful sleeping conditions and reliable water sources. While there are no restroom facilities currently, the area boasts well-maintained trails and ample space for camping, making it ideal for easy backpacking trips.
Review Summary
Pam F
VerifiedMay 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Basin Cove
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
VerifiedMay 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Basin Cove
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).
Joren M
VerifiedMay 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Basin Cove
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
VerifiedApril 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Basin Cove
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.
David P
VerifiedApril 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Basin Cove
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.
David P
VerifiedApril 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Basin Cove
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.
George Amato
March 8, 2026
Nice view of a wooded mountain side. Trail access here. One trail alongside the blue ridge parkway and another to flat ridge knob (little views).
Tony H
VerifiedNovember 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Basin Cove
Nice large campsites with some good trails to hike.
Tony H
VerifiedNovember 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Basin Cove
Nice large campsites with some good trails to hike.
Tony H
VerifiedNovember 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Basin Cove
Nice large campsites with some good trails to hike.
Location Basin Cove Backcountry Camping
Address:
Doughton Park Recreation Area Milepost 238
Laurel Springs , NC, 28644
United States
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)
Basin Cove Backcountry Camping is accessible via US Highway 421, which is approximately 17.6 miles away in Wilkesboro, NC. NC Highway 18 also provides access from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.3898 / -81.1621
Elevation: 474 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Cell phone service may be unreliable in this area.
- Check-in is at 3PM and check-out is at 12 Noon.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Wildlife & food storage
- Store food and scented items in bear-proof containers or high in trees.
- Practice bear safety by storing food and scented items properly.
Cancellation policy
- Only print your permit after confirming your trip; it cannot be canceled or changed once printed.
- Carry your printed permit and display the permit number in your vehicle.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
