Basin Cove Backcountry Camping

Doughton Park Recreation Area Milepost 238, Laurel Springs , North Carolina, United States
Check Availability
Basin Cove Backcountry Camping
Special Parkway Fishing Regulations in Basin Cove
Important Information to Stay Informed
Basin Cove Creek
Trails Along the Creek Nearby

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Fire Pit Fire Pit

About Basin Cove Backcountry Camping

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 1,500 ft 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.

Available sites

8 total sites
Tent Sites 8 sites Check Availability

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Fire Pit
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

8 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 1, Loop: Basin Cove Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 2, Loop: Basin Cove Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 3, Loop: Basin Cove Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 4, Loop: Basin Cove Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 5, Loop: Basin Cove Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 6, Loop: Basin Cove Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 7, Loop: Basin Cove Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 8, Loop: Basin Cove Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade

Reviews

25 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Basin Cove Backcountry Camping offers a serene environment with beautiful creeks, peaceful campsites, and the chance to see blue fireflies at night. The hike to the campsite is easy and flat, making it suitable for less experienced backpackers. While there are currently no restroom facilities, the area is well-maintained with reliable water sources and bear boxes at each campsite.

Based on guest feedback

4.4

Overall rating

Based on 25 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 44.0% (11)
4 stars 52.0% (13)
3 stars 4.0% (1)
2 stars 0.0% (0)
1 star 0.0% (0)

Showing 20 reviews

Verified Only
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Zach W

Verified

October 19, 2025 Stayed at: 2, Loop: Basin Cove

Beautiful mountain stream.

Helpful

Zach W

Verified

October 19, 2025 Stayed at: 2, Loop: Basin Cove

Beautiful mountain stream.

Helpful

Zach W

Verified

October 19, 2025 Stayed at: 2, Loop: Basin Cove

Beautiful mountain stream.

Helpful

Steve V

Verified

October 26, 2025 Stayed at: 5, Loop: Basin Cove

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

Helpful

Steve V

Verified

October 26, 2025 Stayed at: 5, Loop: Basin Cove

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

Helpful

Location & Directions for Basin Cove Backcountry Camping

Doughton Park Recreation Area Milepost 238, Laurel Springs , NC 28644 United States

Elevation: 474 ft

Getting There

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 mi.

· Turn Left on Longbottom Road and go 6.4 m...

Nearest town

Laurel Springs , NC - 16 mi

About 28 min to downtown

Highway access

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.

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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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Laurel Springs

6 mi away

Day trip
Explore destination

Sparta

8 mi away

City
Explore destination

Piney Creek

13 mi away

City

Last updated: October 21, 2026

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Explore Laurel Springs , NC

Nearby city: Winston-Salem, NC

Approx. 55 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,753 ft

Learn more about Laurel Springs

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