NC/VA · Southeast
Blue Ridge Parkway
America's most scenic drive. 469 miles of ridge-top road connecting Shenandoah to the Smokies. No traffic lights, overlooks every 3 miles, and campgrounds along the route. Asheville as the midpoint hub has one of the best food scenes in the Southeast.
- Free road: no tolls, no park fees on the parkway itself
- Asheville is one of the best small cities in the US for food and music
- Max Patch: the most accessible 360° viewpoint in the Eastern US
- Fall color timing spans 3-4 weeks, the easiest fall foliage road trip in America
- NPS campgrounds along the route keep costs to $20/night
Free camping near Blue Ridge Parkway
George Washington NF: Ramsey's Draft Area (VA)
George Washington National Forest
Dispersed camping near the Ramsey's Draft Wilderness in the Shenandoah Valley. Excellent old-growth forest access. Drive Staunton side for easy roadside spots.
How to get there
From Staunton VA, take US-250 west into the national forest. Dispersed camping allowed throughout marked NF sections.
Pisgah NF: Mills River Area (NC)
Pisgah National Forest
Dispersed camping along forest roads near the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. Easy access to BRP overlooks, short drive to Asheville.
How to get there
From Brevard NC, take US-276 north into Pisgah NF. Look for FS roads with pullouts marked for dispersed camping.
Dispersed camping ground rules
- Usually a 14-night limit in one area, then you move on
- Camp at least 200 ft from water, trails and roads
- Pack out all trash. Leave no trace.
- Check local fire restrictions before building a campfire
- No potable water: bring or filter everything you drink
Rules vary by forest and BLM field office, so check with the local ranger district or field office before you go.
Find more free spots
Get an app like iOverlander to find places to camp on public land for free in the states. Other campers post what's there, how rough the road is and whether a ranger moved them on.
- iOverlander (opens in a new tab)Free. Campsites reported by other travelers, with recent notes on access, signal and rangers.
- Campendium (opens in a new tab)Free to browse. A map of free campsites across the US, much of it on public land, with reviews.
Spots change. Read the newest reports and any posted rules before you set up, and pack out everything you bring in.
When to go
- January: month to skip
- February: month to skip
- March
- April
- May: best month
- June: best month
- July
- August
- September: best month
- October: best month
- November: month to skip
- December: month to skip
WanderRank Scores
Daily Cost
$20 to $65
per day (food + transit)
Campsites: $20/night
Plus gas for the drive
Recommended Stay
3 to 7
days · easy difficulty
Drive time from your airport
Avoid if
- You're going in winter. The road closes in sections due to ice and snow
- You expect wilderness. The parkway is curated and manicured, not wild
- Peak October weekends: every pull-off and campsite books up 6 months in advance