Openings · last 7 days
0
Availability is not tracked here yet
Campsite Sniper does not currently hold availability data for Doughton Park Campground. That is a gap in what Campsite Sniper tracks — it does not mean the facility is full, closed, or unavailable. Recreation.gov may well be showing open dates right now.
The site details and map below come from the public Recreation.gov record and are accurate. For current dates and to book, go to Recreation.gov.
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233369
When Doughton Park Campground reopens
Doughton Park Campground's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
120
Openings · last 90 days
187
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dFriday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected. 83 of 187 openings detected in the last 90 days occurred on a Friday (44.4%), with Wednesday (27) and Thursday (20) next in line.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 13:00 and 19:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 96 of 187 detected openings (51.3%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Eastern Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 6 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 3–12.5 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| B07 | 16 | 8.6% |
| B19 | 16 | 8.6% |
| B03 | 16 | 8.6% |
| B11 | 16 | 8.6% |
| A01 | 14 | 7.5% |
Site B07 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 16. One free watch covers every site here.
About Doughton Park Campground
Overview
Nestled in a landscape of mountains, open meadows and pioneer cabins, Doughton Park Campground is surrounded by 30 miles (48 km) of hiking trails offering opportunities to view wildlife as well as get a feel for the lives of those who lived here long ago. Originally known as The Bluffs, the area came by its present name in honor of Congressman Robert L. Doughton, a long-time advocate and supporter of the Parkway.
Recreation
Over 30 miles of trails are available varying from strenuous to easy. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are prohibited on trails. Mileage listed is only traveling one way. Double the trail mileage to include out and back trip. Trail elevations can change more than 2,000 feet as trails descend into the Basin Cove Creek area from the parkway. Maps available on the Blue Ridge Parkway.gov website.
Bluff Mountain Trail (7.5 miles) offers many scenic vistas and traverses relatively flat terrain. The trail runs near the parkway and is accessible from many locations along its route from Brinegar Cabin to Basin Cove Overlook.
Cedar Ridge Trail (4.4 miles) descends a forested ridgeline to Grassy Gap Fire Road. Trailhead is located at the Brinegar Cabin.
Grassy Gap Fire Road (6.1 miles) is wide enough for hikers and horseback riders to travel side by side. The trail starts at Milepost 243.9 and ambles down the mountainside past the primitive campground to State Route 1730 (Longbottom Road). Horseback riders must enter and exit at Longbottom Road.
Flat Rock Ridge Trail (5.0) miles begins on the mountain-top meadow of Basin Cove Overlook. And ends on the damp, cool banks of Basin Cove Creek. NC Thurmond Game Lands and bear sanctuary border the south side of the trail.
Basin Cove Creek Trail (3.2 miles) is accessible only from the grassy Gap Fire Road at the Long Bottom Road (State Hwy 1730). A 1.7-mile hike is required to reach the beginning of the Basin Cove Creek. It winds past cascading waterfalls to the century-old Caudill Cabin, former home of the Martin Caudill family. Part of the once-thriving Basin cove Community, this cabin was one of the few structures that withstood the devasting 1916 flood. Prepare for over 26 creek crossings on this trail. The total trip one way is 4.9 miles and 9.8 miles for the total trip.
Bluff Ridge Primitive Trail (2.7 miles) is the shortest but steepest route into Basin Cove. The strenuous climb up the trail makes the hike seem much longer. Trailhead location is in the Bluffs Picnic Area.
Fodder Stack Trail (1.4 miles roundtrip) shows off its delicate display of wildflowers in the spring. It is the easiest hike through a mixture of pine and hardwood forest with a short, steep brief beginning. Recommended for families. Trailhead is at Wildcat Rocks Overlook.
The Brinegar Cabin dates from about 1885 and was the home of Martin Brinegar and his family. Brinegar was a cobbler as well as a farmer. His home is open Memorial Day weekend days through October. Hand-loom weaving and other craft demonstrations are often given during the summer months. The one-room Caudill Cabin exhibit can be viewed from the scenic Wildcat Rocks (milepost 240.6).
Historic Cemetery: near milepost marker 245.5. The cemetery contains some three dozen graves dating from the 1880's to more recent times.
The Basin Cove Creek complex (mileposts 238 - 244) (located off the Parkway on Longbottom Road) has Rainbow and Brook Trout where the streams are stocked. Anyone with a valid Virginia or North Carolina fishing license is welcome, but please check with the visitor center for any special regulations.
Facilities
Doughton Park has a picnic area (at milepost 241), a campground (milepost 239), comfort stations, drinking water and access to 30 miles (48 km) of trail over bluegrass bluffs. The historic Bluff’s restaurant has reopened (at milepost 241). The restaurant’s web page, www.bluffsrestaurant.org, provides information on hours and menu.
Campsites are shaded under an umbrella of thick trees, and provide campers with tables, latern posts, plus, campfire rings and grills. The site also offers camper conveniences like flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station.
Doughton Park Campground usually has campsites available. Three group sites are available by reservation at www.recreation.gov. In addition to the 33 sites available for advance reservation, 70 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk.
With regard to backcountry camping: A permit is required to camp at Basin Cove Backcountry Camping. The cost is $15 per night. Permits and other details are available at https://www.recreation.gov/ .
Natural Features
Rolling ridgetop meadows and steep mountainsides characterize the 7,000-acre Doughton Park. The elevation is a cool 3688 feet. It is one of the best places along the motor road to view white-tailed deer, raccoons, red and gray foxes, and bobcats. Visitors can enjoy spectacular shows of flame azalea and rhododendron in the late spring and fields of Dense Blazing Stars in mid to late July. Nearby Bluffs picnic area features open areas for night sky viewing with limited light pollution.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
Nearby Attractions
Mount Airy, NC : Andy Griffith's hometown, the ideal American town that was the inspiration for Mayberry--Hwy 52 South; 12 miles south of Fancy Gap, VA: https://www.visitmayberry.com/
New River National Wild and Scenic River offers excellent opportunities for tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing . Multiple access points and several local outfitters are available within a 30‑minute drive of the campground. https://www.fws.gov/rivers/river/new
Sparta, NC & Allegheny County: https://www.alleghanycountychamber.com/
West Jefferson, Jefferson Lansing, and Todd: https://ashechamber.com/
Wilkes County: https://wilkescountytourism.com/#/
Yadkin Valley, NC: North Carolina Wine Country - Yadkin Valley, NC
122 monitored sites80 FCFS sitesRVs up to 90 ftNo hookups108 shadedPets OKFire pitsMax party 20
Getting there
Note: GPS devices and mapping programs do NOT provide accurate directions to Doughton Park Campground. GPS devices and mapping programs may take campers onto steep grades and gravel or dirt country roads not suitable for RV or trailer travel. From Charlotte: Take I-77 North. Merge onto US-21-BYP N via EXIT 83 on the left toward Roaring Gap/Sparta. Go 2.9 miles. Merge onto US-21. Go 18.1 miles. Turn left to take the Parkway South ramp. Turn south onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Go 10 miles to Doughton Park Campground. From Raleigh: Take I-40 West. Merge onto US-421 North via EXIT 188 toward Yadkinville/Wilkesboro. Go 28.3 miles. Merge onto I-77 N via EXIT 265A toward Elkin. Go 10.1 miles. Merge onto US-21-BYP N via EXIT 83 on the left toward Roaring Gap/Sparta. Go 2.9 miles. Merge onto US-21. Go 18.1 miles. Turn left to take the Parkway South ramp. Turn south onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Go 10 miles to Doughton Park Campground.
Milepost 239 Blue Ridge Parkway336-372-8877 (MAY - OCTOBER)
BackpackingBirdingCampingDay Use AreaFishingHikingHistoric & Cultural SitePhotographyPicnickingStar GazingVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
02 · Field Photos · roll CS-233369 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233369 · Doughton Park Campground12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Doughton Park Campground?
Online reservations for this facility, where offered, are made through Recreation.gov. Campsite Sniper has also detected 187 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper does not currently hold availability data for Doughton Park Campground, so there is nothing to date here. That is a gap in coverage — it does not mean the facility is full or closed. Check Recreation.gov for current dates.
How often do new openings appear at Doughton Park Campground?
Campsite Sniper detected 187 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which day of the week had the most detected openings at Doughton Park Campground?
Friday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected in the last 90 days: 83 of 187 (44.4%). Days reflect when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, not when the change occurred upstream.
Which sites at Doughton Park Campground fit a 35-foot RV?
25 of the 111 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 90 ft.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Doughton Park Campground?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 6 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 3-12.5 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
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