Julian Price Memorial Park Campground

Why camp here

If you want a basecamp with immediate access to water, woods, and classic Parkway scenery, this is it. Set beside 47-acre Price Lake at Milepost 297, Julian Price is the Parkway’s big, activity-rich campground. Canoe or kayak on the lake, wander shady loops right from camp, and be minutes from Grandfather Mountain and the Linn Cove Viaduct.

The scene

Expect rolling Appalachian forest, a serene lake, and a sprawling campground layout with a mix of tent and RV loops. Some sites are tucked in the trees; others near the shoreline. It’s popular with families and groups, and close to Boone and Blowing Rock if you need a town run.

Campsites & facilities

Sites come with a picnic table, grill, lantern pole, and fire ring. There’s potable water and comfort stations with flush toilets throughout, plus an RV dump station. Showers are normally part of the setup in one loop, but the shower house is closed for the 2025 season. Ranger-led programs run in peak season, and the broader park has a huge picnic area and amphitheater.

Trails and lake time

You can step onto the 2.7-mile Price Lake Loop for easy shoreline views, or tackle the 5-mile Boone Fork Trail for cascades and Hebron Rocks. Paddling and fishing are the headliners on Price Lake, and canoe/kayak rentals are typically available nearby in season. Wildlife is what you’d expect around a mountain lake—songbirds, waterfowl, deer, and the occasional black bear—so store food properly.

Reservations and how to snag a site

This is one of the Parkway’s busiest campgrounds. In 2025, all sites are reservation-only (no first-come, first-served), so book ahead—especially for coveted lakeside spots in Loop A and popular weekend dates.

What people love—and don’t

The setting and convenience are the big wins: lakeside camping, trails from camp, and a short hop to marquee Parkway sights. On the flip side, heavy use means restrooms and grounds aren’t always pristine, and weekend crowds can bring smoke and noise. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in most loops.

Best time to visit

• Spring weekdays: Quieter trails, cool nights, blooming wildflowers.
• Summer: Peak paddling season—arrive early Friday or stick to midweek to avoid the crush.
• Fall: Spectacular foliage and crisp nights; book well in advance. Morning and late-afternoon light are best for lake photos.

Quick history note

The land was assembled by businessman Julian Price as a company retreat. After his death in 1946, his family donated it, creating one of the Parkway’s largest recreation areas alongside neighboring Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.