Camping
Available Camping Facilities
Backcountry Backpack Camping and Group Camping
Camping is allowed with a permit at 13 backpack camping sites along the trail system, including the Hi-Balsam Shelter.
All 13 campsites are hike-in backcountry, primitive sites. There is no car camping. There are no facilities. The terrain is rugged and can be challenging. Trailheads are near 3,800 feet in elevation and Calloway Peak reaches 5,946 feet.
Please do not disturb nearby campers. Take care to protect the terrain and plant and animal life.
Reservations Required for All 13 Campsites
All campsites must be reserved in advance, which can be made as late as the same day. We recommend making your reservation prior to your park visit, as cellular service is not reliable at the park. A fee is charged for all campsites, and campers must have a reservation code to be able to camp. Camping fees are listed near the bottom of this page.
Register On-Site for a Camping Permit
Upon your arrival, please fill out a camping registration permit at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone For parking lot. You must register for a permit on-site, in addition to making your reservation online.
Camp in Designated Areas Only
Camping is permitted in the designated areas only, which are identified by signs at the campsites and with a camping icon on the trail map. There is no dispersed camping (camping outside a designated site) on the mountain. All camping regulations apply to hammock campers.
Parking and Trailheads
Profile Trailhead
4198 N.C. 105, Banner Elk, NC 28604
GPS: 36.119756, -81.835001
Boone Fork Parking Area (managed by the National Park Service)
north of mile marker 300 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
GPS: 36.120076, -81.781358
Campsite Details
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.2-mile hike, elevation gain of 368 feet, average hiking time of 45 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
6.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 15 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. A stream is located at the campsite.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.3-mile hike, elevation gain of 487 feet, average hiking time of 50 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
6.6-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 800 feet off of the trail (follow marked Spur Trail uphill). There are no tent platforms. A stream is located along the trail to the campsite.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 588 feet, average hiking time of 1 hour
From Profile Trailhead:
6.8-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 50 feet off of the trail. There is an 8'x8' tent platform. A stream is located at the trail, right before the campsite. The stream can get too deep to cross safely after heavy rains; campers must use their own judgement and common sense.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.6-mile hike, elevation gain of 595 feet, average hiking time of 1 hour
From Profile Trailhead:
7-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 25 feet off of the trail. There is one tent platform. A small stream is located off the back of the site — follow the blue markers. The stream across the Nuwati Trail before Storyteller Rock can get too deep to cross safely after heavy rains; campers must use their own judgment and common sense.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
2-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,040 feet, average hiking time of 1.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
5.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 30 feet off of the trail. There are three wooden tent platforms; each one measures 8 feet by 8 feet. There is an intermittent stream nearby — follow the blue markers.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A minimum of seven campers is required to use the site, and a maximum of 12 campers is permitted. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
2.7-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,594 feet, average hiking time of 2.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
4.8-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 800 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. There is no water source.
There are no cables to hang food.
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.3-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,804 feet, average hiking time of 3 hours and 15 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
4.2-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site consists of a three-sided wooden shelter with a metal roof. It is located 100 feet off of the trail. There is no water source.
There are no cables to hang food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.4-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,837 feet, average hiking time of 3 hours and 15 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
4.1-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 10 feet off of the trail. There is an 8'x8' wooden tent platform. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.9-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,041 feet, average hiking time of 3.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
3.7-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,822 feet, average hiking time of 3.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 75 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
4.1-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,041 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
3.7-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,650 feet, average hiking time of 3.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 100 feet off of the trail. There are four wooden tent platforms, each measuring 8'x8'. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A minimum of seven campers is required to use this site, and a maximum of 12 campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
4.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,144 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours and 15 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
4.1-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,012 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 10 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A minimum of seven campers is required to use this site, and a maximum of 12 campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
4.8-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,278 feet, average hiking time of 5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
4.4-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,280 feet, average hiking time of 4.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 30 feet off of the trail. There is one tent platform. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
5.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,041 feet, average hiking time of 5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
2.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 944 feet, average hiking time of 2 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 25 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. A natural spring is located 0.75 miles above the campsite on the trail. Boil or filter all water.
Cables to hang food are provided across the trail from the campsite.
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.