Linville Gorge and Falls, North Carolina
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Nicknamed “the Grand Canyon of the East,” Linville Gorge in North Carolina is at the center of a 12,000-acre wilderness area home to rugged stone cliffs, beautiful rivers and streams, and picturesque waterfalls. It’s a true outdoor lover’s paradise and promises all manner of outdoor fun to anyone who visits.
And since it’s a stop along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, it only makes sense that Linville Gorge and Falls is the perfect destination for a family vacation via rented RV. With the right RV rental, you can cruise the parkway and see the famous Blue Ridge Mountains for yourself, then dive into the Linville Gorge for whatever outdoor activities are calling your name. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your next trip to Linville Gorge and Falls via your rented RV.
With so much gorgeous land throughout the Linville Gorge area, hiking is one of the biggest draws to the area. Few natural destinations offer the sheer amount of hiking options, and hikers of all experience levels are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains above, the Linville River below, and sprawling forests all around. In fact, there are 39 miles of hiking trails to explore and find the experience you’re looking for, whether you want a rough and rugged hike up the cliffs or a peaceful stroll through the old-growth woods.
The Linville Gorge Trail is the main hiking hub in the area, with the rest of the hiking trail system in the area all connecting to this main trail at some point or another. And while you’re heading out in an RV, hiking in Linville Gorge offers some great opportunities for backpacking. Get out of the RV for a night, take a hike deep into the untouched wilderness, and camp outside under the stars for an unforgettable excursion on your trip. Learn more about hiking Linville Gorge here.
Linville Gorge is one of the world’s premier rock climbing destinations, and it’s no wonder why. The river runs 12 miles through the mountains to create Linville Gorge, which means there’s an endless supply of sheer cliffs and stony bluffs to scale that would delight and challenge even the most experienced of climbers. Prefer something a little simpler, but still thrilling? Rappelling is another favorite pastime at Linville Gorge—set up atop a cliff and rappel back for a rush you’ll never forget and a bird’s eye view of the river below.
The east side of the gorge is home to two particularly popular climbing destinations. Shortoff Mountain and Table Rock are worth making the trip all on their own, offering a challenging but unbeatable climbing experience. Learn more about these and other climbing options on the Blue Ridge Mountains travel website.
This destination is a two-for-one (at least!) because of the famous Linville Falls. While Linville Gorge is reason enough to make the trip, the winding mountain course of the Linville River has resulted in one of the most awe-inspiring waterfalls anywhere in the country. Located in Burke County along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls is easily the most photographed waterfall anywhere in North Carolina, offering five viewing areas each with their own unique perspective on the falls.
The falls themselves are a 90-foot drop from the stony cliffs above. The visitor center is your gateway to the falls, offering guide maps, snacks, and other essentials for your trek out. Then, along two different trails, you can make your way to each of the five viewing areas. To see all five, you’ll need to plan to hike for four hours, with some portions of the trails a bit strenuous. It’s well worth it, though, when you finally get a chance to see the falls in all their majesty. Learn more here.
The massive, wild area surrounding Linville Gorge is packed with animal species that thrive in the old-growth forests and the rivers and streams running through them. For anglers and hunters, that makes Linville Gorge a can’t miss destination that offers a variety of experiences depending on the season. If you plan to hunt or fish, be sure to visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website to grab a license and read up on rules and regulations, including seasons.
So, what can you expect to snag on your trip? Largemouth and smallmouth bass, plus river trout, are the most popular sport fish on the Linville River. Flyfishing is a favorite way to enjoy the beautiful nature and calm river, and promises plenty of chances to snag trout and bass. Hunters typically hunt deer, bear, turkey, and ruffled grouse. Whatever your game of choice, you can’t beat the hunting in this beautiful area managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Make sure to check on the permits you’ll need to acquire to get out there legally and safely.
Linville Gorge and Falls might be the crown jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, but there’s a lot more to see in the area. The Blue Ridge Parkway starts in Virginia and ends in Cherokee, North Carolina—and it’s the perfect way to see the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains from behind the wheel of your rented RV. Take a day drive out to see the mountains, or make your Linville Gorge one stop on a broader Blue Ridge Parkway vacation—with the Parkway ending in Cherokee at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s a great way to knock more than one natural destination off your list.
Linville Gorge is also fairly close to the city of Asheville, North Carolina, only about a 60-mile drive down the Parkway. Asheville is celebrated for its vibrant craft beer culture, incredible restaurants, and old-fashioned Southern hospitality. Explore everything Asheville has to offer and plan your trip to the Asheville tourism website.
Linville Gorge and Falls is part of the 12,000-acre Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, which is managed by the USDA Forest Service. As such, dispersed camping (known as boondocking in the RV community) is allowed anywhere off the main road or developed area. You won’t get RV hookups, but you’ll always know you’re free to explore Linville Gorge and you’ll have a place to park and camp for the evening.
There’s a public campground at the site of Linville Falls which offers, among other tent sites, a full 20 RV sites complete with electric and water hookup. It’s the smallest campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway—so reservations fill up quickly. If you want to stay close to the falls, make sure to check out recreation.gov and reserve early.
Very close to the Biltmore, Asheville Bear Creek RV Park in Asheville, North Carolina is a perfect home base for any trip to the Blue Mountains, including Linville Gorge and Falls. Enjoy large, level, paved RV sites with full hookups and free WiFi throughout the park. The mountain views here are well worth it—as is the on-site concierge.
Boasting an enviable 9/10/10 rating from the Good Sam Club, Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground in Swannanoa, North Carolina offers all the modern amenities you’d expect from an RV resort, including full hookups and WiFi, all in a quaint mountain setting that puts you close to the heart of the Adirondacks—in style.
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, Bear Den Family Campground is a great spot for large, full-hookup RV campsites. One of the main draws to this resort, however, has to be the location; it’s just a 10-minute drive from Linville Falls Winery, Linville Falls itself, and the beautiful Biltmore House just 90 minutes south.
There are a few great dining options right near Linville Falls in the unincorporated community surrounding the park. Including BBQ places, sports bars, and other fantastic southern cuisine spots, including the Famous Louise’s Rock House Restaurant.
Just down the Parkway, the city of Asheville is famous for its culinary scene. The Lobster Trap is the city’s top seafood restaurant. Burial Beer Company is one of the city’s favorite breweries. For something sweet, don’t miss French Broad Chocolate Lounge.
For a full list of the incredible restaurants awaiting you in Asheville, check out this page on the city’s tourism website celebrating Asheville’s famous “Foodtopians.”