Grandfather Campground: Your Mountain Base for High Country Adventures

Grandfather Campground Introduce

For North Carolina residents who yearn for the crisp mountain air, stunning vistas, and endless outdoor adventures, Grandfather Campground in Banner Elk offers an inviting and convenient basecamp. Situated in the heart of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, this campground provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the High Country, whether you're seeking a summer escape, a vibrant autumn leaf-peeping experience, or a cozy winter ski trip.

Grandfather Campground is more than just a place to park your RV or pitch a tent; it’s a gateway to some of North Carolina's most iconic attractions, including the legendary Grandfather Mountain itself. While some aspects, like the cleanliness of certain facilities, might vary based on individual experiences, the overall sentiment points to a friendly, family-friendly environment with reasonable rates. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Grandfather Campground, highlighting its prime location, diverse accommodations, and the many features that make it a suitable choice for locals looking to explore our state's beautiful mountain region.

Location and Accessibility

Grandfather Campground is ideally located at 125 Profile View Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA. This puts it in a sweet spot within the High Country, offering excellent accessibility to a wide array of popular destinations. It's nestled on the slope of Grandfather Mountain, bordering the Watauga River, at an elevation of approximately 3,200 feet.

The campground's strategic position means you are just minutes away from major attractions. Grandfather Mountain State Park and the private Grandfather Mountain attraction (home to the Mile High Swinging Bridge and wildlife habitats) are incredibly close, often visible from the campground itself. The charming towns of Banner Elk, Boone, and Blowing Rock, known for their unique shops, diverse dining, and cultural events, are all within a short, scenic drive. This accessibility makes it a convenient hub for exploring the entire region without excessive travel time. The campground is also open year-round, which is a significant advantage for those looking to experience the mountains during the ski season, with Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain resorts nearby.

Services Offered

Grandfather Campground offers a variety of services to accommodate different camping styles, from RVs to tents, and even cabins, aiming to provide a comfortable stay for all visitors.

RV Sites with Full Hookups: The campground features numerous RV sites equipped with 30 and 50 amp electric service, water hookups, and sewer connections, offering maximum convenience for RV travelers.
Tent Sites: A selection of tent sites is available, ranging from more secluded, wooded spots near the creek to more open areas. Campers should pay close attention to site descriptions when booking to match their privacy preferences.
Cabin Rentals: For those seeking a bit more comfort or a glamping experience, Grandfather Campground offers several types of cabin rentals, including 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom options, some with full baths and kitchens, and amenities like internet-ready TVs, outdoor fire pits, and grills.
Bathhouses: The campground provides bathhouses with shower facilities. While cleanliness experiences can vary based on individual reviews, they are available for camper use.
Laundry Room: A laundromat is on-site, providing a convenient option for campers to refresh their clothes during longer stays.
Camp Store: A campground store is available, offering essentials like firewood bundles ($5, a good price according to reviews) and ice ($4), along with other camping supplies.
Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite, whether RV or tent, is generally equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring, perfect for outdoor cooking and enjoying campfires.
Wi-Fi/Internet Access: Wireless internet access is typically available throughout the campground, allowing campers to stay connected.
Family-Friendly Amenities: The campground generally offers family-friendly amenities, including a playground and areas for outdoor games like cornhole.

Features / Highlights

Grandfather Campground's distinct features and prime location truly make it stand out as a desirable mountain camping destination.

Proximity to Grandfather Mountain: This is arguably the biggest highlight. Campers enjoy incredible views of Grandfather Mountain from various points within the campground and have incredibly easy access to both the private attraction (Mile High Swinging Bridge, wildlife habitats) and Grandfather Mountain State Park (extensive hiking trails).
Year-Round Operation: Being open all year allows visitors to experience the High Country in every season – from summer hiking and fishing to vibrant fall foliage and winter skiing and snowboarding. This flexibility is a major plus for locals.
Diverse Site Options: The variety of sites, from full-hookup RV spots to primitive tent sites and comfortable cabins, caters to a wide range of preferences and camping styles. Specific tent sites (like T65-67 and T76-78) are noted for being more private and closer to the creek, offering a more immersive "in the woods" feel.
Creek Access: Some tent sites and areas within the campground are near a creek, providing the soothing sound of flowing water and opportunities for fly fishing (with a valid license). A stocked trout pond is also reportedly next door.
Stunning Mountain Views: The elevated location provides campers with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Friendly Staff: Reviews frequently commend the helpful and friendly staff at the office, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
Pet-Friendly (Campground Only): While pets are not allowed in cabins, the campground itself is generally pet-friendly, allowing furry family members to join the adventure (on leash).
Convenient Local Access: Beyond Grandfather Mountain, the campground is a fantastic base for exploring the area's many attractions, including wineries (one is practically next door), charming downtown areas, unique shops, and various outdoor recreational opportunities.

Contact Information

For reservations, current rates, and specific information regarding site availability and amenities, it's best to contact Grandfather Campground directly.

Address: 125 Profile View Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA

Phone: (800) 788-2582 (Toll-Free)

Mobile Phone: +1 800-788-2582 (This appears to be the same number for direct calls.)

Their local phone number has also been listed as (828) 355-4535. It is always recommended to check their official website for the most up-to-date information on operating hours, reservation policies, and any seasonal changes.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Grandfather Campground presents an outstanding option for North Carolina residents looking for a quintessential mountain camping experience. Its strategic location in Banner Elk provides unparalleled access to Grandfather Mountain, the charming towns of Boone and Blowing Rock, and a wealth of outdoor activities, all within a reasonable drive for many in the state.

For local families, outdoor enthusiasts, or simply those seeking a serene escape, the campground offers a diverse range of accommodations – from fully-equipped RV sites to secluded tent areas and cozy cabins – ensuring there’s a fit for every preference. The ability to visit year-round, experiencing the beauty of each season, from summer hikes and fishing to winter skiing, adds immense value. While some visitors have noted areas for improvement regarding facility cleanliness, the overall positive feedback on the friendly staff, reasonable pricing, and the sheer beauty of the surroundings highlight its strong appeal. It’s a place where you can feel truly immersed in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, providing a perfect local home base for exploring the high country's natural wonders and vibrant communities. Grandfather Campground is more than just a place to stay; it's an opportunity to create lasting memories in one of North Carolina's most beloved regions.

Grandfather Campground Photos

Grandfather Campground Location

Grandfather Campground

North Carolina Watauga County Banner Elk Profile View Road

125 Profile View Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA

Grandfather Campground Reviews

Just returned from 3 night say in site T66. My opinion Tent sites 65-67 are great for being away from the other sites, and feeling like your more in the woods, with close proximity to the creek. You're still sharing this area with the other 2 sites, with not much separating the sites, but roomy enough to have some privacy. I will say T67 does have option of setting up tent beside the creek, with a picnic table and fire pit separate from the main site, so this is probably the best site compared to the other 2. Pay close attention to the site descriptions on the website - some sites, (T69-75), seemed really close together, maybe better for car camping, but no privacy, and really small. The staff at the office were very helpful and friendly. Overall for the price, I would stay again. I needed a home base for fly fishing trips, and would stay here again, but would be picky about sites, (T65-67 & T76-78) would be probably be the only ones I would pick. Upper bathroom was clean in my opinion, easy walk to the site I was at, but uphill going back. I also found the grounds clean and family friendly. I would recommend for the price. Oh, and they sell wood bundles for $5, (good price) and ice for $4.
Jun 22, 2025 · Jay J
Things I liked about this campground were the proximity to Grandfather Mountain SP and the view of the mountain as I walked through the campground. Things I did not like were the lack of proper cleanliness (especially in the bathrooms). Our campsite had food left behind on the ground. Picking up papers on the floor in the bathrooms is not enough. The sinks need wiping down and the shower stalls definitely need some love. The tiles appeared to have mold. If you will be using the bathroom in your camper then this won’t be an issue. A NO Smoking sign should be placed in the bathrooms. There was a gentleman who constantly smoked in there (by the B sites). The floor in the laundry room was just as dirty when I left, as when I got there. The electric pedestal placement was super awkward on our site (B28). There is no gate at the entrance/exit. So, anyone can come in and out, making it feel not so secure. A good chunk of the sites are pretty close together (this may or may not bother some).
Jun 01, 2025 · D MLMC
Great location close to alot of stuff. We camped from a Thursday-Monday. But with 3 people in one small camper we typically use the bathhouses for showers etc. The bathhouses were dirty when we arrived and were never cleaned during our whole stay. Trash cans in bathhouses overflowing, dirty showers, spiders, smelled like urine and even a random stick on the men’s urinal that stayed there the whole entire stay. Nice campground but won’t be back to do how dirty the bathhouses were… we camped by the river and even went up the hill to the other side of the campground and the bathhouses were the same way.
Jun 11, 2025 · Brandon Perry
Great location. Grounds are ok. Definitely not manicured by any means. My site had no yard. Literally nowhere to sit up a tent and hangout. Fortunately there was a vacant tent site across from us that we rented to hang out in, it just cost us more $.The views of the surrounding mountains were great. Location was perfect for surrounding towns and hikes. It was very quiet most of the time. Except the evenings that a guy was flying through the campground on his UTV over and over. He appeared to live there. It sucked that we had to listen to that for an hour at a time.
Jun 14, 2025 · Chris Anderson
Great campground. Super location. Pretty level spot. They have done lots of work to recover from Hurricane Helene. Laundry facility was not clean. I did report that to the office.I would stay there again.
Jun 14, 2025 · Peggy Branch