Yellow Gap Road Camping - Pisgah National Forest
Yellow Gap Road is the epitome of what we look for when camping. The campsites are large and spread out so you feel completely engulfed in nature, there's rushing water nearby, the foliage is beautiful (especially in the fall), and it's free!
Forest Service Road 1206, also known as Yellow Gap Road, is a long stretch of fire road through the Pisgah National Forest. It runs between the North Mills River Recreation Area and the Davidson River Recreation Area, two popular recreation destinations in North Carolina.
The solitude and close proximity to endless adventure are two huge factors in why we love these campsites. We will 100% return!
Quick Glance
Price: Free!
Type: Dispersed
Accessibility: Moderate
Campsites: 14
Camping Types: Tent, Van, Small RVs, and Trailers
Amenities: Fire Ring, Grill, Lantern Holder, Picnic Table (at select sites)
Reservations: First-Come, First-Serve
Popularity: Moderate-High
Best Time to Go: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Getting There
Latitude/Longitude: 35.38625, -82.68003
From Brevard, take US-276 N for about 12 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 1206/Yellow Gap Road. You will pass numerous scenic points, including Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, and the Cardle of the Forestry in America.
From I-26W, take exit 44 for US-25 N toward US-25 BUS S/Fletcher/Mtn Home. In 0.5 miles, turn left onto Butler Bridge Rd. After 2.6 miles, turn left onto NC-280 W/Boylston Hwy and drive for 1 mile. Turn right onto North Mills River Road. After 5 miles it will become National Forest Road/Yellow Gap Road.
Campsites are dispersed throughout.
Map of all roadside camping in Pisgah Ranger District of the National Forest.
Pros:
Solitude. Many of the sites are spread out, so you get to enjoy being submerged in nature without any distractions or close neighbors.
Sites are large with plenty of tree cover, but also have openings for stargazing at night.
Bradley Creek follows Yellow Gap Road to the South for the majority of its length. Camping next to the creek grants easy access to water for cooking and drinking (after being treated of course).
It's free! Free boon-docking sites are our favorite to camp in. This is one of the many reasons we love our National Forests!
Proximity to recreation. Nearby access to hiking and mountain biking trails are always a plus. There are also plenty of places to fish or swim in creeks or even waterfalls.
It's beautiful. Every time we've visited has been a breathtaking experience.
Cons:
There are no restrooms, but there is a lot of dirt if you know what I mean. To us, we don't expect to have the luxury of a restroom when we head off the grid. However, we understand that this is a negative factor for a lot of people. Make sure to follow the proper potty protocol and stay at least 200 feet from water sources.
Parking varies with each site. Some have ample parking close to the site amenities, while others require you to park just off the road and walk a short 50-100 feet to the designated site. If you are tent camping this is not a con at all. But for my van and camper people, you'll most likely be sleeping near the road.
The road is windy and thin in some areas, so we wouldn't suggest large RVs or Trailers try to camp on Yellow Gap Road.
Our Experience
The first time we camped on Yellow Gap road was during our maiden voyage of BIKE PACKING. Yep, we slapped about 40 pounds of gear to our mountain bikes and road around 100 miles up and down the Blue Ridge Mountains.
NOTE: Down is much more fun!
We were supposed to complete another 3 miles to get to our planned camping area, all uphill, but were enticed by a huge campsite right on a rushing creek. Thus our love for Yellow Gap roadside camping began.
Campground Notables
The road is mostly gravel and winds for roughly 15 miles. It can be a little rough if you do not have a four-wheel-drive or high clearance vehicle. We've driven a rear-wheel-drive Toyota Tundra and an all-wheel-drive Subaru Crosstrek. Both handled the road just fine.
Be careful and take your time in a smaller car, like a Camry, but you should make it.
Yellow Gap Road is accessible year-round, weather permitting. All campsites have a 14-day stay limit. Click here to check for updates and road closures.
On summer weekends and holidays the sites may fill up by early afternoon.
Nearby Recreation
Pisgah National Forest has so much to offer, no matter what your ideal adventure is! Yellow Gap Road camping places your right in the middle of it all! Hike one of many trails to crazy overlooks, swim under waterfalls, climb rock faces, fish in streams, or grab your bike for high-quality singletrack.
Over 500,000-acres of pure beauty and adventure are waiting just around the corner. Some trailheads are even accessed right off Yellow Gap Road. Check out the Pilot Cove-Slate Rock, Pilot Cove Loop, and Pilot Rock trails. They're especially beautiful in the fall!
Find Out More
For all things recreation in Pisgah National Forest, check out the USDA Forest Service website here.
For updates and road closures near Yellow Gap Road camping click here.
Planning for a hike or ride in Pisgah National Forest, check out our top 10 easy snacks to fuel your time on the trail!
