Camping in Linville Gorge

Hi there!

I am heading to Linville Gorge next weekend and was wondering if anyone had any advice on where to camp there? I will be arriving pretty late Thursday night/early Friday morning. I also read that I need to get a camping permit. Will this be a problem with a late night arrival? I've read about a few spots that are near trail heads and parking lots but was worried those would be super crowded since it is Labor Day.

Any advice is much appreciated!
Cristyn

while technically you need a permit, i ahve never gotten one. There are plenty of sites just past the bathrooms if you go to the table rock parking lot. Also there are a lot of sites at the entrance to hawksbill past the little six car parking lot. Or any of the pullouts along the road will work if you just want to crash when you get there.
Shouldnt have a problem if your heading there Thr/Fri night/morning

Where in Linvillle?

Reservations are first-come, first-serve beginning the first working day of each previous month. For example, reservations for wilderness camping permits for June are accepted starting the first working day of May. Permits are limited to 35 by reservation and 15 by walk-in.
Rentals & Guides: Several outfitter guides have permits for the Gorge for rock climbing and other activities. Contact the District Office for more information.
Fees Free
Permit Info: A permit is required for camping on weekends( Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and holidays from May 1 through October 31. Permits are issued form the District Rangers Office by mail or in person. Day use permits are not required. Permitted users are limited to 50/night. The district office can permit 35 users by reservation or walk-in. The Linville Gorge Info. Cabin can permit 15 users for walk-ins only. For permits contact Grandfather Ranger District, 109 EastLawing Drive, Nebo, NC 2876, phone 828-652-2144.

The above info is from the Grandfather Mt Ranger district website. Legal camping can be had outside the Wilderness area by parking ACROSS from spence ridge trailhead and walking back in to the woods opposite the wilderness area boundary. To climb at Table Rock you then have the short drive to TR parking area.

edit:watch for dead trees

Thanks for all the advice! We are planning on climbing at Table Rock and the Ampitheater and possibly Shortoff Mountain.

Shortoff will be very hot. Much lower elevation than the rest of the gorge. Check out Ship Rock instead.

If you're arriving Thursday night, you should be OK to camp in the sites near the parking lot (since it'll be a weekday).

I was in the amphitheater yesterday, neglected to bring anything to cut back some of the growth on the spur trail. I wish I had brought something. It's still clear enough to follow but there's definitely been some growth!

It did get a bit warm starting around 2:00 PM, so I'd recommend hiking in earlier to beat the heat (and crowds on a weekend!).

Do watch for critters, saw two rattlers yesterday... including one laying end to end across the trail. They love the sunny spots! Also saw a bear on the drive out... a first for me in Linville.