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Pink Beds Picnic Shelter
FSU.S. Forest Service — Pisgah Forest · North Carolina · National Forests in North Carolina
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Location | Pisgah Forest · North Carolina · National Forests in North Carolina · 35.35361, -82.77778 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group picnic area |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 7:00 AM · Out 9:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 828 877-3265 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-19.
From the official listing
Overview The Pink Beds Picnic Shelter is nestled within Pisgah National Forest along the scenic US 276 corridor. It sits adjacent to the historic Cradle of Forestry in America and is set within a lush woodland valley renowned for rhododendron, mountain laurel, azalea blooms, and rare high-altitude bogs—giving the area its iconic name.
Recreation As part of the Pisgah National Forest, the Pink Beds area offers excellent opportunities. Visitors can pair a visit to the shelter with exploring the gentle, family-friendly Pink Beds Loop Trail—a scenic 5-mile hike through diverse habitats with boardwalks over boggy wetlands, creek crossings, and opportunities for wildlife viewing. The surrounding area is ideal for other types of recreation including fishing, horseback riding, and swimming. In addition, visitors are just steps away from the Cradle of Forestry in America, a historic site celebrating the birthplace of modern forest conservation. The Cradle of Forestry offers an indoor museum, paved hiking trails, outdoor exhibits, theater, cafe, and a gift shop.
Facilities The area has a flush toilet restroom, 21 picnic tables, grills, an old Civilian Conservation Corps gazebo, and this large shelter. The parking area is a paved lot utilized for both Pink Beds Picnic Area and Pink Beds Loop Trailhead.
Natural Features Named for the rhododendron, mountain laurel and azalea that bloom in spring and summer, the Pink Beds Picnic Shelter is renowned for its scenic forest setting and small stream nearby. At an elevation of 3,280 feet, it is appealing to visitors for its relatively flat valley which sustains some very large pine trees and rare mountain bogs. Nearby Attractions The area is next door to the Cradle of Forestry in America Historic Site, and four miles from both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sliding Rock Recreation Area. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (828) 866-3437.
Directions, from the listing
From Pisgah Ranger Station/ Visitor Center parking lot, turn right onto US 276. Drive north approximately 10 miles to Pink Beds Picnic Area. The facility is located along Hwy 276 (Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway) 4 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and 11 miles from the intersection of Hwy 280 and US 64 in Pisgah Forest, NC.
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · PISGAH FOREST North CarolinaNPSNational Park ServiceMount Pisgah Campground
4 mi straight-line · Canton North CarolinaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCove Creek Lower Group Camp
4 mi straight-line · PISGAH FOREST North CarolinaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCove Creek Upper Group Camp
4 mi straight-line · PISGAH FOREST North CarolinaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWhite Pine South Group Camp
5 mi straight-line · PISGAH FOREST North Carolina
Trip Card — Pink Beds Picnic Shelter
Pisgah Forest · North Carolina · National Forests in North Carolina
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Pisgah Forest · North Carolina · National Forests in North Carolina |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234742 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.