All proceeds from our campsites are used to fund our Open Doors financial assistance program because we believe that our programs and services should be available to everyone, even if they cannot afford to pay full price. Thank you in advance for helping us provide much needed scholarships to help people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body. Click here for more information.

The Wilkes Family YMCA Campground is located at the end of Rivers Edge Park, convenient to both the Blue Lot and the Merlefest Music Festival. We have 150 camping sites, including 30 campfire sites and 20 sites for pop-up vans or small campers (no hook-ups).

We allow one tent and one vehicle per site.

Each camp site includes hot showers, regular shuttles to the Wilkes Community College campus and an outdoor restroom/picnic complex. We are a family oriented campground. No drugs, no alcohol and no animals are permitted. There will be a night security guard on duty from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m., and the Wilkesboro NC Police Department will make daily rounds. Campfires are allowed only in designated areas. Please note that you may not be allowed to have a campfire if a burning ban is in effect during the Merlefest festival weekend.

The Merlefest festival site is easily accessible from the campground by bicycle and can be walked in less than fifteen minutes. Shuttle buses run throughout the day and evening from the Blue Lot to the main Merlefest entrance.

As a YMCA MerleFest Camper, you will be allowed to use the entire facility during regular operating hours: Thursday and Friday 5:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m., Saturday 7:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. (Only Showers will be available on Sunday from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) The facility includes: hot showers, fitness center, two indoor heated swimming pools, gymnasium, indoor track, two racquetball courts, steam room, whirlpool and sauna.

For information call the YMCA office at (336) 838-3991 and ask to speak with Andrea Vestal or to send her an e-mail message.

The following documents are available for viewing (Adobe PDF format)