Closed for the entire 2026 season due to replacement of aging infrastructure. No camping, parking, or day-use facilities are available. Alternative parking is available at Fox Creek Horse Campground and Mount Rogers Trailhead for trail access.
Flood Watch issued August 11 at 1:34AM EDT until August 13 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwest North Carolina, including the following areas, Alleghany NC, Ashe and Watauga, Virginia, including the following areas, Alleghany VA, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Tazewell and Wythe, and southeast West Virginia, including the following areas, Eastern Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers and Western Greenbrier. * WHEN...Through Thursday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Possible repeated rounds of thunderstorms in an extremely moist airmass will lead to flash flooding concerns over the next several days. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
From Recreation.gov
Grindstone Campground and its parking area will be closed for the 2026 Season. This closure is due to the replacement of aging infrastructure at Grindstone. Alternative parking * Across from Fox Creek Horse Campground 36.696628, -81.5326411 * At the Mount Rogers Trailhead 36.689230, -81.532605 Please visit [https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/gwj/recreation/camping-cabins/][1] for information and updates on camping in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. [1]: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/gwj/recreation/camping-cabins/
About
Located within the 200,000-acre Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Grindstone Campground offers a cool retreat from summer heat at 3,800 feet elevation. The campground is nestled in Fairwood Valley surrounded by mixed hardwoods, hemlock, and rhododendrons, with open pastures and wooded hillsides creating diverse habitat for excellent birding. The area provides outstanding recreation including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hunting. The Mount Rogers Trail departs directly from the campground, covering 7.5 miles to the summit of Virginia's highest peak. The gentle Whispering Waters Nature Trail offers a 0.6-mile interpretive loop. Multiple streams pass near the campground with plentiful trout fishing opportunities. Family amenities include a creek water play area, amphitheater for ranger programs, playground, and volleyball courts. Each campsite features a parking spur, lantern post, fire grill with cooking grate, and picnic table. The Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, traversing 50+ miles of forestland and rural countryside, is accessible nearby.
Directions
From Marion, Virginia, take exit 45 to Highway 16 south. Continue for 17 miles, then turn right onto Highway 603. After 6 miles, turn left into the Grindstone Campground entrance. Alternative from I-81 northbound: Take exit 35 at Chilhowie, turn right onto County Road 762 and travel approximately 10 miles (becomes CR 600 at the blinking yellow light), then turn left onto State Route 603 and continue 5 miles to the entrance on the right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $24 - $36 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 110ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 110ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| sm.fs.mrnra@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (276) 783-5196 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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