High Knob Campground
Closed for the season. Reopens the last Saturday in May (May 30, 2026). Operating season runs late May through late September. First-come, first-served only with on-site payment required.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 11 at 7:42PM EDT until August 11 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
At 741 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Lebanon to 10 miles northwest of Walnut Hill to 6 miles west of Gate City to near Jonesville to near Field, moving southeast at 35 mph. HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. Locations impacted include... Lebanon, Gate City, Jonesville, Big Stone Gap, Pennington Gap, Weber City, Cleveland Va, Appalachia, St. Paul, and Nickelsville.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued August 11 at 7:06PM EDT until August 12 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 571 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN TENNESSEE THIS WATCH INCLUDES 14 COUNTIES IN EAST TENNESSEE CARTER CLAIBORNE COCKE GRAINGER GREENE HAMBLEN HANCOCK HAWKINS JEFFERSON JOHNSON SEVIER SULLIVAN UNICOI WASHINGTON IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 7 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA CITY OF BRISTOL CITY OF NORTON LEE RUSSELL SCOTT WASHINGTON WISE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ABINGDON, ALPHA, APPALACHIA, ARTHUR, BEAN STATION, BENHAMS, BIG STONE GAP, BRISTOL TN, BRISTOL VA, BYBEE, CASTLEWOOD, CHESTNUT HILL, CLAIRFIELD, COEBURN, DANDRIDGE, DOEVILLE, DYE, ELIZABETHTON, ELKMONT, ERWIN, EVANSTON, GREENEVILLE, HAMPTON, HANSONVILLE, HARRISBURG, HARROGATE-SHAWANEE, HARTFORD, HILTONS, HONAKER, HOWARD QUARTER, JEFFERSON CITY, JOHNSON CITY, KINGSPORT, KODAK, KYLES FORD, LAUREL BLOOMERY, LEBANON, LIMESTONE COVE, LONE MOUNTAIN, MCMAHAN, MOORESBURG, MORRISTOWN, MOUNTAIN CITY, NEVA, NEWPORT, NORTON, PARDEE, PIGEON FORGE, ROSE HILL, ROSEDALE, RUSSELLVILLE, SANDLICK, SEVIERVILLE, SEYMOUR, SHADY VALLEY, SNEEDVILLE, SOUTH HOLSTON DAM, SPRINGDALE, STRAWBERRY PLAINS, TRADE, TREADWAY, UNICOI, WHITE PINE, AND WISE.
About
High Knob Recreation Area was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s and remains one of Virginia's most historic forest campgrounds. Located in the Clinch Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, the campground sits at a higher elevation that provides noticeably cooler temperatures during the summer months. The setting includes a scenic mountain lake with both camping and day-use picnic areas. The campground offers standard nonelectric sites at $10 per night and group sites at $20 per night, with Interagency Senior/Access Pass holders receiving a 50% discount on single sites. Facilities include flush toilets, hot showers with bathhouses, and potable water available seasonally. Picnic tables are provided at each site. The maximum vehicle length is 16 feet including any trailer, making this campground best suited for tent camping and smaller camping setups. Quiet hours are enforced from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Bear safety food storage and disposal requirements are in effect. Horse and pack animals are not permitted in the campground.
Directions
From Kingsport, TN: Follow US 23 north to the first Norton, VA exit. Take this exit and make a right onto State Route 619. Travel 3.8 miles to the intersection with Forest Service Road 238 East. Turn left onto FS Road 238 East and travel 1.6 miles to campground entrance. From Abingdon, VA: Follow US 58 West/US 19 North to Hansonville, VA. Turn left onto US Route 58 Alternate West and drive to Norton. At Norton, turn south onto State Route 619. Travel 3.8 miles to the intersection with Forest Service Road 238 East. Turn left onto FS Road 238 East and travel 1.6 miles to campground entrance.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $10 - $20 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 16ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (276) 679-8370 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| USFS High Knob Recreation Area |
Availability
Photos
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