Raven Cliff Recreation Area
Open seasonally from mid-April through late November, first-come, first-served. No potable water available. Raven Cliff Furnace Trail and Raven Cliff Trail are currently closed due to Hurricane Helene damage. A bridge on State Route 619 is being replaced; use alternate directions.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued August 17 at 2:35PM EDT until August 17 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 590 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 9 COUNTIES IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA CASWELL ROCKINGHAM STOKES SURRY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA ALLEGHANY NC ASHE WATAUGA WILKES YADKIN IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 18 COUNTIES IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA CITY OF DANVILLE CITY OF MARTINSVILLE HENRY PITTSYLVANIA IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA BLAND CARROLL CITY OF GALAX CITY OF RADFORD FLOYD GILES GRAYSON MONTGOMERY PATRICK PULASKI SMYTH TAZEWELL WYTHE IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA FRANKLIN IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA MERCER MONROE SUMMERS
About
Raven Cliff Recreation Area is a secluded primitive campground tucked into the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests near Ivanhoe, Virginia. The campground offers 20 first-come, first-served sites, each equipped with a gravel parking spur, picnic table, and fire grill. Some sites include pads suitable for tents or pop-up trailers, and select sites can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet. Cripple Creek flows through the recreation area, providing excellent opportunities for fishing, wading, and tubing. Large open fields adjacent to the day-use picnic shelter are ideal for sports and group gatherings. The area's signature attraction is the historic Raven Cliff Furnace, a 30-foot iron ore furnace built from local sandstone in 1810, accessible via the Raven Cliff Furnace Trail when open. This is a pack-it-light destination with no potable water, hookups, or showers. Portable toilets serve the campground, with a vault toilet near the day-use area. The campground operates from mid-April through late November and costs $5 per night per site. Bear country food storage rules apply.
Directions
From I-81 take Wytheville exit 70 or 72 onto US 11 (Main Street). Continue west onto US 21 south for approximately 7.1 miles to State Route 690 (Cripple Creek Rd) and turn left (east) for 3.7 miles. Stay straight on State Route 690 (Slate Springs Branch Rd) for 3.3 miles. Bear right on State Route 642 (Mule Hell Rd) and in 0.3 miles turn right (west) on State Route 619 (Gleaves Rd) for 1.2 miles. Turn left on Raven Cliff Lane and follow to campground.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $5 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 25ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| 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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