Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping
Open year-round. Backcountry permit required via Recreation.gov, must be printed and carried. Maximum 3 consecutive nights per permit. Check-in 3 PM, check-out 12 noon.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 12 at 5:44PM EDT until June 12 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
SVRRNK The National Weather Service in BLACKSBURG has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southern Carroll County in southwestern Virginia... The City of Galax in southwestern Virginia... Southwestern Patrick County in southwestern Virginia... * Until 645 PM EDT. * At 544 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Galax, moving east at 15 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include... Galax... Hillsville... Fancy Gap... Cana... Gladesboro... Woodlawn... and Pipers Gap.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 12 at 2:47PM EDT until June 12 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 321 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 37 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA AMHERST APPOMATTOX BUCKINGHAM CAMPBELL CITY OF LYNCHBURG IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA BEDFORD CHARLOTTE CITY OF DANVILLE CITY OF MARTINSVILLE HALIFAX HENRY PITTSYLVANIA IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA BLAND CARROLL CITY OF GALAX CITY OF RADFORD CRAIG FLOYD GILES GRAYSON MONTGOMERY PATRICK PULASKI SMYTH TAZEWELL WYTHE IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA ALLEGHANY VA BATH BOTETOURT CITY OF BUENA VISTA CITY OF COVINGTON CITY OF LEXINGTON CITY OF ROANOKE CITY OF SALEM FRANKLIN ROANOKE ROCKBRIDGE IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA GREENBRIER MERCER MONROE SUMMERS
About
Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground is a primitive camping area located along the Rock Castle Gorge Trail in the Rocky Knob Recreation Area of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd, Virginia. The 8 backcountry sites can be reached from various access points, with hiking distances ranging from half a mile (via CC Camp Lane/State Road 605) to 8 miles from Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks. The complete Rock Castle Gorge Trail forms a 10.8-mile loop with several connecting trails. Each campsite features a fire ring and bear-proof food storage locker. A portable toilet serves all sites. No potable water is available; campers must pack in their own water supply. All trash must be packed out. Rock Castle Creek and Little Rock Castle Creek flow near the campground, offering scenic beauty and fishing opportunities (Virginia license required). This is black bear country, requiring proper food storage in the provided lockers. Summers are hot and humid (70-88°F) while winter temperatures range from 30-50°F during the day and can drop below freezing at night. Cell phone service is unreliable. A backcountry permit obtained through Recreation.gov is required and must be printed and carried at all times.
Directions
The closest access is at the end of Virginia State Road 605 (CC Camp Lane), a gravel/dirt road off VA Highway 8 between Stuart and Floyd. Alternative trailheads along the Blue Ridge Parkway include Rocky Knob Campground (Milepost 167), The Saddle Overlook (Milepost 168), Rock Castle Gorge Overlook (Milepost 168.7), Rocky Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 169), and Twelve O'clock Overlook (Milepost 169).
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| blri_campgrounds@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (828) 276-2300 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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