Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping
Open — Open year-round with advance reservations available through Recreation.gov. A backcountry camping permit is required for all overnight use and must be in possession at all times.
Wind Advisory issued December 29 at 9:15PM EST until December 30 at 12:00PM EST by NWS Blacksburg VA
* WHAT...Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia, and southeast West Virginia. * WHEN...Until noon EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
About
Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground is a primitive camping area located in one of the Blue Ridge Parkway's most rugged areas at Rocky Knob Recreation Area. The campground features eight hike-in campsites situated at the bottom of Rock Castle Gorge along Rock Castle Creek, the site of a former Civilian Conservation Corps camp. Access requires hiking distances ranging from 0.5 miles (via Virginia State Road 605) to 8 miles from various Blue Ridge Parkway trailheads including Rocky Knob Campground (Milepost 167), The Saddle Overlook (Milepost 168), Rock Castle Gorge Overlook (Milepost 168.7), and Rocky Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 169). The complete Rock Castle Gorge Trail forms a strenuous 10.8-mile loop, descending over 1,000 feet in its first three miles from the upper trailheads. The trail passes through oak-hickory forests mixed with maples, tulip trees, bigtooth aspens, basswoods, and mountain laurel. Notable features include the Bare Rocks boulder field and extensive rhododendron stands along the rim. Rock Castle Creek, Little Rock Castle Creek, and numerous other streams provide scenic backdrop throughout the gorge. Black bears and diverse wildlife inhabit the area. Virginia fishing licenses are required for creek fishing. The campground operates year-round with a backcountry permit required for all overnight use.
Directions
Access depends on chosen trailhead. Closest parking is at the end of Virginia State Road 605 (CC Camp Lane), a gravel road off VA Highway 8 between Stuart and Floyd. Blue Ridge Parkway access points include Rocky Knob Campground at Milepost 167, The Saddle Overlook at Milepost 168, Rock Castle Gorge Overlook at Milepost 168.7, Rocky Knob Visitor Center at Milepost 169, and Twelve O'clock Overlook at Milepost 169. Virginia Highway 8 provides closest parkway access at Milepost 165.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| 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 |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
Photos
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