Virginia / Craig County / Jefferson National Forest

Steel Bridge Campground

Closed — Currently closed for the season. The campground typically operates seasonally.

About

Steel Bridge Group Campground is a rustic, no-frills camping destination located along Potts Creek in Jefferson National Forest near Paint Bank, Virginia. The campground features three distinct group campsites identified as Red, White, and Blue. Red and Blue sites accommodate up to 25 people and 10 vehicles each, while White site is designed for smaller groups of up to 10 people and 3 vehicles. There is no minimum occupancy requirement. Set in a narrow valley flanked by National Forest land, the campground offers a peaceful setting with well-shaded sites along a single dirt road paralleling the creek. Each site includes a group fire ring and picnic tables. Potts Creek, a stocked trout stream, flows adjacent to the campground and features a small swimming hole, rock ledges, and small waterfalls for wading and playing. A day-use area near the entrance gate is available to all permit holders. The campground requires advance reservations through Recreation.gov and operates with a gated entry system. Campers must obtain a gate code prior to arrival by contacting the Eastern Divide Ranger District. The location is remote with no cell phone service, and visitors must bring their own drinking water and pack out all trash. All roads leading to the campground are paved except for the final entrance. Historic Paint Bank is just 5 minutes away.

Directions

From I-81: Take Exit 141 onto SR 419 north to SR 311. Travel north on SR 311 36 miles to Paint Bank. Take right on SR 18, and then go 3.5 miles to campground on right. All roads are paved until you reach the campground. Driving distance from I-81 is about 40 miles; estimated driving time is 1 hour.

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