## Overview

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground is a primitive camp located along the
Rock Castle Gorge Trail in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area which is part of
the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campsites can be reached from various points
ranging in distance from 1/2 mile to 8 miles.

The complete Rock Castle Gorge Trail is a 10.8 mile loop, there are several
other loop trails that connect to it. Rock Castle Creek, Little Rock Castle
Creek and many other streams and creeks meander along the trail and run right
by the campground. Fishing requires a Virginia Fishing License, and the State
of Virginia laws and regulations apply.

The year-round campground has eight campsites. Each has a fire ring/pad and
food storage lockers. A Portable Toilet is available.

Plan to pack in your water for safety.

Summers are hot (70 to 88 Degrees) and humid as Rock Castle Creek is adjacent
to the campground. Winter temperatures (Daytime 30 to 50 Degrees) can easily
drop below freezing at night.

## Recreation

Hiking, sightseeing, majestic Blue Ridge Parkway views and simple relaxation
are all in store in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area.

## Facilities

Hiking, sightseeing, majestic Blue Ridge Parkway views and simple relaxation
are all in store in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area.

## Natural Features

Venture into one of the Parkway’s more rugged areas at Rocky Knob. Hike
through forests, explore mountain ridges, or enjoy spring wildflowers and
rhododendrons. Rock Castle Creek, Little Rock Castle Creek and many other
streams and creeks abound. Bare Rocks and other geological outcrops and long
distance views from the upper elevations of the Rock Castle Gorge Trail are
sure to please. Plenty of wildlife including black bears.

## contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (828) 276-2300.

## Nearby Attractions

Floyd, VA is less than 8 miles away, known for eclectic shops, mountain music
venues and great places to eat along with grocery stores, variety stores and
pharmacies.Visit Floyd Virginia

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground is a primitive camp located along the Rock Castle Gorge Trail in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area which is part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.</p>
<p>The Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campsites can be reached from various points ranging in distance from 1/2 mile to 8 miles.  </p>
<p>The complete Rock Castle Gorge Trail is a 10.8 mile loop, there are several other loop trails that connect to it. Rock Castle Creek, Little Rock Castle Creek and many other streams and creeks meander along the trail and run right by the campground. Fishing requires a Virginia Fishing License, and the State of Virginia laws and regulations apply. </p>
<p>The year-round campground has eight campsites. Each has a fire ring/pad and food storage lockers. A Portable Toilet is available. </p>
<p>Plan to pack in your water for safety. </p>
<p>Summers are hot (70 to 88 Degrees) and humid as Rock Castle Creek is adjacent to the campground. Winter temperatures (Daytime 30 to 50 Degrees) can easily drop below freezing at night.  </p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Hiking, sightseeing, majestic Blue Ridge Parkway views and simple relaxation are all in store in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>Hiking, sightseeing, majestic Blue Ridge Parkway views and simple relaxation are all in store in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area.</p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>Venture into one of the Parkway’s more rugged areas at Rocky Knob. Hike through forests, explore mountain ridges, or enjoy spring wildflowers and rhododendrons. Rock Castle Creek, Little Rock Castle Creek and many other streams and creeks abound. Bare Rocks and other geological outcrops and long distance views from the upper elevations of the Rock Castle Gorge Trail are sure to please. Plenty of wildlife including black bears.</p>

<h2>contact_info</h2>
For facility specific information, please call (828) 276-2300.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>Floyd, VA is less than 8 miles away, known for eclectic shops, mountain music venues and great places to eat along with grocery stores, variety stores and pharmacies.<a href="https://visitfloydva.com/" rel="nofollow">Visit Floyd Virginia</a> </p>

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground reservations are available on a
6-month rolling basis prior to planned start dates.

The backcountry camping permit fee is $15 per night per site.

**Do not print your permit until you have confirmed you will be completing
your backcountry trip. Once the permit has been printed you can not cancel or
modify the reservation.**

**Changes/Modifications**

  * Changes may be made prior to the day the reservation begins.
  * If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
  * There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. 
  * If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date.

**Cancellations**

  * Customers may cancel their reservation prior to day of arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 cancellation fee will be withheld from any refund due back the customer. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below).

**Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window**

  * A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will have a $10.00 cancellation fee withheld from their refund AND will forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

Bird's eye view of the campground

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

## Overview

Located on the famous Blue Ridge Parkway in the hills of rural Virginia, Rocky
Knob Campground is nestled amid rolling meadowlands with impressive displays
of seasonal flowers, endless night skies and green pastures. Numerous nearby
overlooks and the winding parkway provide an ideal backdrop for a traditional
camping experience.

## Recreation

The campground is located in the Rocky Knob Recreation area, surrounded by
more than 4,000 acres of forest.  
The site offers easy access to the **Rock Castle Gorge Trail** , a 10.8-mile
(17.4 km) loop trail ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 3,572 feet (518 to
1,089 m). Rock Castle Gorge, a 1,500-foot (457 m) ravine carved by the waters
of Rock Castle Creek, is the focal point of this trail, offering hikers
breathtaking scenery.

**Black Ridge Trail** : a moderate 3-mile loop passing through the forest on a
seldom-used gravel road and through a meadow. Accessed from the Rocky Knob
Visitor Center.

Numerous tours and interpretive talks are given near the Gorge and surrounding
trails during the summer, offering campers the chance to learn more about the
area's historical significance and abundant plants and wildlife.

## Facilities

The campground is located in the Rocky Knob Recreation area, surrounded by
more than 4,000 acres of forest.  
The site offers easy access to the **Rock Castle Gorge Trail** , a 10.8-mile
(17.4 km) loop trail ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 3,572 feet (518 to
1,089 m). Rock Castle Gorge, a 1,500-foot (457 m) ravine carved by the waters
of Rock Castle Creek, is the focal point of this trail, offering hikers
breathtaking scenery.

**Black Ridge Trail** : a moderate 3-mile loop passing through the forest on a
seldom-used gravel road and through a meadow. Accessed from the Rocky Knob
Visitor Center.

Numerous tours and interpretive talks are given near the Gorge and surrounding
trails during the summer, offering campers the chance to learn more about the
area's historical significance and abundant plants and wildlife.

## Natural Features

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that stretches almost 500 miles along
the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia. It
offers plenty of natural attractions and recreational opportunities for
visitors, as well as a cross-section of Appalachian mountain history from pre-
historic times to early European settlements, and on to today. Rocky Knob
Campground, one of the first established sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway,
is home to several famous geological attractions. Rock Castle Gorge, known for
its beautiful rock crystalline quartz formations, was once home to several
mountain families. Visitors can still find remnants of their old apple
orchards and abandoned stone chimneys along parkway trails.

## Nearby Attractions

The nearby town of **Floyd** offers entertainment, shopping, food, gas and
lodging. There are also multiple wineries nearby that offer tours and
tastings.  
  
Visit **Mabry Mill** at milepost 176 near Meadows of Dan, Virginia.  
  
The campground is about 30 miles from **Mount Airy, North Carolina** , the
birthplace of actor Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the fictional TV-
series town of Mayberry. Mount Airy also offers grocery stores, gas stations
and medical facilities.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Located on the famous Blue Ridge Parkway in the hills of rural Virginia, Rocky Knob Campground is nestled amid rolling meadowlands with impressive displays of seasonal flowers, endless night skies and green pastures.  Numerous nearby overlooks and the winding parkway provide an ideal backdrop for a traditional camping experience.<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>The campground is located in the Rocky Knob Recreation area, surrounded by more than 4,000 acres of forest.  <br>The site offers easy access to the <strong>Rock Castle Gorge Trail</strong>, a 10.8-mile (17.4 km) loop trail ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 3,572 feet (518 to 1,089 m).  Rock Castle Gorge, a 1,500-foot (457 m) ravine carved by the waters of Rock Castle Creek, is the focal point of this trail, offering hikers breathtaking scenery. </p>
<p><strong>Black Ridge Trail</strong>:  a moderate 3-mile loop passing through the forest on a seldom-used gravel road and through a meadow.  Accessed from the Rocky Knob Visitor Center.</p>
<p>Numerous tours and interpretive talks are given near the Gorge and surrounding trails during the summer, offering campers the chance to learn more about the area's historical significance and abundant plants and wildlife.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>The campground is located in the Rocky Knob Recreation area, surrounded by more than 4,000 acres of forest.  <br>The site offers easy access to the <strong>Rock Castle Gorge Trail</strong>, a 10.8-mile (17.4 km) loop trail ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 3,572 feet (518 to 1,089 m).  Rock Castle Gorge, a 1,500-foot (457 m) ravine carved by the waters of Rock Castle Creek, is the focal point of this trail, offering hikers breathtaking scenery. </p>
<p><strong>Black Ridge Trail</strong>:  a moderate 3-mile loop passing through the forest on a seldom-used gravel road and through a meadow.  Accessed from the Rocky Knob Visitor Center.</p>
<p>Numerous tours and interpretive talks are given near the Gorge and surrounding trails during the summer, offering campers the chance to learn more about the area's historical significance and abundant plants and wildlife.</p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that stretches almost 500 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia.  It offers plenty of natural attractions and recreational opportunities for visitors, as well as a cross-section of Appalachian mountain history from pre-historic times to early European settlements, and on to today.   

Rocky Knob Campground, one of the first established sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway, is home to several famous geological attractions. Rock Castle Gorge, known for its beautiful rock crystalline quartz formations, was once home to several mountain families.  Visitors can still find remnants of their old apple orchards and abandoned stone chimneys along parkway trails.

  
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>The nearby town of <strong>Floyd </strong>offers entertainment, shopping, food, gas and lodging.  There are also multiple wineries nearby that offer tours and tastings.  <br><br>Visit  <strong>Mabry Mill</strong>  at milepost 176 near Meadows of Dan, Virginia.    <br><br>The campground is about 30 miles from <strong>Mount Airy, North Carolina</strong>, the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the fictional TV-series town of Mayberry.  Mount Airy also offers grocery stores, gas stations and medical facilities.</p>

The historic Mabry Mill is a nearby attraction on the Parkway.

The historic Mabry Mill is nearby.

Sunset at the Saddle Overlook Near Rocky Knob Campground

Sunset View at the Saddle Overlook Near Rocky Knob Campground

T Loop - RV only

The quiet peacefulness of a fog-shrouded day.

Shrouded in fog.

The Puckett Cabin on Groundhog Mountain is about 20 miles from the campground and accessible from the Parkway.  It stands in tribute of midwife Orlean Hawks Puckett who, beginning in her 50's, delivered over 1000 babies.

The Puckett Cabin on Groundhog Mountain.

The Saddle Overlook is just a short drive from the campground, offering impressive views and outstanding sunsets.

View from The Saddle overlook.

Rocky Knob in the sunshine.

This old AT shelter on the Rock Castle Gorge Trail offers spectacular views.  The trail runs close by the campground.

AT Shelter on Rock Castle Gorge Trail.

Early morning at Rocky Knob Campground.

Rocky Knob Picnic Area

Rocky Knob Campground

A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing
drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged
mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway
meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and
providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country
so special.

A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

Overview

Recreation

Facilities

Natural Features

contact_info

Nearby Attractions

Directions

Reviews

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds

Rocky Knob Campground