Laurel Bank Campground

I discovered this campground along Hwy 276 on the way to Shining Rock, and I’m glad I did. Although it seems like it’s only for RVs, it does have a section for tents. Most of the campground appears to be permanent sites, and there are several mailboxes within the campground. While speaking to Sherrie(the host), she told me where the tent sites were. There was at least one overflow site that did not have water and electricity. That would be good for tent campers that don’t require water and electricity, but it also is great for having more privacy since it is a couple of hundred feet before you get to the first RVs. The tent site where I was had a concrete picnic table, a fire pit, a small tent pad, and a trash can a few feet away. These tent sites are between the small pond and the East Fork Pigeon River. There is nothing better than sleeping beside a whitewater river like this and listening to it all night. Even in the summer, you need to take a warm sleeping bag since this campground is in the mountains next to a small river. I’ve made the mistake before of thinking the nights wouldn’t be cold during the summer. I was wrong. The tent pads are small, but you are only allowed one tent and up to four people per site anyway. Do not plan on taking an extremely large tent(such as a 10’ x 18’). You can go swimming in the pond, and there is even a diving platform; but you cannot fish in it. The bath house was small, but it was clean and well-maintained, and the laundry was in the same building. The walk from the tent site to the bath house is a short walk; just don’t sleep walk to it and fall into the pond. Beside one of the bath houses, there is a place to play horse shoes. Most people who are temporary campers come to this area for the Blue Ridge Parkway, the trails, and the waterfalls, which is short drive. Another activity is volleyball, and there is a dartboard at the pavilion, so if you are not fishing in the river or travelling to the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are other activities at your fingertips. Sherrie was very hospitable, and the campground is well worth a visit.