The North Carolina High Country surrounding West Jefferson offers campground elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 feet, creating comfortable summer temperatures typically 10-15°F cooler than lowland areas. The region includes access to the South Fork of the New River, designated as an American Heritage River and North Carolina State Scenic River. Camping options include rustic tent sites, full hookup RV accommodations, and luxury glamping facilities throughout the area.
What to do
Hiking Mount Rogers: Access the highest point in Virginia (5,729 feet) from Hickory Ridge Campground in Grayson Highlands State Park, approximately 40 minutes from West Jefferson. "The wild ponies make this area so special and worth the drive," reports one camper, while another adds, "What a great site. Terrain changes throughout with dense forest and brushy ridgelines. Makes for a really great hike and camp."
Trout fishing: The streams near West Jefferson offer excellent fishing opportunities. "We caught a trout in the pond right away," reports a visitor to Blue Bear Mountain Camp. For more organized water recreation, "Check out RiverGirl Fishing for some great times on the New River," a camper recommends.
Mountain biking: The region offers trails for various skill levels, particularly around Boone. A visitor to Flintlock Campground notes it's "very close to Boone and Banner Elk" providing "convenient" access to mountain biking trails. The campground sits beside a creek where "there are lots of rocks to jump on. My children spent hours every day exploring."
Wine tasting: Several wineries operate within a 15-20 minute drive of Stone Mountain State Park. "It is about a 15 minute drive to 3 great wineries and walkable to the trail head for the Stone Mountain loop," notes one camper. Another visitor to the area recommends "Grandfather Vineyard" where they "spent a fantastic afternoon 5 minutes away... wine tasting, food truck, and live music."
What campers like
Cool mountain temperatures: The elevation provides natural air conditioning during summer months. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," according to one camper. Another visitor noted, "We've been camping there for 8 years and love it more each time we go. The weather is so much cooler in the summer there (70-80 in July!)."
River access: Many campsites back up to flowing water, providing both recreation and natural white noise. At New River State Park, "Every spot here is close to the river! The gentle sound of the New river is the most peaceful sound!" A visitor to Hurricane Campground enjoyed "having the sound of the river right next to our site."
Stargazing: Clear mountain air and limited light pollution create ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. Stone Mountain State Park offers "the best stargazing you could ask for," according to one camper. Another notes the park provides "breathtaking" night skies visible from most campsites.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer well-spaced sites. At Grandfather Campground, "You have to be careful to book the correct kind of tent site if you want to be in a more wooded area." A camper at Stone Mountain appreciated that "campsites are very spaced out about a quarter mile apart."
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating narrow or unpaved roads. For Hurricane Campground, "I wish I had known that the best route into the campground is 16 to 650. Instead, I took 650 from the north west, which turns out to be a 4 mile stretch of gravel road - which my little car had a rough time handling."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal or no connectivity. When visiting Grindstone Campground, one camper noted "There is no cell phone service. The campsite is wooded and the spaces are distanced well." Another visitor to Hurricane Campground warns "absolutely no reception so be sure to have everything squared away before entering the park!"
Varying bathroom facilities: Campground bathrooms range from basic to well-appointed. At Stone Mountain, "bathrooms were clean, fellow campers were respectful and nice," while a visitor to Honey Bear Campground found "The bathhouse was in good order, and the staff checked on it multiple times during the day."
Weather variability: Mountain weather can change quickly. A camper at Grayson Highlands advises, "Weather is unpredictable, so pack a raincoat and warm clothes just in case." For winter visitors, most campgrounds remain open but require additional preparation for mountain conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Look for campgrounds with nature programs. At Stone Mountain State Park, families can explore the historic homestead area near the base of the mountain. "Great hikes and area for the family. Beautiful scenery and some great swimming holes," notes one visitor. Another adds, "The homestead was so neat to walk around at the base of the mountain."
Kid-friendly water features: Creeks and shallow river sections provide natural playgrounds. At Flintlock Campground, "There is a beautiful mini river running through the campground with a lot of rocks to jump on. My children spent hours every day exploring." A visitor to Honey Bear Campground appreciated "creeks to splash in. Full bathhouses, laundry & even a gameroom. My kids loved the tire swings & animals!"
Planned activities: Some campgrounds offer organized entertainment. At Honey Bear, families enjoy "rootbeer float nights, outdoor movies with marshmallow pits," according to one camper. Another visitor notes, "The campground had several family activities like a haunted trail and trick or treating for the kiddos."
Open play areas: Look for campgrounds with fields or playgrounds. Julian Price Campground features "plenty to keep kids and adults alike entertained, whether it's exploring the homestead area, looking for ponies, taking short hikes, geocaching, or playing games on the open field area."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many mountain campgrounds have sloped sites. At Honey Bear Campground, "The sites are a little sloped, so have leveling equipment ready." A visitor to Honey Bear Campground cautions, "The sites are a little sloped, so have leveling equipment ready. The sites vary from small and close together, to medium size with established plumeria shrubs separating sites for some privacy."
Narrow access roads: Large rigs may face challenges at some campgrounds. At Flintlock Campground, "The drive into/out of the campground is on a main drive and on a hill which makes it difficult leaving," while Blue Bear Mountain visitors note "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there."
Hookup variations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "They do not have water hookups- you fill your camper tank with water at the office area. They have spots with electric hookups. They have a dump station where you can empty your tanks on your way out."
Site selection: Research specific sites before booking. At Grandfather Campground, "The site was quite un-level side to side, and we couldn't get our trailer completely level side to side. The site was a bit tough to maneuver into (doable, though!)." For the best experience at Honey Bear, "All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and bathrooms with electricity and flush toilets."
