Reservations are available through Recreation.gov, but Rocky Knob Campground also holds a substantial number of first-come, first-serve sites, making it a workable stop for Blue Ridge Parkway travelers who haven't planned far ahead. Sites run $30 to $45 per night during the May through early November season. The campground is split into distinct loops with different characters: the T loop sits more open and parallel to the Parkway, where road noise is more noticeable, while Loop C is tent-only, farthest from traffic, and consistently recommended by reviewers who want more separation from RV sites. Only 28 sites accommodate RVs, with a maximum length of 55 feet and a dump station available.
The forest canopy covers most of the campground, though the T loop opens up considerably. Sites in Loop C are spaced well and tend to be quiet, with generators prohibited in the tent camping area and quiet hours starting at 10pm. Cell service is poor throughout. Some sites have bear lockers, which matters given that deer, turkeys, and bears all frequent the area, as Jean C. notes: "deer, turkeys and bear frequent the area." Bathrooms have flush toilets but no showers, and at least one reviewer flagged the lighting inside as nonexistent despite the campground having electricity.
Firewood sells for around $7 a bundle on the honor system, though the supply is locked up by 5:30 each evening. The Rock Castle Gorge trail departs nearby and passes waterfalls and a former CCC camp, though hikers should know the route descends first, meaning the return leg is uphill. Mabry Mill, a well-known historic grist mill along the Parkway, sits a few miles south. The town of Floyd, with restaurants and live music, is a short drive away. For those camping elsewhere along the corridor, campgrounds around Blue Ridge Parkway vary considerably in size and amenities. Hikers looking for a more remote stay might also consider Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground, which sits within the same drainage.
Late October brings open sightlines toward the surrounding ridges as the leaf canopy thins, and the campground tends to be less crowded mid-week. Tim Y. puts it simply: "Far from RV sites, the spaces are quiet with plenty of room." Campers who arrive without a reservation should bring cash or a check for the iron ranger. If Rocky Knob fits your route, it rewards those who come prepared for basic facilities and genuinely enjoy the forest setting.
Description
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
Rocky Knob Campground combines the exhilaration of a traditional outdoor camping experience with modern amenities like flush toilets, dump station, and drinking water. Both RV and tent sites are available, each equipped with picnic tables, lantern poles, and fire rings/grills--perfect for picnics, barbecues or late night s'mores. The campground almost always has campsites available. In addition to the 44 sites available for advanced reservation, 62 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability of the first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. The sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk. Primitive Backcountry Camping is available at Rock Castle Gorge. Obtain a free permit from the Rocky Knob campground office (May-October) (540-745-9664) or the Rocky Knob District Office (540-745-9660).
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsRocky Knob Campground is located in Virginia near Woolwine
Directions
Rocky Knob Campground is located at Milepost 167.1 on Blue Ridge Parkway, 1.8 miles south of the intersection of the Parkway and State Route 8, about 8 miles (13 km) from the town of Floyd, or about 90 minutes south of Roanoke by car. Visitors are advised that directions from resources like Google Maps and GPS devices are not always correct and should be double-checked.
Address
Milepost 167.1 Blue Ridge Parkway
VA
Coordinates
36.8313889 N
80.3444444 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/3/26
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/3/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 46 min from Blacksburg, VA
- 1 hr 25 min from Winston-Salem, NC
- 1 hr 40 min from Greensboro, NC
