Grayson Highlands State Park
Tara S.
Reviewed May. 24, 2019

Awesome hiking, Quiet Campground

This is an amazing park, with a total of 4,822 acres to explore. It's a dream for hikers, allowing you to embark on numerous day hikes and connect with the Appalachian Trail. As many folks have also mentioned, there are feral ponies in the park, and if you hike on the Wilburn Ridge from Massie Gap, you will almost definitely see them. 

During my visit, I camped on a Monday night in early May. I did not make reservations, and there were plenty of sites available, although it was way busier than I expected. I'd say that half of the campsites were taken at Hickory Ridge Campground where I pitched my tent.

There are a few choices available here. If you choose a "primitive" site, which simply means no hook-ups, you pay your fee and choose whichever site is open when you get to the campground. You can not choose a specific site in advance. If you choose a site with full hook-ups, then you can pick the one you want. There are also four yurts available, but you have to book them for at least 2 nights in a row.

Primitive sites are $37 a night for out-of-state residents, which I think is quite pricy. The sites are also quite close together and not very private. Restrooms are clean and firewood is $6 for a bundle. 

I stayed in site #15, and while it wasn't private, I was lucky to have very nice and quiet neighbors. This is an amazing park, and I would definitely return to do some backpacking or to hike up Virginia's highest peak, Mt. Rogers. The four-star-rating is mainly because the sites are close together and because the campsites are expensive.

Site15
Month of VisitJune
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Grayson Highlands State Park by Tara S., May 24, 2019