This is a FREE national forest site along Hwy 58. There are quite a few of these sites within 3 miles of this site. Road side, but with the creek next to you it drowns out all road noise.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Refugio Entre Pinos

## Overview

Raccoon Branch Campground, nestled at the base of Dickey Knob, offers scenic mountain views, hiking trail access from campsites and cool mountain streams. Campers can access Dickey Creek and the Raccoon Branch from the campground. The most notable time to visit is fall, when the trees boast gorgeous fall foliage.   
  
With a location just 11 miles from Interstate 81, the beautiful campground is easily reached by drivers heading out from one of the surrounding cities. 

## Recreation

The beautiful Dickey Knob Trail takes hikers through a Wilderness to the top of Dickey Knob for spectacular views of Sugar Grove and Rye Valley. The creek provides a setting for wading and fishing.

## Facilities

Every site accommodates RV or tent camping and nearly half the campsites have electric hookups. Perks of the campground include flush toilets, drinking water, paved roads and spurs and a dump station. A volunteer host is onsite to welcome visitors and offer advice on the region.

## Natural Features

The campground is at an elevation of 2,880 ft., along a large grassy area, surrounded by pines, hardwoods and rhododendrons. Perched in the Appalachian Mountains, Raccoon Branch is part of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, a 200,000-acre stretch of designated wilderness areas. 

## Nearby Attractions

Hike the Appalachian Trail, which extends more than 2,175 miles throughout the Appalachian Mountains across 14 states. The trail was designated as the first National Scenic Trail. The Virginia Creeper Trail, Hungry Mother State Park and Grayson Highlands State Park are nearby.

Raccoon Branch Campground

Jefferson National Forest Raccoon Branch Campground

## Overview

Hurricane Campground is one of the best kept secrets in southwest Virginia. Located along a rushing mountain stream under the shade of hemlock and rhododendron, this campground offers a peaceful setting for those looking to relax as well as visitors looking for outdoor adventure.   
  
From the campsite, hikers can access many trails including the Appalachian Trail. This well-known trail extends more than 2,189 miles throughout the Appalachian Mountains across 14 states. It is a protected greenway and owns the title as the first National Scenic Trail. 

## Recreation

Visitors frequently explore the Hurricane Knob Trail. The loop trail, at 1.1 miles, parallels Hurricane Creek for about half a mile, crosses two wooden bridges and ascends to the picturesque Hurricane Knob. The creeks are stocked with trout for a relaxing day of fishing. 

## Facilities

Hurricane has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and a playing field. Large RVs are not recommended. Each site comes with a lantern pole, picnic table and campfire ring. 

## Natural Features

The campground is perched along Hurricane Branch and Comers Creek, among colorful rhododendron. Several groomed, grassy fields unfold at the campground, but the campsites are nicely shaded by mixed woods of oak and hemlock. Hurricane Knob is nearby with an elevation from 2800 to 3050 feet. 

## Nearby Attractions

Hurricane and Comers creeks run through the campground and surrounding areas for wading and trout fishing. Additional fishing options and excellent hunting opportunities are available near the campground. State fishing and hunting regulations and licensing requirements apply. Hurricane Knob Nature Trail offers a brisk 1-mile loop hike and there is easy access to the Appalachian Trail within ½ mile. The entire campground has a relaxing, rustic atmosphere and an open field allows for games and family fun.

Hurricane Campground

Royal Oak - Hungry Mother State Park

## Overview

Old Virginia Group Horse Camp provides group equestrian camping just minutes from a large network of horse trails in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Old Virginia is a secluded, picturesque campground that can accommodate up to 25 guests and 25 horses. The picturesque views of the mountains and the trickling sounds of the stream create a relaxing, serene vibe for visitors at the primitive camping site. 

## Recreation

Old Virginia offers easy access to the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, which connects to the Iron Mountain Trail. From the Iron Mountain Trail, riders can also access the Virginia Creeper Trail to the west or the New River Trail to the east. The Virginia Creeper Trail boasts 33.4 miles of scenery with about 100 trestles and bridges.

## Facilities

No drinking water is provided. Please bring plenty of water and tools for manure removal. The campground is easily accessed from a paved road and two portable toilets are provided.   
  
Horses may drink from the stream.

## Natural Features

The campground sits in the Fairwood Valley along a stream that flows into Fox Creek. The valley is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in western Virginia. The forests span 1.8 million acres of rugged Appalachians through Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. 

## Nearby Attractions

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area high country trails, Virginia Creeper Trail, Grayson Highlands State Park, Hungry Mother State Park

Old Virginia Group Horse Camp

## Overview

Fox Creek Horse Camp is a premiere destination for riding enthusiasts who are looking for the rare opportunity to ride from their campsite onto hundreds of miles of trails in the spectacular Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Located at almost 4,000 feet, it serves as a welcome retreat for summer camping and horseback riding. 

## Recreation

While hiking and horseback riding are the primary attractions near the campground, there are also ample native trout streams, the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, local festivals and music, the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail. 

## Facilities

This campground offers the basic amenities including pit toilets, garbage and manure collection, and visitor information. Nearby Grindstone Campground offers campers at Fox Creek potable water, 

## Natural Features

The campground is adjacent to Fox Creek, a small rocky trout stream with large boulders and rhododendron and northern hardwoods along the banks. The campsites are located in open fields on either side of the creek. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Mount Rogers High country offers opportunities for day trips and overnight pack trips. This open setting offers expansive views, summer rhododendron flowering, blueberry picking, and spectacular fall colors. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Headquarters is located about 20 minutes from the campground and offers maps, directions, and a variety of bookstore items.

Fox Creek Horse Camp

## Overview

Blue Springs Gap Cabin is located high on a mountaintop near Camp, Virginia, giving visitors the feeling of being on top of the world. The space has three comfortable bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room with a large stone fireplace. Electricity and flush toilet add modern comfort to this rustic mountain setting.   
  
Accessible hiking and biking trails pass near the cabin and Hale Lake is just 2 miles away, providing combined opportunities for bird watching, hiking, biking, fishing and picnicking. 

## Recreation

The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area features four Congressionally designated wilderness areas; the Virginia Creeper Trail; the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway; the 5,000 acre Crest Zone, featuring elevations over 4,000 feet, large rock formations and a herd of wild, free-ranging ponies; and last but not least, the highest elevated road in the state of Virginia leading to the summit of Whitetop Mountain.   
  
The Blue Springs Trout Fishing stream is just over a mile from the cabin and Hale Lake is about 2 miles away. Hale Lake is popular among anglers who come to these quiet mountainside waters in search of a good day of fishing.   
  
The Hale Lake Trail, 0.58-mile loop trail is an easy hike around that lake, occasionally veering away from the shoreline and into the surrounding hardwood forests. Birders will probably find this site most productive during migration.   
  
In spring, it should be easy to spot several species of warblers and flycatchers. In fall, the lake is likely to invite migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Wood duck breed in the area and can occasionally be seen on the lake. White-tailed deer and wild turkey roam through the surrounding woodlands, and might be found approaching the lake to quench a thirst.

## Facilities

The cabin and grounds can fit a maximum of eight people. The single-story cabin comes with three bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and living room. One bedroom has a queen bed, the other has a full sized bunk bed, and the third has a twin bunk bed.  
  
  
  
The large stone fireplace provides heat, but there is no other heat source, and no air conditioning either. Electricity is available from April 1 to November 29. Flush toilet is available from April 1-October 31, and a portable toilet is used from November 1 to November 29.  
  
  
  
Outside there is a porch with a porch swing, a grill and picnic table. No linens, blankets or pillows are provided, so campers are recommended to bring their own to ensure a comfortable stay. There is a fully stocked kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave available for your use.   
  
  
  
Most importantly, there is no water available at the cabin. Visitors must bring plenty of their own for drinking, washing and cooking. Garbage bags, firewood, a flashlight and a first aid kit are also recommended.

## Natural Features

Blue Springs Gap is situated in a grassy clearing atop a mountain peak in southwest Virginia. From the cabin's front porch campers have views of the impressive Appalachian peaks and valleys. Beyond the clearing is a dense stand of mixed hardwoods and pines.   
  
The cabin is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, a 200,000-acre stretch of land that includes two lakes, 50 miles of streams and multiple historic sites. During the fall months, visitors are treated to an incredible showing of autumn colors, as the foliage display in the area is known as some of the best in the region. 

## Nearby Attractions

The nearest access to drinking water is 4 miles east at Comers Rock Campground. The nearest phone is 12 miles in Speedwell, Virginia.

Blue Springs Gap Cabin

## Overview

Grindstone Campground is tucked in the Fairwood Valley among pastures and wooded hillsides. The surrounding Mount Rogers National Recreation Area provides endless opportunities for fun and relaxation in the nature setting. The Campground will be closed until further notice due to facility repair needs. Opossum Loop will be open for tent campers. There will be no available water. No Dump Station available. 

## Recreation

The area offers excellent hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting. Recommended hiking trails include the Mount Rogers Trail at 7.5 miles and the Whispering Waters Nature Trail at 0.6 miles.   
  
Several streams pass by just beyond the campground, with trout fishing available in abundance.   
  
The campground boasts a water play area in the creek, an amphitheater, a playground and volleyball courts to entertain families.

## Facilities

All sites have a fire ring with a cooking grate, lantern post, picnic table, and tent pad. Domestic pets are allowed as long as they are attended and kept on a leash no longer than six feet. Standard electric sites have 30 amp service and a water hook-up. PLEASE NOTE ALL CAMPSITES IN COTTONTAIL AND GROUNDHOG DEN WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. NO AVAILABLE WATER IN OPOSSUM, COTTONTAIL, AND GROUNDHOG DEN LOOPS. 

## Natural Features

At 3,800 feet, Grindstone is surrounded by mixed hardwoods, hemlock and rhododendrons. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area spans 200,000 acres of National Forest, with four wildlife-rich wilderness areas. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, which traverses more than 50 miles with views of forestland and open rural countryside, is accessible nearby.

Grindstone

Jefferson National Forest Grindstone Campground

USDA Forest Service

Beautiful spot right by a babbling creek that will lull you to sleep. 

Great free sites!

Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March - we didn’t see a single soul. Got a beautiful campsite right on the creek. There’s lots of gorgeous spots on this stretch of road. 

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

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2022 Explorer Giveaway

Great free sites!

This spot is incredible.

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