Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

## Overview

Relax at this popular, yet peaceful recreation area beside Beartree Lake complete with campsites, a picnic area, nearby trails and a scenic lake. Campsites are popular with tent campers since there are no hookups, but RVs are welcome and easily accommodated. Group sites are available with reservations.

## Recreation

The campground offers two fishing piers, and smallmouth bass, sunfish, rainbow and brown trout are all possible catches.  
  
  
The Beartree Lake Trail, which circles the lake, is excellent for hiking. Half of the trail is paved for an easier walk.   
 

## Facilities

Tent and RV campers are welcome. Drinking water and a water fill-up station are provided. A dump station is located on the left side of the road before the contact station as you enter the campground. Each site has a grill and picnic table, and most are secluded from other sites. The group picnic shelter accommodates 50 guests and most group sites fit 24 guests. (Group sites are closed for the 2021 season.)

## Natural Features

The campground is located in diverse vegetation, and Beartree Lake is surrounded by dense trees that meet the shoreline.   
  
The Mount Rogers Scenic Byway passes near the campground, highlighting the impressive valleys, mountains, forests and rural countrysides of western Virginia. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Appalachian Trail, which extends more than 2,175 miles throughout the Appalachian Mountains and across 14 states, is accessible nearby.

Beartree Recreation Area

Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground

Open in July 2013, the 15-site RV park, located along the scenic Laurel Creek in Damascus Virginia is open year-round. The RV park provides a great spot from which to enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and the many attractions of Damascus which is also the gateway to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and is a destination for families wanting to experience the out-of-doors in a relaxing setting. In addition, many campers enjoy the convenience of Laurel Creek RV Park as a base of operations in order to take time out and explore this amazing tri-state area!

Laurel Creek RV Park

Creaper Trail Campground is the best place to camp while riding the Virginia Creeper Rail Trail.  We are a small mountainous campground in the Appalachian Highlands with great hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities.  We have RV sites, primitive tent sites and group sites.

Creeper Trail Campground 

The campground has 10 single campsites, including two double sites within Backbone Rock Campground. The campground has flush toilets. Each site contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder. The pavilions at Backbone Rock Recreation Area are popular locations for family reunions, weddings and other types of group gatherings. The two pavilions are in distinctly separate areas. Pavilion #1 is larger and adjacent to a large field, Beaverdam Creek and large parking area. Pavilion #2 is in a more secluded setting down old stone steps and along Beaverdam Creek. Natural Features: Backbone Rock Recreation Area is located along Beaverdam Creek in northern Johnson County. Backbone Rock gets its name from a spur ridge on Holston Mountain that ends abruptly at a bend in Beaverdam Creek. A tunnel was drilled through the rock in 1901 to allow railroad access between Shady Valley and Damascus, VA. Motorists pass through what is locally known as "The shortest tunnel in the world" as they travel along TN 133. Recreation: There is a trail that will take you to the top of Backbone Rock, following a stone-step wooded path. The trail crosses the rock and leads to Beaverdam Creek or Backbone Rock Falls. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail adjoins Backbone Rock Trail. Beaverdam Creek is known for its excellent fishing. Facilities: There is a CCC-era pavilion at each site with picnic tables and grills. The larger pavilion, Pavilion #1, includes a stone fireplace and four large picnic tables with additional tables and grills nearby. Vault toilets are located within the parking area. Pavilion #2 also has an original stone fireplace, four tables and nearby grills and additional tables. Parking and a vault toilet are located across the street from the picnic area. Nearby Attractions: Damascus, Virginia is five miles north of Backbone Rock for any in-town needs.

Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground

Jefferson National Forest Grindstone Campground

## 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

Lonesome Pines Cabins

Grayson Highlands Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground

## 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

National Forest

Loved this spot - we got lucky and parked right next to a swimming hole, had a gorgeous swim and enjoyed our time. No service, off-grid, really lovely. 

Beautiful, Quiet, Off-Grid

At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant.  The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail are just minutes away, as well as some easy whitewater paddling fun on the White Top Laurel Creek.

  

Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! 

  

Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease. We stayed at this camp for 3 weeks during the pandemic shutdown and it was a perfect place to ride out this crazy storm and decompress from some anxiety. 

  

The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 12 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

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Beautiful, Quiet, Off-Grid

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