The best camping in Grayson Highlands State Park, VA

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Top-rated campgrounds

Blue Bear Mountain Camp

98%
(191)
24mi from Grayson Highlands State Park · 46 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Boone, NC
Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers year-round camping experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Car-accessible tent and RV sites in a natural setting. Hike-in sites for those looking for a little more adventure and privacy. Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals for guests wanting a rustic, mountain getaway while staying in comfort. Located just 8 miles north of Boone, NC on over 150 acres of pristine mountain land, miles of hiking trails, a trout pond, and spacious low-density sites allow the guest to get away from it all in a rustic, remote setting. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At 4,000 feet elevation, come enjoy cool mountain breezes and mild temperatures. Blue Bear Mountain is a scenic location for large events such as weddings, corporate events, and family reunions. Come Get away from it all at Blue Bear Mountain! Blue Bear Mountain offers spacious, Low-Density RV camping, spacious, private, rustic car-accessible tent camping, and spacious, private remote tent camping. Blue Bear Mountain also offers luxury Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals to provide you with more choices of how to experience your mountain getaway. In a beautiful mountain setting with incredible views, the Stargazer Domes are a great way to enjoy the camping experience without really roughing it. Great for a romantic getaway or bringing the family. Furnished with a queen size bed, complete with high-quality linens, a bistro table, and chairs, you will stay in complete comfort. Conveniently located near the bathhouse with private bathrooms, a Laundry room, and a dishwashing station. You can drive right up to the handcrafted stargazer dome. Relax and take in the views while sitting around your stone fire ring. A park grill, picnic table, and free bundle of firewood are also provided to complete your glamping getaway.
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$30
 / night

Rivers Edge Trail Camp

99%
(1083)
44mi from Grayson Highlands State Park · 7 sites · RVs · Allisonia, VA
LIKE us on FACEBOOK at https://www.facebook.com/riversedgetrailcamp Standing on the New River Trail looking up where the campsites are located will give you the feeling that you truly are sleeping on the edge at Rivers Edge campground. Unique limestone formations can be found on the property. Large birds and even an eagle or two seem to prefer this area for hunting. Watch from a distance as farmers cut hay throughout the summer. This private cliff top setting has 6 newly created camp sites on 5 Acres. These sites are for camper vehicles only. NO TENTS! Enjoy less crowds and more nature! The long range views or the river and farmlands will take your breath away. At the bottom of the drive you have access to the New River and the New River Trail so bring your bike for more fun. Bike the trail, bird watch, or star gaze; the choices are endless. Don't be surprised to see bear, turkey, eagles, deer, or a coyote. PLEASE give us a rating on YELP also if you enjoyed your stay! The direct link to our place on Yelp is https://www.yelp.com/biz/rivers-edge-trail-camp-barren-springs?osq=Camping Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK at https://www.facebook.com/riversedgetrailcamp This is a great spot for people looking for peace and quiet. 26 Minutes upriver of Claytor Lake State Park. There is a zoo in nearby Ft. Chiswell. Each site has full hook ups. No tents are allowed due to lack of toilet facilities. Area grocery stores are located about 30 minutes away in Wytheville, Pulaski and Hillsville. A portion of the profits will be donated to a non-profit! Bookmark the direct link to our site here on HipCamp: https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/discover/virginia/rivers-edge-trail-camp
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from 
$50
 / night

Eden Oaks Vineyard & Campground

99%
(374)
44mi from Grayson Highlands State Park · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Ronda, NC
Eden Oaks Vineyard & Campground was a tobacco farm (antique tobacco barn still on property). The house was built in 1910 and has been updated. We purchased it in 2014 and converted it into a vineyard. We have RV sites with 50 amp and 30 amp electric hookups and water, and tents sites. For 2023 our rates are $30/night for RV Sites (50 amp or 30 amp electric hookups and water) and $25/night for Tent Sites. Tent sites do not have electricity or water hookups, but water is available at the well. (Due to inflation, 2024 our rates will be $30/night for RV Sites, $25/night for Tent Sites.) We do not have a dump station, but we do have a Port A John and a list of dump stations nearby. Campfires are allowed unless we have a state issued burning ban. Campers are responsible for controlling and extinguishing fires. Please be extremely careful during dry or drought conditions. Conveniently located one mile from Hwy 421 but remote and peaceful with plenty of room to roam on our 22 acres with grapevines, fruit trees, forest, creeks, fields, goats, Beagle and Jackabee (Beagle/Jack Russell) dogs, cows, chickens, ducks and goats. Also, we have wildlife such as birds, squirrels, groundhogs, deer, raccoons, opossums, etc. We are about 15 miles from Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro (home of the Merle Fest and Apple Festival). Eden Oaks is 18 miles from W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, 24 miles from Stone Mt. State Park, and 10 miles from Elkin (sponsors of the Wine Festival and Pumpkin Festival). Eden Oaks is in the heart of the Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek AVAs (American Viticultural Area). We're next door (3 miles) to Raffaldini and Piccione Vineyards. Take a day trip to Boone, Blowing Rock, Blue Ridge Parkway, Mt. Airy, Winston-Salem, Charlotte or additional areas of interest. We love it here and would like to share it with you. Learn more about this land: Shaded and semiprivate in woods with creek on property. Located on a working vineyard in the Swan Creek AVA. Primitive camp sites with campfire pits. Water, garbage cans, some sites have electricity available.  We offer individual sites of up to 4 people and group sites of up to 12 people.  We have 3 RV sites with water and 50 amp electric service, and one with 30 amp and water.    We have 4 primitive tent sites with fire pits.  We also supply one free bundle of firewood (more available for purchase if needed).  Please message us if you have any questions.  We look forward to hearing from you.   Update 10/3/2020:  Todd and April have opened FIRESIDE ESPRESSO--check them out on the web.  Update 4/28/2021:  Our Site 1, Site 2 and site 3 are RV sites with 50 amp electric service and water hookups.  Sites 4 is a 30 amp electric service with water which can be a small RV or a tent site. Sites 7, 8, 9 and 10 are tent sites only without water and electricity.  If you  have questions, please contact us.  Thanks. Update 5/3/2021:  Please check out recent photos of each campsite. Update 7/8/2023: Please see us on YouTube EDEN OAKS BEAGLES. Our channel has videos of our dogs, cats, goats, chickens, ducks, donkey and other animals. Very kid friendly. Please watch, subscribe, like and share.
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from 
$25
 / night

OnTop.camp - NW NC Ashe Co

99%
(819)
12mi from Grayson Highlands State Park · 5 sites · Tents · Jefferson, NC
STATUS of OT DOT CAMP 5.29.25 Welcome! Fireflies are now popping and the locust blossoms, wild rose and blackberries have just finished up. Milk weed and butterfly attractants will bloom in the coming month on sunrise mountain and it’s looking good! Our farm is vast and sparse, focusing on sustainability while giving back to the community. We are a safe haven for animals and humans alike. Situated on and between two peaks of Little Phoenix Mountain range in Jefferson Ashe County. Our sites’ altitudes range from 3100 feet to over 3600 feet, which is a lot of slope and hillside to say the least. As a guest you will be offered insane long views and limited exposure to the oldest registered breed of bovine in the world. Our Scottish Highland Cattle are majestic and fit in quite well in the NC mountainside. Located in the Blue Ridge mountains, we have natural water springs popping out, some of which are tapped to drink from. (10.1.23 currently farm springs are not accessible to guests, shatley springs up the road approx 4miles north has a public spring that we highly recommend) If you are looking for a camping spot that is only 5-10 minutes from town (Jefferson NC or the quaint Downtown West Jefferson) but feels like you're in the middle of no where, then we have it! The Blue Ridge Parkway is less than 20 minutes away and the New River equally close. Looking Forward: July update. We are currently working on provided an all downhill mountain bike trail from 3600 to 3150ft. This path will be double wide for the most part and wide open at first to soak in the se view. Will update when completed! *a ride back up for your bike and yourself will be scheduled if requested OnTopOfTheWorld.camp *firewood is available if you pay on site you will have to use Venmo/Paypal *We do not allow any harvesting of campfire wood or burning of our property outside of the designated fire ring. We use any downed wood on our property for our family to keep warm and to cut and split ourselves to sell to our guest. A “full nights worth” of campfire wood is roughly a 3 x 2 stacked pile of wood keeping you warm all night. Please let us know ahead so we can prepare it for you
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$67
 / night

100 Acre Wood

100%
(135)
46mi from Grayson Highlands State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Draper, VA
101 Acres of forested land in the Draper, Virginia area with scattered clearings that are connected by over 2 miles of cleared roads throughout the property, which are perfect for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. The property includes a very small creek, several ravines, ridge lines and trails to explore. We frequently encounter deer, rabbits, squirrels, and the occasional turkey, black bear, coyotes and Bigfoot. The thing people seem to enjoy most is the privacy and and quiet that allows you to connect with nature. Each of the 3 sites is hundreds of yards away from each other. Note: there is no bathroom on the premises, however you can book a toilet tent as an extra. 4 Wheel Drive or All wheel drive are helpful during the winter months if there has been a lot of rain or snow/ice. Things to watch out for are deer ticks and poison ivy. Campers are expected to leave the site neat and take all their trash with them. We are located about 5 minutes from I-81 or 15 minutes from I-77 making it an easy place to stop when passing through on your way to other adventures. If you are coming on I-81, use exit 89-A. Don't let Google maps take you to Frog Level Ct near the town of Pulaski (LOL). Nearby attractions include Appalachian Gem and Gold Mine on Route 100 (5 min), New River Trail State Park (10 min), Claytor Lake State Park (20 min) and the Town of Draper has a couple small town shops to explore including The Draper Mercantile and Trading Company and the newly opened Conery where you can get wonderful ice cream cones and more. Also, check out the Draper Mountain overlook on Rt 11, just 10 minutes from our HipCamp. We love hosting campers and are happy to help make accommodations to help you have an enjoyable stay. We have 3 sites but only allow 2 to be in use at a time on the property. This insures that all guests continue to feel complete privacy from others and allows us to always have an alternate site available if campers want to change. Available "Extras" include portable toilet setup, Woodshop class making a cutting board, Bigfoot sitings as well as various camping gear items and games. If there are other extra's you would like to see or something you forgot to bring please let us know and we will see what we can do.
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from 
$36
 / night

Plumtree Campground Tents & Cabins

98%
(172)
49mi from Grayson Highlands State Park · 22 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Newland, NC
Plumtree Campground and Retreat is an off-the-beaten-path property for hikers, bikers (both pedal and motor), campers, adventurers, parkway goers, mountain lovers, fisherman, and skiers/snowboarders.Learn more about this land:Plumtree Campground and Retreat is an off-the-beaten-path property for hikers, bikers (both pedal and motor), campers, adventurers, parkway goers, mountain lovers, fisherman, and skiers/snowboarders.The property is the former Blind Squirrel Campground which included a zip line recreation area. Relics remain, with zip lines and bridges still running through the tree canopy and an old climbing wall. These aren’t currently in use, and cannot be explored, but they add a wonderland-like quality to the land. Other features also remain that can be used: a sliding rock waterfall which is a short hike within the campground property, moderate trails for hiking, and mountain biking running from the waterfall through the back of the property (these trails are mountainous, so please enter at your own risk), fruit trees, blueberry bushes, small trout pond, a playground, an open meadow for star gazing, and our friendly neighborhood duck, Howard. (He hangs by the pond and accepts treats!) You are welcome to explore all these features, but please be mindful and respectful of residents and guests, do not enter or explore the greenhouses or gardens, and remain aware that this is mountainous terrain with inherent risks.This is a rustic property in the forest, centrally located to all the area has to offer. Privately run, we offer a variety of lodging options:- Seasonal and daily camping with full hook up RV sites- Popup sites, tent sites with water and electric- Group tent site with pavilion- Primitive tent sites- Primitive cabins (no electricity/water)- Lodge with four bedrooms/bath- Cabin with a two-bedroom/bath among the trees- Cabin with a one-bedroom/bath pond side- Studio apartments. Four available. Includes one bedroom/bath Campsites include a fire pit, picnic table, and electric/water/sewer depending on the site. There are 5 tent sites boasting elevated tent platforms nestled against the mountain. Sites are generally mossy, treed (think hammocks!), and have gravel parking. There are 3 his and her bathhouses on the property with the largest within walking distance of the tent loop, with 2 toilets and 3 stall showers each.This corner of the world has so much to offer and we are close, but just far away enough from it all. The scenic drives alone are worth venturing out:- Blue Ridge Parkway- Linville Falls- Linville Caverns- Grandfather Mountain- Beech Mt Ski Slope/Rec area- Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park- Sugar Mt Ski Slope/Rec area- Roan Mt State Park- Appalachian Trail- Yellow Mountain Gap Trail Head- North Toe River- Banner Elk- Little Switzerland- Mayland Dark Sky Observatory- Brown Mountain OHV Trail SystemAll these adventures within a 20-40-minute drive. Boone is only 50 minutes away, and Asheville 1 hr. 20 minutes.Off HWY 19-E is Spears Country Store, about 5 minutes from here, where you can get basic supplies, propane, and gas. We can also provide firewood for a fee. Ingles grocery stores in both Newland and Spruce Pine are just 20 minutes away. In Spruce Pine you will also find a Walmart, historic downtown with many shops and restaurants. Be aware cell service can be spotty in the area depending on your carrier. WIFI is offered, but not guaranteed due to the mountainous terrain. One of the joys of being deep in the mountains, true disconnection from the everyday!3 night minimum required for holiday weekends.Plumtree Campground & Retreat913 Big Plumtree Creek RoadNewland, NC 28657
Pets
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from 
$25
 / night

Secluded Mitchel River Camping

95%
(128)
42mi from Grayson Highlands State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Elkin, NC
This land was once owned by Noah Hays himself. He was the main farmer on this land along with other farming land on this road. Hints the name "Noah Hays Road". We stopped farming this land long ago but some of his relatives are still farming on the land he use to farm on. You will see one of his old plots still being farmed across the street from our property. There is still the old cabin he use to live in along with an old curing barn they use to hang the tobacco in after harvest. Supper cool!Learn more about this land:This is a new listing.Nestled in the foothills of North Carolina is a majestic and peaceful plot of land that sits beside the south fork of the Mitchel River and; on the other side, a steep hillside of security covered in luscious wooded hardwood and pine. Engulfed in the sights and sounds of pure nature; expect wildlife encounters, frolicking through the fields, and a light show from the stars like never before.Come for a night or bring the family for an extended get away.The spaceThe space is equipped for dry camping with a outhouse on site for bathroom procedures.The parking pad can accommodate most A class RV's with a length and width of 38 by 10 foot. The extended patio protrudes another 8 foot in the front and on the back side of the pad is another 5 foot providing plenty of room for roll out space for your bed/kitchen, living space.We have a beautiful fire pit with a grate attached and a patio table that you are welcome to move around to your liking during your stay.The field on the left and right of the parking spot is grassy and fairly flat making a great place for recreational activities and even setting up a few extra tents.The river sits parallel with the site that have a easily walk down to the rivers edge.For any other questions feel free to message me.
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from 
$20
 / night

Mother Earth, hot tub, pet friendly

100%
(24)
42mi from Grayson Highlands State Park · 1 site · Lodging · Fancy Gap, VA
Mother Earth is 3 miles from I-77, exit #8, 3 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The yurt is 15 mins from Mt Airy NC which is a destination for outdoors activities, wineries, breweries, and has a gorgeous downtown area. Fancy Gap is famous for the BRPW, hiking, mountain biking, and all types of outdoor activities. Mother Earth has a walk in shower, soaking tub, bluetooth music, wifi, and a hot tub. a full kitchen and washer and dryer. I provide all your paper products, coffees, creamer, sugar, shower products and more. it’s in a wooded area with nice views and wildlife in abundance. This yurt is comfortable all year long with a minisplit for heat and air conditioning, and a propane fireplace. This yurt has easy access and parking right in front. The deck is gated for toddlers and pets. Check out the secluded porch swing underneath. Our pet fee is an additional $25 left on the counter. Stargazing is at its best here, and lots of back roads to walk and explore. Check out Beamers Knob for a gorgeous long range view, about a mile from the yurt. It’s breathtaking! This yurt also has a generator to keep things going, in case of a power failure due to inclement weather.
Pets
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from 
$129
 / night

Other options near Grayson Highlands State Park

The best camping in Grayson Highlands State Park, VA guide

Overview

About

Craggy peaks, mountain valleys, and waterfalls tempt hikers and horseback riders to Grayson Highlands State Park. Seasoned hikers can summit Mount Rogers—Virginia’s highest peak—or tackle part of the Appalachian Trail, but 13 short trails also run through the park. Bouldering is equally popular with more than 700 climbing routes, and you can also explore horse trails, fish for wild trout in the creeks, and seefree-roaming herds of wild ponies. Backcountry camping isn’t permitted, but the main campground at Hickory Ridge has standard and electric hookup sites, and there’s also a horse camp, bunkhouse, and yurts. 

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve one of the park’s 72 campsites, 24 horse sites, and four yurts online.
  2. Campsite reservations open 11 months in advance and must be made one day before arrival.
  3. Campsites can book up fast, so you should iam to book a minimum of three months in advance.

When to go

Peak season at Grayson Highlands State Park is mid-May through mid-October, and this is the most popular time to hike and boulder. Full-service camping is only available during this period, while primitive camping is possible in shoulder season (March, April, and November). No winter camping is available. Time your visit for one of the park’s summer music festivals: Wayne Henderson Festival (June), Albert Hash Memorial Festival (Labor Day weekend), or Grayson Highlands Fall Festival (end of September). 

Know before you go

  • Grayson Highlands State Park is set along US 58, 25 miles west of Independence and 26 miles east of Damascus.
  • Day-use parking fees and camping reservation fees are charged at Grayson Highlands. State fishing licences and equestrian permits are also required.
  • Facilities include a visitor center, country store, restrooms, and picnic areas. Facilities are minimal in the off-season, so bring everything you need with you, including drinking water.
  • Cell phone service is patchy but emergency coverage is provided, so keep your cell phone charged. 
  • Do not attempt to pet, feed, or interact with the park’s wild ponies. They can bite and kick, and human food can cause colic.
  • Accessible campsites, restrooms, and picnic areas are available at Grayson Highlands State Park. 
100%
37 ratings · 4 reviews

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