Grayson Highlands State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Perched high in the Virginian Appalachians, nestled within the George Washington and Jefferson National Park, you’ll find Grayson Highlands State Park — home to grassy balds and mountain meadows, peaks soaring 5,000 feet tall, herds of wild ponies, and streams surrounded by rhododendron and hardwoods. Opened in 1965 as an access point to Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest peak, and the Appalachian Trail, Grayson Highlands State Park attracts thousands of visitors each year and is a popular destination for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and bouldering.
As winters are cold and harsh, early May through late October is the best time of year to visit Grayson Highlands State Park. During this timeframe, the park sponsors a variety of programs including music festivals, wild pony hikes, s’mores making, woodworking demonstrations, star gazing, and adventure programs. Whether traveling solo, with a group of friends, or with your family, there are activities for everyone to enjoy at Grayson Highlands State Park. Plus, with breathtaking views, awesome hiking trails, and the occasional wild pony, what’s not to love? Read more about where to eat, sleep, and play if you decide to make Grayson Highlands State Park your next travel destination.
Spring 46-65 F
Summer 63-80 F
Fall 47-65 F
Winter 31-47 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Grayson Highlands State Park
There are campgrounds galore in and around Grayson Highlands State Park, providing you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. If tent camping is too rustic and staying in a yurt is not appealing, then consider renting an RV and you won’t have to sacrifice comfort or amenities, no matter your budget. RVShare makes it simple to find and rent an RV catered to your preferences, either in your area or near your travel destination. Close to Grayson Highlands State Park, you can find RVs in Roanoke, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem. Here are three campgrounds to consider for your stay:
Grayson Highlands State Park Campgrounds
With beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor adventure to be had, staying at the campground of Grayson Highlands State Park is an easy, inexpensive way to experience all the park has to offer. The campgrounds have 36 RV sites with water and electric hookups, plus an additional 23 RV sites for visitors with horses. From May to November. rates are $40 per night ($35 for Virginia residents).
Pro tip : Reserve your RV spot at least 30 days in advance as they fill up quickly, especially in the summer.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wifi: No
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Bathhouse, picnic tables, fire pit, camp store, dumping station, hiking, horseback riding, bouldering, fishing, boating, hunting, visitor center, gift shop, amphitheater
Grindstone Recreation Area Campground
Located on the other side of Mount Rogers in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, these campgrounds adjoin Grayson Highlands State Park to the north and have 53 reservable sites for tent and RV camping. Have fun splashing in the creek, bird watching in the wilderness, or hiking the Mount Rogers Trail and other scenic trails. From April to November, rates are $32 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wifi: No
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Showers, flush toilets, fire pits, picnic tables, playground, amphitheater, volleyball courts, swimming, hiking, fishing, biking, dump station
New River Campground
Situated on the New River near Independence, Virginia, this campground offers a peaceful retreat with scenic river views and shaded, grassy RV sites. Head to the mountains for a hike or stay on-site where you can go for a dip in the water, take a guided canoe tour, or tube down the river. Rates are $29-$33 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wifi: No
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Bathhouses, camp store, picnic shelters, fire pits, playground, tubing, fishing, swimming, canoeing, tube and canoe rentals
What to Do at
Grayson Highlands State Park
Inside Grayson Highlands State Park
Boasting panoramic views, scenic trails, and exposed rocks, there’s something for everyone at Grayson Highlands State Park. Hikers and bikers are drawn to the park for its stunning views of mountain tops including Virginia’s tallest peaks, Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain. Easy-to-moderate trails will allow less serious hikers the opportunity to experience the park in smaller doses. On the trails, you’ll likely encounter wild ponies, which were introduced in 1974 to prevent reforestation of the highland balds.
Recreational activities aside, the park has numerous nature and history programs from stargazing and weaving demonstrations to s’mores nights and wild pony hikes. The park also hosts several music festivals during the year, most notably the Wayne Henderson Festival.
Here are more details on popular park activities:
Hiking - Thirteen trails weave throughout the park, plus others that lead outside the park. Trails range in length and difficulty and feature breathtaking overlooks, amazing waterfalls, and diverse plant life. One recommended trail is the Rhododendron Trail, which connects to the Appalachian Trail and takes you toward Mount Rogers.
Bouldering - The park’s unique geology and mountainous slopes make it well suited for bouldering. In fact, it is known as Virginia’s best bouldering site! There are 700+ climbing routes over four main boulder fields and three smaller fields. Popular climbing sites include the Listening Rock Trail and Highlands Bouldering Area. Climbers can rent crash pads, if needed.
Fishing and Boating - Nearly 10 miles of streams lie within the park, providing anglers the chance to fish for native brook and wild rainbow trout (with a permit, of course) and take in the scenery. During the summer, the park offers a 6-mile guided canoe trip on the crisp, clear waters of the New River.
How to Get to
Grayson Highlands State Park
Grayson Highlands State Park is located in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, midway between the towns of Independence and Damascus.
From Interstate 81, take exit 45 at Marion and then turn south onto Route 16. Drive 24 miles until US 58 in the community of Volney. Turn right onto US 58 and drive 8 miles before reaching the park’s entrance.
Address : 829 Grayson Highland Lane, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363
Entering Grayson Highlands State Park
The park is open every day from 8am until 10pm.
Grayson Highlands State Park Per vehicle : $7.0
Weekdays
Grayson Highlands State Park Per vehicle : $10.0
Weekends
Grayson Highlands State Park is an outdoor lover’s playground, so get out there and enjoy yourself! We wish you happy RV camping and don’t hesitate to reach out to us at RVShare with any fun trip stories and photos by tagging us on social media or emailing us at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions About Grayson Highlands State Park
The climate is cool and moist with average temperatures ranging from 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit. The park experiences all four seasons, but the winters are relatively mild. Precipitation is plentiful with an average of 50 inches of rain and snowfall each year.
The best time to visit Grayson Highlands State Park is from mid-April to early June or from late September to mid-October. These months offer the most pleasant weather with moderate temperatures and little precipitation. However, the park is also beautiful when covered in snow.
You must reserve a camping spot in advance for $15 per night. You can make a reservation by calling the park office or visiting its website.
Yes, pets are allowed at Grayson Highlands State Park. However, they must always be kept on a leash, and they are not permitted on trails or in the backcountry. Pets are also not allowed in the park office, visitor center, or group camping areas.
Grayson Highlands State Park is home to various wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and ruffed grouse. You may also see a variety of songbirds, hawks, and other birds of prey. In addition, the park is home to a herd of wild ponies.