Grindstone Campground

Description

Elevation: 3702 ft.

Grindstone Campground is a large campsite, nestled in the Mount Rogers National Recreational Area. This site offers shower facilities, flush toilets, drinking water, dump station, swimming area, and an amphitheatre. Interpretive programs are offered seasonally and two hiking trails that interconnect with other area trails can be accessed from this site. It is approximately 6.0 miles along the Mount Rogers Trail to Virginia’s highest peak. The Whispering Waters Trail is a short 0.6-mile loop that meanders through moist, mixed deciduous woodlands. In the woodlands surrounding this campground, especially along the trails, are ample opportunities to see wildlife. Visitors may find several kinds of warblers, least flycatcher, wood thrush, and along the creek, Louisiana waterthrush. During migration, this area can be filled with songbird activity. These moist woodlands and creeks are also wonderful places to spy other wildlife. Yellow-bellied sapsucker nest within the campground area. Salamander diversity can be amazing here; look for black-bellied, mountain dusky, northern spring, and red-backed salamanders. The campground trails are popular among naturalists who enjoy spending their days hiking the Mount Rogers National Recreational Area trails. While this is a large campsite, accommodating up to 100 families, reservations should be made in advance.

Directions

From Rt. 603/Fairwood, travel west 2.2 miles to Grindstone Campground on the left.