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.
Wildlife Sightings
107 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Grindstone Campground:
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Blue-headed Vireo
- Red-eyed Vireo
- American Crow
- Common Raven
- Tufted Titmouse
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Gray Catbird
- Veery
- American Robin
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 2026 | 20 | Lynn Barlow |
| 10 May 2026 | 20 | Michael Faw |
| 10 May 2026 | 20 | Allen Boynton |
| 10 May 2026 | 20 | Monica Hoel |
| 10 May 2026 | 20 | Marsha Pate |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
Other Amenities: Camping/Lodging, Hiking Trails, Interpretive Program/Events
Accessibility Considerations
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
From Rt. 603/Fairwood, travel west 2.2 miles to Grindstone Campground on the left.
Site Information
Managed By:
- National Park Service
Access Requirements:
- Daily, sunrise-sunset; admission fee required for camping
Contact Information:
- US Forest Service Mount Rogers National Recreation Area District Office, 276-783-5196, sm.fs.mrnra@usda.gov
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.


