The best camping near Grayson Highlands State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Grayson Highlands State Park adventure.

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Along with hiking and bouldering, these rocky mountains host wild ponies and live music festivals.

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Community favorites near Grayson Highlands State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Grayson Highlands State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Grayson Highlands State Park

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Blue Bear Mountain Camp

46 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents150 acres · 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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Blue Ridge Ranch

21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents440 acres · Ferguson, NC

Blue Ridge Ranch, established in December of 2020, is located on 440 acres nestled between two mountain ridges in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The property features an established pasture, mountain ridges, barns, and a homestead. In addition, the ranch is home to five ponds (some stocked and one trophy), more than a mile of trout streams, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Together, they provide the perfect foundation for the establishment of farming, livestock, camping, and community events. All profits of Blue Ridge Ranch go to Hope for His Children, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that conducts youth camps at the ranch. Tours of the ranch are available for $10/person (to offset fuel expense) and includes interaction with some farm animals. We pride ourselves in doing everything possible to help our guests have a great experience. We offer coffee during morning hours in our farm store! We are sorry, but we are not able to allow guests to bring ATV's and motorcycles to operate on the property. There are many acres of hay that we must protect and our agritourism insurer does not allow guests to operate ATV's and motorcycles on property.

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Rivers Edge Trail Camp

7 sites · RVs5 acres · 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. 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, or kayak 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 tent sites at the present time. 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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OnTop.camp - NW NC Ashe Co

5 sites · Tents100 acres · Jefferson, NC

www.ontop.camp STATUS of OT DOT CAMP 10.09.2024 All is well! A few ruts and downed trees is all. You’re welcome to come enjoy the mountain with us! Feel free to message me with any questions. October - Gold, Purple, Gold, Blue... wild flowers are making a show. The seasons are shifting. Since the hurricane the leaves started their change. It’s here! Share the open air and space with us. Welcome! 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 OnTop.camp

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Dark Ridge Hide Out (Adults Only)

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Elk Park, NC

"Adults only" doesn't mean anything other than just "no children", so as to preserve the natural peace and quiet, and assurance that there won't be loud and unruly children on the property. Inquiries and booking requests received after 9: pm may not be answered until the next morning. Dark Ridge Hide Out, is a 20 acre parcel in the Blue Ridge Mountain's on the back side of the Beech Mt Ski Resort in a secluded quiet and safe community with less than a dozen homes in a one mile radius. Away from light and sound pollution. Except for an occasional passing vehicle "and often none at all from 10pm to 6am" all you will hear is the sound of the creek which runs through the lower section by the RV sites, cricket's and frogs at the nearby fish pond and only the light from the moon and star's in the clear mountain sky and fire flies. It is my home place with a tobacco barn and a big combination cattle/tobacco barn built almost entirely just by my Mom and Dad in early 1940"s. My parents and grand parents lived off of the land here and raised cash crops like cabbage, corn and tobacco, we also raised sugar cane and made molasses, we had free range chickens, as many as 50 honey bee hives and over 50 head of cattle, two or three hog's and of course a horse. There was four main fields; two for cow pasture, one meadow to grow hay "now Christmas trees" and the main one on my part where all crops were grown is where the camp sites are. I grew up helping with the crops and other farm chores, one was to go to the pasture and bring the milk cows in and do the milking every day before and after school, feed the hogs and chickens, gather the egg's, let the chickens out in the morning and close the chicken house in the evening to protect them from critters like opossums, raccoons and wildcats. This is where I grew up, my dad grew up and, near where my mother and both of my grandparents grew up. My house was built in 1905 the same year my dad was born. The campsites are on my 20 acre section section of the original 82 acres with the house and barns, the remainder went to my brother but now is out of the family. The section of Elk River with the Compression Falls "45 ft high" and Twisting Falls which is part of Pisgah National Forest is less than two miles from here, and an old logging road going around the mountain above the river for about three miles to another Falls "Elk River Falls, 65 ft high" is a great place to hike or mountain bike. You will be free to explore and hike any part of my property except the house and out building's. The pond's are full of Trout and Blue Gill fish that are like pet's they love little pieces of bread. You can feed the fish but no fishing.

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Eden Oaks Vineyard & Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · 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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New River Ridge

1 site · RV, Tent14 acres · Lansing, NC

Escape to New River Ridge, a stunning 14-acre retreat nestled atop a wooded ridge just 20 minutes from bustling West Jefferson, NC. Here, you'll be enveloped by breathtaking long-range mountain views and the serene beauty of nature, making it the perfect getaway for peace and relaxation. Our property features a flat, open ridge and a dedicated deck with comfy adirondack chairs and a cozy fire pit perfectly positioned for enjoying beautiful sunrises, mountain views, fall colors and evenings under the stars. Whether you’re sharing stories, making s'mores, or just reflecting on the beauty of Mother Nature, this spot is designed for unforgettable moments. Experience the beauty of sunrise over the mountains each morning, and enjoy the privacy and tranquility that our expansive grounds offer. Just a short drive away, you can indulge in a variety of outdoor activities: fish or kayak on the pristine North Fork New River or Helton Creek just seconds away. Hike in the stunning Grayson Highlands State Park just across the Virginia line, or explore the iconic Appalachian Trail. Check out the Virginia Creeper Trail, a historic railroad turned biking trail, for an epic cruise down a mountain. Pop down to the iconic, small town main street of Jefferson Ave. in West Jefferson to visit local coffee and retail shops, restaurants, outfitters and breweries. At New River Ridge, you’ll find the perfect blend of natural beauty, privacy, and proximity to incredible attractions. Come and create lasting memories in this picturesque mountain paradise!

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Loafers Joy Meadow

3 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Zionville, NC

10/9/2024 NOTICE: We had some damage to our road due to Hurricane Helene that made it impassable. We have since repaired and opened the road, but there are still some remaining rough areas. Up near the tobacco barn there is a very small creek that is flowing across the road because the existing culvert is plugged. The flowing water is only a few inches deep. The road is easily passable by passenger vehicles and RV's up to 28ft. If you are coming in with a low clearance vehicle and have concerns, please contact us. Our site was once part of a much larger farm growing tobacco and raising cattle and other farm animals. The existing tobacco barn was built in the early 1960's. The concrete pad used for RV camping was used to store silage for the cows. The non-potable water source is a mountain spring that has been used on the farm since the 1930's. While many tobacco barns in the area have been torn down for their rusted tin roofing and rustic siding, we have worked to restore the barn and preserve its history.

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Stormbrew Farm

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Abingdon, VA

Nestled in the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia, , hens, ducks, bees, Great Pyrenees, and cats pastorally roam over 18 acres of rolling farmland and forest. Experience our favorite parts of Stormbrew Farm through a primitive camping experience. Learn more about this land:An agrarian dream- a literal field of possibility. With 18 acres to choose from you may find yourself sleeping along the lazy Fifteenmile Creek, atop a hill under Virginia stars, or even set up with pastoral views of hens and Great Pyrenees dogs. The roadfront side of our property offers level terrain for pull-behind trailers, while vehicles (preferably 4WD) and tent campers can travel all the way back to the creek. Feeling froggy? Ford the stream and camp in the large field on the other side. Be sure to mind the animals and fields, as this is a working farm. One mile down the road from the farm is the Virginia Creeper Trail, renowned for biking, but as a multi-use trail, you can also enjoy walking, running, horseback riding, fishing, cross country skiing, and geocaching. South Holston Lake is only minutes away by vehicle, with two public access boating ramps 10 to 20 minutes away. For a drink by the water, head to Abingdon Vineyards- only 10 minutes away. Access to the Appalachian Trail is only 20 minutes away in Damascus. We became caretakers of this lovely property in June of 2021, moving from our existing farm, 45 minutes away. When we got it, it was a blank slate of a hayfield, and we have spent the summer laying infrastructure so that we may grow our cut-flower, honey, and vegetable business.

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100 Acre Wood

3 sites · RVs, Tents101 acres · Draper, VA

100 Acres of forested land in the Draper, Virginia area with scattered clearings that are connected by various roads/trails throughout. Over the years cutting roads has been a hobby that has resulted in miles of cleared pathways throughout the property that are perfect for hiking, running, cycling, and horseback riding. The property includes a small stream, 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 with no one else around. Things to watch out for other than the wildlife mentioned above the two main concerns in this part of Virginia are deer ticks and poison ivy. 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. 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, big foot siting's 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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Mountain Farm Camping & Glamping

33 sites · Lodging, Tents200 acres · Moravian Falls, NC

Nestled in North Carolina's Brushy Mountains, Growing Faith Farms & Retreat offers a tranquil escape from modern life, just 90 minutes from Charlotte. Perched atop the mountain, our retreat overlooks vast stretches of mountaintops, rolling hills, and verdant landscapes. Here, we cultivate more than just crops; we nurture a profound sense of tranquility and community. Our space is designed to encourage guests to pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the beauty and simplicity of nature. Our campsites provide a variety of camping options, from predefined sites to walk-in spots throughout our expansive 200-acre mountain. You can choose to camp by the creek, in a sunny field, or deep in the woods. In 2024, we introduced our private Shower House, featuring three fully equipped bathrooms with showers, sinks, and toilets, plus heating and air conditioning. We also offer pre-furnished bell tents, camping platforms, and at site water and electricity (select sites) for your convenience. If you want to immerse yourself in outdoor camping without sacrificing the comforts of home, our glamping tent features a queen-size bed with linens, as well as a twin bed that converts into a second bed for added convenience. Stay cozy with a heated indoor wood stove, and enjoy a kitchen table, dresser, and chair for your convenience. You'll also have access to a private bathroom complete with a fully functioning toilet, indoor/outdoor hot shower, and sink. Outside, a private covered kitchen awaits, equipped with a kitchen sink, cooler, pots and pans and cooking utensils. Relax in your lounge chairs on the porch and take in the views, and indulge in outdoor cooking with a gas grill, picnic table, and outdoor fire pit area. During your stay at our farm, guests can unwind amidst natural surroundings, visit with our animals, enjoy on farm activities and explore the wide variety of local attractions that the surrounding area has to offer. Just 30 minutes west, you’ll find the Blue Ridge Parkway. Kerr Scott Lake is only 10 minutes away, where you can swim, rent kayaks and pontoon boats, fish, or enjoy mountain biking and hiking on extensive trails. Prayer Mountain is about 2 miles up the road. To the east, explore several wineries and a local moonshine distillery. A half-hour away, visit the Amish community with shops like Shiloh Bakery and General Store (closed Sundays and Mondays). For fantastic hiking, head northeast to Stone Mountain, about 45 minutes away, which also features a renovated homestead. To the south, Rocky Face Park offers hiking and rock climbing, while Emerald Hollow Mine allows you to search for and keep precious stones. There are always concerts, movies and festivals happening in the area too for entertainment. Check the activities section below for more details!

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Parker Farms

16 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · North Wilkesboro, NC

This property is part of a working family farm established in 1900. The farm is currently a beef cattle operation giving campers the opportunity to see a working farm. There are 2 ponds on the property available for fishing and paddling. Given the area the farm covers campers will have peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle. For NASCAR fans, the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway is within walking distance. If you can't occupy your time here we're within 10 minutes of many local attractions. Wilkes also hosts festivals like; MerleFest, Apple Festival, and Peach Festival. This area is home to many Peach and Apple Orchards one personal favorite is Tevepaugh Orchards. And if the local attractions don't suffice the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone and Blowing Rock are all within an hour.

The best camping near Grayson Highlands State Park 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

You can reserve one of the park’s 72 campsites, 24 horse sites, and four yurts online.
Campsite reservations open 11 months in advance and must be made one day before arrival.
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.