Rocky Knob Campground campground
Asheville, North Carolina

Rocky Knob Campground

Mostly first-come
109 campsites
Open in maps

109

Total Campsites

Campground

Reservable Sites

Mostly first-come

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Rocky Knob Campground

Overview Located on the famous Blue Ridge Parkway in the hills of rural Virginia, Rocky Knob Campground is nestled amid rolling meadowlands with impressive displays of seasonal flowers, endless night skies and green pastures. Numerous nearby overlooks and the winding parkway provide an ideal backdrop for a traditional camping experience. Recreation The campground is located in the Rocky Knob Recreation area, surrounded by more than 4,000 acres of forest. The site offers easy access to the Rock Castle Gorge Trail , a 10.8-mile (17.4 km) loop trail ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 3,572 feet (518 to 1,089 m). Rock Castle Gorge, a 1,500-foot (457 m) ravine carved by the waters of Rock Castle Creek, is the focal point of this trail, offering hikers breathtaking scenery. Black Ridge Trail : a moderate 3-mile loop passing through the forest on a seldom-used gravel road and through a meadow. Accessed from the Rocky Knob Visitor Center. Numerous tours and interpretive talks are given near the Gorge and surrounding trails during the summer, offering campers the chance to learn more about the area's historical significance and abundant plants and wildlife. Facilities The campground is located in the Rocky Knob Recreation area, surrounded by more than 4,000 acres of forest. The site offers easy access to the Rock Castle Gorge Trail , a 10.8-mile (17.4 km) loop trail ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 3,572 feet (518 to 1,089 m). Rock Castle Gorge, a 1,500-foot (457 m) ravine carved by the waters of Rock Castle Creek, is the focal point of this trail, offering hikers breathtaking scenery. Black Ridge Trail : a moderate 3-mile loop passing through the forest on a seldom-used gravel road and through a meadow. Accessed from the Rocky Knob Visitor Center. Numerous tours and interpretive talks are given near the Gorge and surrounding trails during the summer, offering campers the chance to learn more about the area's historical significance and abundant plants and wildlife. Natural Features The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that stretches almost 500 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia. It offers plenty of natural attractions and recreational opportunities for visitors, as well as a cross-section of Appalachian mountain history from pre-historic times to early European settlements, and on to today. Rocky Knob Campground, one of the first established sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway, is home to several famous geological attractions. Rock Castle Gorge, known for its beautiful rock crystalline quartz formations, was once home to several mountain families. Visitors can still find remnants of their old apple orchards and abandoned stone chimneys along parkway trails. Nearby Attractions The nearby town of Floyd offers entertainment, shopping, food, gas and lodging. There are also multiple wineries nearby that offer tours and tastings. Visit Mabry Mill at milepost 176 near Meadows of Dan, Virginia. The campground is about 30 miles from Mount Airy, North Carolina , the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the fictional TV-series town of Mayberry. Mount Airy also offers grocery stores, gas stations and medical facilities.

  • 109 total campsites listed.
  • Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
  • Most common site type: unknown (109).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Rocky Knob Campground photo 2
Rocky Knob Campground photo 3

Our Take

What makes Rocky Knob Campground special

Resting high along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, Rocky Knob Campground invites travelers into a landscape shaped by centuries of wind, weather, and wonder. Rolling meadows spill out in every direction, dotted with seasonal wildflowers that paint the hillsides in waves of purple, gold, and white from late spring through early autumn. The campground sits at an elevation where the air carries a clean, cool edge even on summer afternoons, and nightfall reveals some of the darkest, most star-filled skies on the eastern seaboard. Hiking trails radiate from camp into the surrounding backcountry, including paths that descend through hardwood forests into Rock Castle Gorge, a rugged canyon rich with Appalachian history and biodiversity. Birdwatchers, photographers, and wildflower enthusiasts will find endless inspiration here, while cyclists can pedal scenic stretches of the Parkway with views that rival any road in America. The best months to visit are May through October, when the meadows are alive with color and the famous fall foliage transforms the mountains into a mosaic of red, orange, and amber. Rocky Knob Campground is perfect for contemplative solo travelers, couples on a Parkway road trip, and families who want their children to experience the timeless beauty of the southern Appalachians.

Campsite Inventory

109 sites to choose from

Unknown

109total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Check-in time

3:00 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

Condition Rating

N/A

Driveway entry

Back-In, N/A, Pull-Through

Driveway Grade

Moderate, N/A, Slight

Driveway length (ft)

17, 18, 19, 20

Driveway surface

Paved

FOOD STORAGE LOCKER

Food Storage Locker

GRILLS

Grills, Yes

Grills/Fire Ring

Grills/Fire Ring

LANTERN POSTS

Lantern Posts

Max guests

20, 6

Max vehicle length (ft)

13, 14, 15, 16

Minimum guests

Yes

PICNIC TABLES

Picnic Tables

Pets allowed

Yes

Picnic Table

Picnic Table, Yes

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mostly first-come

Phone

540-745-9664 (MAY - OCTOBER)

Getting There

Rocky Knob Campground is located at Milepost 167.1 on Blue Ridge Parkway, 1.8 miles south of the intersection of the Parkway and State Route 8, about 8 miles (13 km) from the town of Floyd, or about 90 minutes south of Roanoke by car. Visitors are advised that directions from resources like Google Maps and GPS devices are not always correct and should be double-checked.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Rocky Knob Campground.

How do reservations work for Rocky Knob Campground?

Reservation availability for Rocky Knob Campground can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Rocky Knob Campground?

Rocky Knob Campground currently lists Unknown (109).

Where is Rocky Knob Campground located?

Rocky Knob Campground is in North Carolina near Asheville. Coordinates: 36.8314, -80.3444.

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