Welcome to Grindstone Campground
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
3714 Highway 16
Marion Virginia, 24354
Grindstone Campground is a large campsite nestled
in Mount
Rogers National Recreation Area. Grindstone is in Fairwood
Valley, with pastures and wooded hillsides. The valley is known
for outstanding trout fishing in Fox Creek. This site offers
shower facilities, flush toilets, drinking water, dump station,
swimming area, and an amphitheater. 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 I-81 southbound take exit 45 at Marion onto State
Route 16 south. Follow SR 16 for 17 miles; turn right onto SR
603 at Troutdale, and proceed west for approximately 6 miles
to the campground entrance on the left.
From I-81 northbound take exit 35 at Chilhowie,
turn right onto SR 742 which turns into SR 600. After crossing
Iron Mountain, turn left onto SR 603 and drive approximately
3 miles; turn right into Grindstone entrance. (This exit not
recommended for trailers.)
View
Map and Driving Directions
Dates Open: April 15 - November 28
Phone: (540) 783-5196
Toll Free: (800) 628-7202
