Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

3 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Rocky Knob Recreational Area (Blue Ridge Parkway) site

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Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Rocky Knob Recreational Area (Blue Ridge Parkway) site

Get Directions

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Provider

(828) 276-2300

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Based on 3 reviews

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Best Time to Camp at Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

The gorge transforms with each season, offering year-round opportunities for adventurous campers. Summer brings warm, humid days perfect for creek-side relaxation, with temperatures climbing from the pleasant low 70s to the upper 80s. Winter paints a different picture entirely—crisp daytime temperatures hover between 30 and 50 degrees, while nights can dip well below freezing, creating a stark and beautiful mountain landscape for those prepared for true backcountry conditions.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Year-round

About Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

Tucked away in the heart of Rocky Knob's wilderness, Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground offers an authentic escape into the Blue Ridge Mountains. This primitive, year-round retreat features eight secluded campsites complete with fire rings, bear-proof food lockers, and a portable toilet, all nestled beside the babbling waters of Rock Castle Creek where multiple trails radiate outward from half-mile strolls to challenging eight-mile adventures.

A primitive, backcountry campground in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The site is year-round and contains eight primitive campsites accessed via trail.

Weather and SeasonsThe gorge transforms with each season, offering year-round opportunities for adventurous campers. Summer brings warm, humid days perfect for creek-side relaxation, with temperatures climbing from the pleasant low 70s to the upper 80s. Winter paints a different picture entirely—crisp daytime temperatures hover between 30 and 50 degrees, while nights can dip well below freezing, creating a stark and beautiful mountain landscape for those prepared for true backcountry conditions.

ElevationThe trail winds through varying elevations, rewarding your climb with sweeping panoramic views from upper ridgelines. These elevated vantage points offer breathtaking overlooks where you can watch the mountains roll endlessly toward the horizon.

Natural Features and SceneryRock Castle Gorge reveals the raw beauty of the Blue Ridge in all its untamed glory. Ancient forests blanket steep mountain ridges, giving way to dramatic bare rock outcrops that reward hikers with sweeping vistas across layered mountain ranges. Spring awakens the forest floor with carpets of wildflowers and blooming rhododendrons, while Rock Castle Creek and Little Rock Castle Creek thread through the gorge alongside countless tributary streams, their constant song accompanying you throughout this rugged wilderness. The upper trail elevations offer those willing to climb some of the most spectacular long-distance views in the Rocky Knob area.

Geological RegionRocky Knob Recreational Area, Blue Ridge Parkway

Campsite details

Sites PrivacyEight campsites; sites are shaded and adjacent to Rock Castle Creek; each site includes a food storage locker.

Total Campsites8 campsites

Recommended CampsitesPack and carry your own drinking water. Each campsite includes a food storage locker — use lockers to secure food from wildlife. Access the sites from the SR 605 parking area or from multiple Blue Ridge Parkway trailhead/overlook parking areas (see driving directions).

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutPrimitive/backcountry sites; each site has a fire ring/pad and a food storage locker. A portable toilet serves the campground and there is plentiful shade.

Open and Closed SeasonYear-round

Walk-in AvailabilityBackcountry campsites are accessed from trailheads and parking areas; sites can be reached from distances ranging from 1/2 mile to 8 miles depending on chosen access point.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Activities you can enjoy

Opportunities include hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, sightseeing and quiet relaxation with scenic Blue Ridge Parkway views. The campground sits along streams and creeks and is adjacent to Rock Castle Creek.

Hiking

Located on the Rock Castle Gorge Trail (a 10.8 mile loop) with several connecting loops; campsites are reachable from trailheads at distances ranging from 1/2 mile to 8 miles.

Fishing

Rock Castle Creek, Little Rock Castle Creek and many other streams and creeks run by the trail and campground; fishing requires a Virginia fishing license and adherence to Virginia regulations.

Wildlife viewing

Plenty of wildlife in the area, including black bears; natural, rugged terrain offers wildlife viewing opportunities.

Winter Activities

Temperatures provided (summer 70–88°F, winter daytime 30–50°F with nights potentially below freezing) but no specific winter programs described.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Each campsite has a fire ring/pad. No additional fire restriction details are provided in the source content.

Hazards

General hazardsBlack bears are present. The area is rugged with numerous streams and creeks; potable water is not provided (campers are advised to pack in water). Winter nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing.

Weather at Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Clear sky

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 75%

Wind: 22.6 mph

Clear sky

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresRock Castle Creek runs adjacent to the campground; Little Rock Castle Creek and many other streams and creeks meander along the trail and run by the campground.

Campground Map

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

Driving directionsApproach and parking depend on where you begin the hike. The closest parking is at the end of Virginia State Road 605 (CC Camp Lane); SR 605 is gravel and turns to mostly dirt near the campground parking area and is directly off Virginia State Highway 8. Other parking/access points along the Blue Ridge Parkway include Rocky Knob Campground (Milepost 167), The Saddle Overlook (Milepost 168), The Rock Castle Gorge Overlook (Milepost 168.7), The Rocky Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 169) and The Twelve O'clock Overlook (Milepost 169). The Blue Ridge Parkway provides regional access; VA State Highway 8 provides closest access near Milepost 165.

Accessible via Virginia State Highway 8 to State Road 605 (CC Camp Lane) and via multiple Blue Ridge Parkway mileposts (approximately MP 165–169). SR 605 includes gravel and dirt sections near the parking area.

Nearby places

Floyd, VA — less than 8 miles

Nearby supplies

Floyd, VA — grocery stores, variety stores and pharmacies