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Grayson Highlands Campground

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Grayson Highlands Campground Overview

Rating

Phone (276) 579-7092

Address Grayson Highlands State Park Visitors Center, VA-362, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363, USA

Website https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/grayson-highlands

Hours

Grayson Highlands Campground Location & Map

VirginiaGrayson CountyMouth of WilsonVirginia 362

Grayson Highlands Campground About

For Virginia residents seeking an unforgettable outdoor adventure, Grayson Highlands Campground offers a truly unique and refreshing escape. Nestled within the breathtaking beauty of Grayson Highlands State Park, this high-mountain campground provides a serene retreat from the summer heat and a direct gateway to some of our state's most iconic natural attractions. It's more than just a place to set up camp; it’s an immersive experience where pleasant temperatures, stunning vistas, and the captivating presence of wild ponies create a truly magical atmosphere.

Grayson Highlands Campground is celebrated for its scenic grandeur and the unparalleled opportunity to explore a high-elevation environment. Reviewers consistently highlight the beauty of this state park and its refreshing climate, making it a perfect antidote to sticky summer days. Whether you're an avid hiker eager to hit the Appalachian Trail, a nature enthusiast hoping to spot wild ponies, or simply looking for a quiet, family-friendly spot to unwind, Grayson Highlands Campground offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquility right here in Virginia. Despite minor considerations like site leveling, the overall experience provided by the friendly camp hosts and amazing surroundings ensures a memorable visit for all who come.

Grayson Highlands Campground boasts an exceptional location for Virginia residents, making it a sought-after destination for those looking to experience the beauty of our western mountains. You'll find this elevated haven at Grayson Highlands State Park Visitors Center, VA-362, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363, USA. This address places the campground deep within the stunning high country of Southwestern Virginia, offering a truly immersive mountain experience. The journey to the park, while potentially involving some winding mountain roads, is part of the adventure, leading you to an elevation of over 4,000 feet, which significantly contributes to its pleasant summer temperatures.

The campground's strategic position within Grayson Highlands State Park provides immediate access to a vast network of hiking trails, including direct connections to the famous Appalachian Trail. This accessibility means that once you've arrived, the wonders of the park are literally at your doorstep. Mouth of Wilson, while a small community, serves as the local reference point, ensuring that you're within reach of essential services if needed, though the primary draw is the park's natural splendor. For Virginians, this location offers a remarkable opportunity to experience a high-altitude wilderness without having to travel out of state, making it a truly convenient and rewarding getaway.

Grayson Highlands Campground provides essential services designed to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for campers, even in its high-mountain setting. While the focus is on embracing nature, the campground offers the necessary amenities to support a pleasant experience. The friendly camp hosts play a crucial role in maintaining a welcoming environment and assisting guests. Here are some of the key services you can expect:

  • Campsites: The campground offers various campsites suitable for tents and RVs, though campers should be aware that some sites may not be perfectly level and might benefit from additional leveling equipment.
  • Bathhouses: Clean and well-maintained bathhouses are available, providing restrooms and hot showers for guest convenience.
  • Friendly Camp Hosts: Dedicated camp hosts are on-site to assist campers, provide information, and ensure a positive experience.
  • Water Access: Potable water sources are available within the campground for drinking and general use.
  • Trash Disposal: Designated areas for trash disposal are provided to help maintain the cleanliness of the park.
  • Hiking Trail Access: Direct access to numerous hiking trails, both within the campground and extending into the vast network of Grayson Highlands State Park and the Appalachian Trail.
  • Quiet Environment: The campground is noted for being very quiet, particularly during the week, making it ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat.
  • Pet-Friendly Facilities: The campground welcomes dogs, with designated areas for their enjoyment, suggesting a pet-friendly policy.

Grayson Highlands Campground stands out with several exceptional features and highlights that make it a truly unique and appealing destination for Virginia locals. These attributes contribute significantly to its high praise and draw visitors seeking a distinctive mountain experience. The combination of natural phenomena and outdoor opportunities creates an unforgettable visit. Here are some of its key highlights:

  • Wild Ponies: One of the most iconic attractions is the presence of wild ponies roaming nearby, just off the Appalachian Trail. These friendly creatures often wander through the area, offering a unique wildlife viewing experience.
  • High Elevation and Pleasant Temperatures: Situated at over 4,000 feet, the campground enjoys significantly cooler temperatures, making it an ideal escape from the heat and humidity of lower elevations, especially during the summer months.
  • Direct Appalachian Trail Access: For avid hikers, the campground offers immediate access to the famed Appalachian Trail, allowing for short day hikes or longer backpacking adventures.
  • Extensive Hiking Trails: Beyond the AT, the surrounding state park boasts an amazing network of hiking trails suitable for various skill levels, offering incredible scenic views.
  • Serene Mountain Scenery: The natural beauty of this high-mountain area is a constant draw, providing breathtaking vistas and a profound sense of tranquility.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Especially during weekdays, the campground is remarkably quiet, perfect for those seeking peace and relaxation amidst nature.
  • Clean Facilities: The bathhouses are consistently praised for their cleanliness, contributing significantly to a comfortable camping experience.
  • Dog-Friendly Environment: The campground happily accommodates dogs, making it a great choice for pet owners who want to bring their furry companions along.
  • Proximity to Virginia Creeper Trail: Guests can easily access other regional attractions like the Virginia Creeper Trail, offering opportunities for biking and further exploration (as noted by a reviewer).

As a Virginia State Park campground, Grayson Highlands Campground primarily operates with set rates for its campsites, which can vary based on the season, site type (e.g., tent, RV with hookups), and duration of stay. Specific commercial "promotions or special offers" are generally not offered in the same way a private business might. However, the value derived from staying at a state park is immense, offering access to stunning natural resources and well-maintained facilities at often more affordable rates than private campgrounds. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on pricing, availability, and any potential seasonal discounts or packages (such as off-peak rates), Virginia residents should consult the official Virginia State Parks website or contact the campground directly. While there might not be "deals," the inherent value of camping in a beautiful, high-elevation state park with unique features like wild ponies and direct AT access is a significant "offer" in itself. It is always recommended to book well in advance, especially for popular summer and fall weekends, as this desirable location fills up quickly.

Ready to plan your refreshing high-mountain adventure at Grayson Highlands Campground? Here’s how you can get in touch:

Address: Grayson Highlands State Park Visitors Center, VA-362, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363, USA

Phone: (276) 579-7092

Mobile Phone: +1 276-579-7092

For Virginia locals, Grayson Highlands Campground is an outstanding choice for a quintessential mountain getaway. Its unparalleled high-elevation location ensures wonderfully pleasant temperatures, even during the peak of summer, making it a perfect retreat from the heat that can affect other parts of the state. The star attraction – the presence of wild ponies roaming freely – offers a truly unique and enchanting wildlife encounter that you won't find just anywhere. With direct access to the world-renowned Appalachian Trail and an abundance of other amazing hiking trails, it's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. The clean bathhouses, friendly camp hosts, and remarkably quiet atmosphere (especially during the week) all contribute to a comfortable and serene camping experience. While some campsites might require minor leveling, the overall beauty and numerous highlights far outweigh this small consideration. Whether you’re seeking an active hiking vacation, a peaceful retreat surrounded by stunning nature, or a chance to introduce your family (and dogs!) to Virginia's incredible high country, Grayson Highlands Campground offers an accessible, affordable, and deeply rewarding adventure right here in our beloved Commonwealth.

Customer Reviews

4.0
96 reviews
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Anthony Smith
Jul 11, 2023

Beautiful state park campground. The main attractions for me are the scenic nature of this high mountain area, the wild ponies that roam nearby just off the Appalachian Trail, and the fact that the temperature is usually pleasant even in the summer due to the 4000’+ elevation. The only downside is that the campsites are not very level, could use some improvements such as more gravel to reduce the muddiness during rainy periods.

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Abby Stoker
Sep 08, 2018

Great camping area, we had 2 adults and 2 big dogs, clean bathhouse, friendly camp hosts, very quiet during the week which is nice, couldn't ask for more perfect weather for the 1st week in September, one pony walked around and is friendly, hiking trails in campground and surrounding areas were amazing. Also did the Virgina Creeper on a Wednesday so not a ton of people during the week.

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Paul Damerell
May 26, 2018

We stayed 3 nights in our travel trailer at site 35 with electric and water hookups. Positives: sites are nicely spaced to give privacy, many sites are pull-through, each site has picnic table and fire ring, most sites are wooded/shaded, rest rooms and showers are among the nicest we have experienced at any park. The main disadvantage is the sites are not very level. We were able to level our trailer satisfactorily, but I could see it would be more difficult at some sites. Also, the pull-through sites at the north end of the campground (site numbers in 50s and 60s) are pretty tight against the campground road. Overall, our stay was very enjoyable and we would definitely return.

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Amanda Barthel
Jul 14, 2019

They do everything right, the place is clean, but the campsites are on top of one another; our vehicle served as a sound/sight barrier on one side and our tent on the other (my photo looks like there is lots of room because it is a panorama). Site host on duty seems friendly and present; can be seen making rounds regularly. For a PM shower go to bathhouse a little early, 4-5p, to beat the rush and have ample hot water.

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Serena Liao
Aug 20, 2023

Extremely beautiful and peaceful mountain ridge. Twin pinnacle and Wilburn ridge hiking trails are phenomenal, both my kids loved it. Campground is well spaced, quiet and pull-through spaces are nice. The bathroom is very clean, and the shower is warm and has excellent water pressure. Kids love to bike in the campground, and make new friends. Might be a little windy due to the elevation, we had our camper not tent camping, so no problem at all.