Grayson Highlands State Park

Covering about 4,476 acres, Grayson Highlands State Park lies in Grayson County, about 15 miles south of Marion.

Visitors come for horseback riding, biking, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 7 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites, group camping, and showers). There are also yurts for rent.

Camping Grayson Highlands allows guests to reserve specific campsites. Photos of the sites. Chestnut Hollow Campground Map Hickory Ridge Campground Map Total sites of each type: Hickory Ridge Campground: • Electric/Water – 38 sites • No Hookups – 28 • Bunkhouse – 1 • Group Site – 1 • Yurts – 4 Chestnut Hollow Equestrian Campground: • Horse Site – 24 • Wide Covered Stalls – 20 • Wide Open Stalls – 5 • Open Stalls - 19 Site types: Electric/Water sites; 20, 30 and 50-amp; various equipment. Up to 40 feet. No horses allowed. No Hookups- no electric or water at the site; various equipment. Up to 30 feet. One tent site is universally accessible. No horses allowed. Group Site - Please see below for details. Horse Site - Stable area campsites; electric and water hookups; 20, 30 and 50-amp; various equipment. Up to 40 feet. Horses are only allowed in this area. Equestrian campers get priority booking, but any camper may make a reservation beginning 30 days prior to arrival. This area is also used for primitive camping in March, April and November. Reservations for campsites and stalls in Chestnut Hollow can only be made by calling the reservation center at 1-800-933-PARK (7275). Wide Covered Stall - Covered stalls for horses, about 8 x 10 feet; stable area; park provides sawdust for stalls. Bring your own hay bag and water bucket. Wide Open Stall – Uncovered horse stalls, about 8 x 10 feet; some amenities in stalls. Bring your own hay bag and water bucket. Open Stall - Uncovered horse stalls, about 5 x 8 feet; some amenities in stalls. Bring your own hay bag and water bucket. • All campsites are dirt/gravel with picnic tables and grills at each site. Maximum of six campers per site. • Most sites are wooded; one site is universally accessible near bathhouse. • The horse campground is far from the park's other campground. • Each site has a fire-ring for cooking and campfires. • Firewood and ice are available at the park. • Please deposit all trash in the dumpster as you exit the campground. Recycling containers are next to the dumpster. • No more than two vehicles and a camping unit are allowed per campsite. A parking fee will be charged for each additional vehicle. • There's additional parking beside and across from the Country Store. Click here for park fees. • Guests can visit overnight campers but must leave the park by 10 p.m.; no one is to roam around the park campground after 10 p.m. Group Site: Grayson Highlands has a group camping area. • This group camping area accommodates up to 35 campers. Sites have no water or electric hook-ups. No minimum number of campers to be considered a group. • A standard bathhouse is about 500 feet away, and water is available within 50 feet of the campground. Toilets are within 100 feet. Parking is available beside the camp store or a lot across from the store - campers will have to walk between 20 and 40 yards to reach the camping area. Tents only are permitted. • The group camping area is between the Country Store and the turn-off loop to the regular campground. The group area has five large tent pads, five picnic tables and three fire rings. Click here for rental fees. • Groups may apply at the park for a special use permit allowing use of the amphitheater and a large fire ring. (This might prove useful for special ceremonies, such as those undertaken by scout groups.) There is a small processing fee for the permit, which must be approved two weeks beforehand. The permit must be arranged through the park. • The cancellation fee for group camping is higher than that for other camping.

Yurts Functionally speaking, it's a cross between a tent and a cabin. Grayson Highlands has four yurts in Hickory Ridge Campground. Each yurt has a large wooden deck with a picnic table and four rocking chairs. There is an additional area with a picnic table and a fire ring with cooking grate. Reservations are required. Parking for two vehicles allowed. Those with additional vehicles must pay a daily parking fee. Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m. The rental season begins on May 1 and ends on the first Sunday of November. Cabin rental and cancellation policies apply. There's a two-night minimum rental during rest of camping season. • Maximum occupancy 4. Sleeps 3 - One queen-sized and a twin-sized trundle pull-out. Guests must bring sleeping bags or linens. • No smoking, cooking or pets allowed in the yurt. • No electricity or water. Potable water is across the road from yurt 3. • Dining table seats four. • No heat or air-conditioning. • Yurt 4 is accessible. • Yurt 1 is 24 feet from the parking area and 463 feet from the bathhouse. Yurt 2 is 90 feet from the parking area and 730 feet from the bathhouse. Yurt 3 is 84 feet from the parking area and 500 feet from the bathhouse. Yurt 4 is 32 feet from the parking lot and 328 feet from the bathhouse. Bunkhouse Bunkhouse - Two-night minimum, no weekly requirement. This is not a full service lodge; it is a camping facility. The two-room trailer has seven bunk beds, a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffeepot, and heating and air conditioning. Just outside is a deck with two picnic tables and a charcoal grill. Cooking and smoking are not permitted inside the lodge. Four vehicles are permitted with rental of the lodge; all other vehicles must pay the park's daily parking fee. Because of the lodge's location, parking there is limited to three vehicles. Other vehicles may be parked across from the Country Store. This facility is not sold 11 months in advance; it goes online in January each year. It's available only during camping season, from May 1 to Oct 31 annually. Check-in is 4 p.m., and check-out is 10 a.m. The transfer deadline policy and cancellation and pet fees are the same as those for cabins. • Linens are not provided. Guests must bring their own linens and pillows. • Maximum 14 people allowed in bunkhouse. Guests are responsible for any damage. • No bathroom, kitchen or fireplace. • No cable hookup. • Electrical outlets are available but limited to 50 amp service. • No extra bed rentals. • The camping lodge is located back of upper loop campground. • Camping lodge guests use the upper loop bathhouse in campground.

Hiking, bicycle trails (mountain bikes only), horse trails, self-guided trails. Biking and Equestrian trails: More than seven miles of bike and bridle paths wander through the park. These paths also lead to horse trails in Jefferson National Forest. Parking facilities for horse trailers and overnight stables are available at the park. The park does not provide horses for trail rides. Hiking trails: The park has 18 hiking trails, which vary from 0.3 to just over 3 miles in length. These trails lead to panoramic vistas, scenic waterfalls and quiet wooded areas. The park also offers access to the Appalachian Trail, Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, and other trails in the surrounding Jefferson National Forest. Details about the park's trails are listed below. Grayson Highlands State Park Trails Note: A detailed map of all trails in the Mount Rogers area can be purchased at the park office. Key: H = Hiking; E = Horseback Riding; B = Mountain Bikes; X = Cross Country Skiing • Appalachian Spur Trail: mileage .7; H • Appalachian Trail: mileage (within the park) 2.5; H • Cabin Creek Trail: mileage 1.7 loop; H • Haw Flats Trail: mileage 0.6 loop; H • Haw Mountain Trail: mileage 0.9; H, B • Horse Trail (east): mileage 2.0; E, B, X • Horse Trail (north): mileage 0.9; E, X • Listening Rock Trail: mileage 1.3 loop; H • Massie Gap Spur Trail: mileage 0.3; H • Rhododendron Trail: mileage 1.3; H, X • Rock House Ridge Trail: mileage 1.3 loop; F • Seed Orchard Road: mileage 1.2; E, B, X • Split Rock Trail: mileage 0.3 loop; H • Stampers Branch Trail: mileage 1.7; H • Twin Pinnacles Trail: mileage 1.6; H • Upchurch Road: mileage 3.1; H, E, B, X • Wilburn Branch Trail: mileage 0.9; H • Wilson Creek Trail: mileage 1.2; H Backpacking The park has long been a gateway to the state’s highest peak, Mount Rogers, as well as the Appalachian Trail and the Grayson Highlands. As the popularity of outdoor recreation has grown, so has the number of visitors to the highlands. As many as 6,000 overnight visitors and many day hikers visit the area a year. This increased usage has raised concern for protecting the fragile highlands by the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (MRNRA), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and Grayson Highlands State Park. Please abide by the following guidelines when planning a visit to the backcountry. • Weather at the park can be harsh, so those planning to access the backcountry trails from the park should be aware of the most up to date weather forecast for their visit. • Limit group sizes to no more than 10 in the high country and wilderness areas. Those planning trips to the Mount Rogers High Country should read this information on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website. • Shelters along the A.T. are intended for thru or section hikers. Please, do not plan to stay at or camp near Thomas Knob Shelter or the Wise Shelter. • Backcountry camping is not allowed within Grayson Highlands State Park, including at Wise Shelter, but camping is allowed in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (MRNRA). Hikers traveling north on the A.T. will exit the park when they cross Big Wilson Creek just past the Wise Shelter fence are welcome to camp across the creek from the shelter, on the MRNRA. • Practice Leave No Trace. The ATC has information on their website about it. Please read and follow its guidelines when you visit. • Consider setting up your camp away from the A.T., perhaps off a horse trail or a foot trail in the area. Park staff would be happy to suggest various routes or camping locations. Feel free to call park staff when planning a visit. • Commercial groups must obtain a Special Use Permit from the park and the U.S. Forest Service. This requirement is for paid guided hikes but does not apply to scouts, schools or church groups. Call the park at 276-579-7092 and the MRNRA Headquarters at 276-783-5196 for details. Here's more helpful information: • Backpacker Information • Group Backpacking • Necessary Backpacking Supplies and Equipment • Leave No Trace Ethics Backpacker shuttle services: • Creeper Trail Bike Rental and Shuttle, Whitetop, Va., 888-595-2453 • Grayson Highlands Base Camp Shuttle Service, 276-677-0195 or cell 276-781-6345 • Mount Rogers Outfitters, Damascus, Va., 276-475-5416 • Sundog Outfitter, Damascus, Va., 276-475-6252 Biking There are over 7 miles of trails for mountain biking within the park and the start of the Virginia Creeper Trail is just eight miles away in Whitetop. Bike rentals: • Adventure Damascus Bicycles, 888-595-2453 • The Bike Station, 866-475-3629 • Blue Blaze Bike and Shuttle Service, 276-475-55095 • Creeper Trail Bike Rental and Shuttle, Whitetop, Va., 276-475-3611 Wild Ponies Hikers on the highlands trails are likely to encounter wild ponies. They were introduced to the park in 1974 to prevent reforestation of the highland balds. The Wilburn Ridge Pony Association manages the pony herd. During fall roundups of ponies for an auction held in conjunction with Grayson Highland’s annual Fall Festival, association members check the herd for health problems. Visitors should not approach, feed or pet the ponies. They bite and kick when they feel threatened, and human food is bad for them. Bouldering Grayson Highlands is known as the best bouldering site in Virginia. On the park’s mountainous slopes are four main boulder fields and three smaller fields with more than 700 named climbing routes, also known as problems. The park’s geology, which is unique in the Southeast, makes it well-suited to bouldering. Climbers will find rhyolite at higher elevations as well as a metaconglomerate in a quartzite matrix elsewhere in the park. These provide steep faces with angular features, including rails, flakes and edges that ensure bouldering opportunities for climbers of all skill levels. Summer weather at the park is ideal for bouldering. Several boulder fields have an elevation of more than 4,900 feet, with temperatures in the 70s and cool breezes that allow climbing throughout summer. The park welcomes climbers to enjoy bouldering opportunities but requires that Leave No Trace ethics be followed. Ropes and the chipping of rocks are not allowed. Climbing is inherently dangerous; all safety precautions should be taken. Stop by the contact station or office to register as a climber in case of an emergency. The park has four crash pads for rent. It also sells chalk, chalk bags and the Grayson Highlands Bouldering Guidebook. For more information about the bouldering opportunities at Grayson Highlands, visit the Mountain Project.

None at this park.

Nearly 10 miles of wild trout streams lie within Grayson Highlands State Park. Cool mountain streams offer anglers native brook and wild rainbow trout as well as breathtaking scenery. All the streams in the park are Special Regulation Wildlife Trout Streams, which require the use of single hooks and artificial lures, and all trout less than nine inches long must be released unharmed. All required state fishing licenses and creel limits apply to fishing within the park. A National Forest Permit is required when fishing national forest property, which borders the park along Wilson Creek. Big Wilson Creek, along the northeastern boundary of the park, offers 3.5 miles of fishable waters. From its headwaters to ¼-mile below its confluence with Little Wilson Creek, the stream is designated a "Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream." A sign marks the area. Below this point, the creek is designated a "Stocked Trout Stream" and requires a trout license in addition to the state fishing license. You can reach the creek via the Appalachian Trail at Massie Gap or by taking the Big Wilson Creek Trail from the main campground. Wilburn Branch, near the park's central area, provides 1.8 miles of fishable waters and is designated a "Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream." It can be accessed via the Stamper's Branch or Upchurch Road trail. Mill Creek, which has 1.1 miles of fishable waters, is the park's southeastern corner. It, too, is a "Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream." Get there by taking Highway 58 East from the park's entrance, then turning left on SR 742 (Mill Creek Rd.). Access to the park's portion of the creek is on the left near a grove of white pines, about half a mile down Mill Creek Rd. Quebec Branch, in the park's northern region, has 1.1 miles of fishable waters, all of which is designated a "Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream." This waterway sometimes has low water. Access it from the Appalachian Trail at Massie Gap or by taking the Seed Orchard Road Trail from Hickory Ridge Campground. Cabin Creek of the park's western area has 2.1 miles of fishable water, all of which is designated a Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream. Wild rainbow and native brook trout inhabit the waters here; it's not stocked. Take the Cabin Creek Trail at Massie Gap to get there. The nearby New River offers visitors canoe, kayak and tubing opportunities in addition to fishing. These businesses offer canoe, kayak and tube rentals in addition to shuttle service along the river. There are other outfitters further up or down river if you’d like to extend your float. • Riverside Canoe and Tube Rentals, 336-982-9439 • Twin Rivers Family Campground, 336-982-3456 • Zaloo’s Canoes Outpost, 336-246-3066

Nearly 10 miles of wild trout streams lie within Grayson Highlands State Park. Cool mountain streams offer anglers native brook and wild rainbow trout as well as breathtaking scenery. All the streams in the park are Special Regulation Wildlife Trout Streams, which require the use of single hooks and artificial lures, and all trout less than nine inches long must be released unharmed. All required state fishing licenses and creel limits apply to fishing within the park. A National Forest Permit is required when fishing national forest property, which borders the park along Wilson Creek. Big Wilson Creek, along the northeastern boundary of the park, offers 3.5 miles of fishable waters. From its headwaters to ¼-mile below its confluence with Little Wilson Creek, the stream is designated a "Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream." A sign marks the area. Below this point, the creek is designated a "Stocked Trout Stream" and requires a trout license in addition to the state fishing license. You can reach the creek via the Appalachian Trail at Massie Gap or by taking the Big Wilson Creek Trail from the main campground. Wilburn Branch, near the park's central area, provides 1.8 miles of fishable waters and is designated a "Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream." It can be accessed via the Stamper's Branch or Upchurch Road trail. Mill Creek, which has 1.1 miles of fishable waters, is the park's southeastern corner. It, too, is a "Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream." Get there by taking Highway 58 East from the park's entrance, then turning left on SR 742 (Mill Creek Rd.). Access to the park's portion of the creek is on the left near a grove of white pines, about half a mile down Mill Creek Rd. Quebec Branch, in the park's northern region, has 1.1 miles of fishable waters, all of which is designated a "Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream." This waterway sometimes has low water. Access it from the Appalachian Trail at Massie Gap or by taking the Seed Orchard Road Trail from Hickory Ridge Campground. Cabin Creek of the park's western area has 2.1 miles of fishable water, all of which is designated a Special Regulation Wild Trout Stream. Wild rainbow and native brook trout inhabit the waters here; it's not stocked. Take the Cabin Creek Trail at Massie Gap to get there. The nearby New River offers visitors canoe, kayak and tubing opportunities in addition to fishing. These businesses offer canoe, kayak and tube rentals in addition to shuttle service along the river. There are other outfitters further up or down river if you’d like to extend your float. • Riverside Canoe and Tube Rentals, 336-982-9439 • Twin Rivers Family Campground, 336-982-3456 • Zaloo’s Canoes Outpost, 336-246-3066

A state fishing license is usually required.

• Tent site, upper loop of the campground • Universally accessible toilet and shower at upper loop bathhouse • Shelter one, picnic area • Buzzard Rock Overlook • Picnic area at Buzzard Rock Overlook • Visitor center, parking in the back of center, bathrooms • Office bathrooms