CAMPANAC.
National Park Service · Blue Ridge Parkway · VA

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

Primitive sites at Rock Castle Gorge include fire grate and food storage locker.Photo · P.W. Bersch
Not publishedStatus
ReservableAccess
8Sites

The place

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground is a primitive camp located along the Rock Castle Gorge Trail in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area which is part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campsites can be reached from various points ranging in distance from 1/2 mile to 8 miles. The complete Rock Castle Gorge Trail is a 10.8 mile loop, there are several other loop trails that connect to it. Rock Castle Creek, Little Rock Castle Creek and many other streams and creeks meander along the trail and run right by the campground. Keep reading

Fishing requires a Virginia Fishing License, and the State of Virginia laws and regulations apply. The year-round campground has eight campsites. Each has a fire ring/pad and food storage lockers. A Portable Toilet is available. Plan to pack in your water for safety. Summers are hot (70 to 88 Degrees) and humid as Rock Castle Creek is adjacent to the campground. Winter temperatures (Daytime 30 to 50 Degrees) can easily drop below freezing at night. Recreation Hiking, sightseeing, majestic Blue Ridge Parkway views and simple relaxation are all in store in the Rocky Knob Recreational Area. Facilities Campfire rings and food storage lockers are at each campsite. A portable toilet is available for campers. There is plenty of shade, Rock Castle Creek runs adjacent to the campground. Natural Features Venture into one of the Parkway’s more rugged areas at Rocky Knob. Hike through forests, explore mountain ridges, or enjoy spring wildflowers and rhododendrons. Rock Castle Creek, Little Rock Castle Creek and many other streams and creeks abound. Bare Rocks and other geological outcrops and long distance views from the upper elevations of the Rock Castle Gorge Trail are sure to please. Plenty of wildlife including black bears. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (828) 276-2300. Nearby Attractions Floyd, VA is less than 8 miles away, known for eclectic shops, mountain music venues and great places to eat along with grocery stores, variety stores and pharmacies. Visit Floyd Virginia

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 8

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
Rock Castle Gorge1hike to——
Rock Castle Gorge2hike to——
Rock Castle Gorge3hike to——
Rock Castle Gorge4hike to——
Rock Castle Gorge5hike to——
Rock Castle Gorge6hike to——
Rock Castle Gorge7hike to——
Rock Castle Gorge8hike to——
SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov
SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Fees

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campground reservations are available on a 6-month rolling basis prior to planned start dates. The backcountry camping permit fee is$15 per night per site. Do not print your permit until you have confirmed you will be completing your backcountry trip. Once the permit has been printed you can not cancel or modify the reservation. Changes/Modifications Changes may be made prior to the day the reservation begins. If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. Cancellations Customers may cancel their reservation prior to day of arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 cancellation fee will be withheld from any refund due back the customer. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will have a $10.00 cancellation fee withheld from their refund AND will forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Your representative

This campground sits in VA-09. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard