GENERAL INFO: This mountain park is next to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in the Jefferson National Forest. Grayson Highlands State Park was originally named Mount Rogers State Park and was established in 1965. Pets are allowed in the park but not allowed inside public facilities including the bathhouses, visitor center and office.
AT-A-GLANCE: The pictographs directly below show park offerings. Click on those of interest or read below for more detail. Mouse-over the image for a short text description or click here to view a legend in which each pictograph's meaning is expressed.
LOCATION: The park is on U.S. 58 midway between Independence and Damascus and is reached from I-81 at Exit 45 in Marion; turn south on Route 16 and travel 33 miles to US 58 in the community of Volney. Turn right onto US 58. Travel eight miles to the park's entrance.
From I-77, take Hillsville Exit 14 to U.S. 58. Travel west on U.S. 58, 40 miles to Volney. Turn left to stay on U.S. 58 and go eight miles to the park entrance.
Drive Time: Northern Va., 6.5 hours; Richmond, 5.5 hours; Tidewater, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7.5 hours; Roanoke, 2.5 hours; Winston-Salem, 2 hours; Charlotte, 3 hours; Raleigh, 4 hours
PARK MAP: Click here (PDF).
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Camping and camping lodges (bunkhouses). For information on availability of overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.
Camping: Total sites of each type: E/W, 37. STD, 32. HorseE/W, 23. CovStall, 38. OpnStall, 29. RV50-EW, 4. GrpTentStd (GT1), 1. CampLodge, 1.
Site type:
E/W - Electric and water sites; various equipment. Up to 40 feet. No horses allowed.
STD - Standard campsites; no hookups; various equipment. Up to 40 feet. One tent site is handicap accessible. No horses allowed.
HorseE/W - Stable area campsites; electric and water hookups; various equipment. Up to 40 feet. Horses are alllowed only in this area, which is solely for equestrian campers except when the area is used for primitive camping March through Apriil and in November when this area only is open for camping.
CovStall - Covered stalls for horses; stable area; all are tie-in standing stalls; each is approximately 4' x 10'; park provides sawdust for stalls. Bring your own hay bag and water bucket.
OpnStall - Open horse stalls, about 5 x 8 feet; some amenities in stalls. Bring your own hay bag and water bucket.
GrpTentStd - Please see below for details.
Total campsites: 96
Note: Primitive camping is centralized in stable area campground (HorseE/W) during March and April and in November; there are pit toilets only, and water is unavailable at this location. Drinking water is available at the park office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Camping fees are lower during the primitive camping season.
Group Camping: Grayson Highlands has a group camping area (GrpTentStd).
Camping Lodge (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. 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 3 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.
TRAILS: Hiking, bicycle trails (mountain bikes only), horse trails, self-guided trails
Bridle trails: More than two miles of bridle paths wander through the park. These paths also lead to bridle 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 nine hiking trails averaging a mile in length. These trails lead to panoramic vistas, scenic waterfalls and a 200 year old pioneer cabin. The park also offers access to the Appalachian Trail and trails in the surrounding Jefferson National Forest. Details about the park's trails are listed below.
There are several nearby backpacker shuttle services: Mount Rogers Outfitters in Damascus, Va., (276) 475-5416; Creeper Trail Bike Rental and Shuttle, Whitetop, Va., (276) 388-3056.
Bike rentals: Blue Blaze Bike and Shuttle Service, toll-free (800) 475-5095; The Bike Station, toll-free (866) 475-3629; Adventure Damascus Bicycles, toll-free (888) 595-BIKE (2453); J C's Outdoors Bike Shop, toll-free (866) 475-5727; Creeper Trail Bike Rental and Shuttle, Whitetop, Va., (276) 388-3056.
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: F = Foot Traffic; H = Horseback Riding; B = Mountain Bikes; X = Cross Country Skiing
Grayson Highlands provides access to the Appalachian Trail (AT), hence backpacking is a popular activity. In fact, the park averages 4,000 backpackers a year. The park, however, also can have unusual and harsh weather, so it's important for those planning to access the AT's trailhead here to be familiar with Grayson Highland's severe weather policy and associated procedures. Here are a few links that will help.
FISHING, BOATING: Nearly 10 miles of wild trout stream lie within Grayson Highlands State Park. The cool mountain streams offer those fishing breathtaking scenery while angling for native brook and wild rainbow trout. Several park streams are designated "Special Regulation Wildlife Trout Streams" thus require the use of a single hook 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 on national forest property.
Guided canoe trips are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day, depending on the water level of the river. The trips can accommodate groups of from a minimum of six to a maximum of 14. The trip takes placeon the New River through "a land that time forgot." Take in cliffs, shaded pastures, lush woodlands and crisp, clear water. It's a six-mile trek and takes about six hours. Participants should bring lunch, drinking water and closed-toe shoes.
Big Wilson Creek, along the northeastern boundary of the park, offers 3.5 miles of fishable waters. From its headwaters to ¼-mile below it 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 central area of the park, 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 Wilson Creek Trail at the main campground to the Seed Orchard Road Trail.
Cabin Creek of the park's western area has 2.1 miles of fishable water. 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.
HUNTING: Click here to learn about this park's hunting opportunities.
HORSES: Horse trails and horse camping facilities are available here, but no horses are for rent.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: Located near the summit of Haw Orchard Mountain, the Visitor Center has exhibits on pioneer life and plant and animal life of the area. The Visitor Center also houses the Mountain Crafts Shop, provided by the Rooftop of Virginia Community Action Program. Open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day.
NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Guided hikes day and evening (includes some after dark); evening amphitheater programs - bluegrass and old time music, storytelling, etc.; cultural demonstrations - basket weaving, spinning, clogging, etc.; flora and fauna programs; the Junior Ranger Program; Adventure Ranger Program.
The Junior Ranger Program showcases the park’s historical, geological, wild ponies, and cultural and natural resources. The program is for children ages 6-12 years and features music, nature activities and crafts. The program is normally held in late July. The Adventure Ranger Program for children 10-17 is three days, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and focuses on environmental education including hiking, backpacking, canoeing, orienteering and other local adventure activities. Fees apply.
Grayson Highlands State Park Festivals and Regional Events
Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: None.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: The Virginia Creeper Trail is a multi-use trail beginning in Whitetop, Va., approximately 10 miles from the park, which ends in Abingdon, Va. Total length: 33.4 miles. Very popular with mountain bikers. You can learn more about area offerings by visiting the Southwest Virginia Heritage Guide.
Cities nearby: Two to three hours from Roanoke, Va., Charlotte, N.C., Winston-Salem, N.C., and Charleston, W. Va.; and about one and a half hours from Boone, N.C., Blacksburg, Va., Beckley, W.Va., and Bristol, Va.
Click here to learn about other B&Bs and inns in Grayson County.
PICNIC SHELTERS: The picnic area is next to a rebuilt homestead site, complete with two log cabins, a spring-house and a cane mill. Picnic facilities include drinking water, grills and restrooms. Picnic shelters are available by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK.
Grayson Highlands State Park Picnic Shelters
Two shelters are available for rent. They can be rented from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (all day). Click here for park fees.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.
Amenities: Both shelters have grill, picnic tables and access to restroom.
Shelter one: Located in main picnic area. A water fountain and electric hookup is available at the shelter. Shelter can accommodate 100 people under the shelter. Seating for an additional 100 people is available around the shelter.
Shelter two: Located next to homestead cabin. Shelter is referred to as The Barn. No adjacent parking is available; users must park only in designated areas. Shelter can accommodate 100 people under the shelter. Seating for another 100 is available around the shelter.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The park offers backpacking, map and compass skills, photography and fly fishing programs. Click here for details.
LAUNDRY: Closest facility is 12 miles from park in Lansing or 24 miles to Independence, Va.
RESTAURANT: None in park, however the Country Store offers candy, chips, drinks, ice cream and camping sundries.
Restaurants: Country House, Lansing, N.C., (336) 384-4678; Log House, Volney, Va., (276) 579-4440; Martha Washington Inn and Restaurant (276) 628-3161, Abingdon, Va.; Shatley Springs Inn, (336) 982-2236, Jefferson, N.C.; Speedy's Chuckwagon, Whitetop, Va., (276) 388-2828
General stores: Fox Creek General Store, (276) 579-6033; Osborne's Store, (276) 579-4602; Whitetop Food and Gas, (276) 388-3465
HISTORY: Grayson Highlands, originally named Mount Rogers State Park, was established in 1965. The community overwhelmingly supported this park, beginning with a fund-raising effort for land acquisition and continuing with the donation of items on exhibit in the visitor center. Many areas in the park are named after early settlers. Massie Gap takes its name from Lee Massey, who lived in the gap with his wife and five children in the late 1800s and early 1900s. At that time, the present park area was thinly settled by people who managed to live off the land. They made, grew or gathered most of their necessities.
Wilburn Ridge is named after the famed hunter Wilburn Waters. His reputation as a bear hunter and wolf trapper made him renowned throughout the region.
FRIENDS GROUP: Click here to learn about Friends of Grayson Highlands State Park, a nonprofit group of volunteers dedicated to supporting the park. Enjoy the photos and learn about current weather at the park.
