Description

Elevation: 1752 ft.

Blowing Springs Campground provides easy access to Little Back Creek and a laid-back trail that follows the creek, providing ample opportunity for viewing wildlife. Air from a natural underground duct blows out of the rocks at a constant 58 degrees F. Additionally, trails from the campground lead to swimming holes as well as the trout-stocked stream. The water near the campground is large enough to support many of Virginia’s more universal water birds, so be on the lookout for great blue and green herons, wood duck, and belted kingfisher. The numerous half-chewed trees balancing delicately on their remaining trunks are sure-fire indicators of beavers. Careful inspection of the stream could produce numerous surprises along its banks. Louisiana waterthrush can be found “chipping” and madly bobbing their tails on streamside rocks. Damselflies such as powdered dancer and ebony jewelwing after often found resting on the streamside vegetation or on exposed stones in the numerous riffles. Both banks of the creek are wooded with small clearings of shrub cover interspersed with massive yellow poplars. This habitat mosaic provides for species such as indigo bunting while at the same time supporting more woodland associated species such as American redstart. The more common species tend not to discriminate; Carolina wrens and eastern towhees can be found throughout. Butterflies are also prevalent in the campground and along the trails. Look for black and eastern tiger swallowtails as well as the diminutive and confusing azures. Wildflowers are numerous in season with Asian dayflower particularly dominant.

Directions

Physical Address: 7698 Mountain Valley Rd, Warm Springs, VA 24484

Blowing Springs Campground is located north of I 64 between US 220 and the West Virginia border.

From I 581 N/US 220 N in Roanoke, continue for 5.4 miles. Take exit 1N to merge onto I 81 N/US 220 N toward Lexington. In 6.8 miles, take exit 150B for US 11 N/US 220 N toward Troutville/Fincastle. Keep right and follow signs for US 220 N/Fincastle to merge onto US 11/US 220. In 34.3 miles, keep right and follow signs for US 60/US 220 N/I 64/Covington/Lexington. Merge onto US 220 S/US 60 BUS E. In 0.6 miles, turn right onto I 64 E/US 60 E and continue for 1.5 miles. Take exit 29 for SR 42 N toward SR 269 E and continue for 0.3 miles. Turn left onto SR 42 N and continue for 16.5 miles. Then, turn left onto SR 39 W. In 13.0 miles, turn left onto US 220 S and then right onto SR 39 W (Mountain Valley Rd). In 9.7 miles, turn left and continue until the campground appears to the left.

from I 64 in Charlotteville/Waynesboro, continue west. Take the I 81 S exit toward I 64 W/Lexington/Roanoke and merge onto I 64 W/I 81 S. In 0.6 miles, take exit 220 for SR 262 toward US 11. Continue onto SR 262 N for 4.2 miles. Then, take the SR 254/Parkersburg Pike exit and turn left onto SR 254 W. In 7.0 miles, continue onto SR 42 S which becomes SR 39 W in 29.4 miles. After 13.0 miles, turn left onto US 220 S followed by a right onto SR 39 W. In 9.7 miles, turn left and continue until the campground appears to the left.