Description
Elevation: 3702 ft.
Grindstone Campground is a large campsite, nestled in the Mount Rogers National Recreational Area. This site offers shower facilities, flush toilets, drinking water, dump station, swimming area, and an amphitheatre. Interpretive programs are offered seasonally and two hiking trails that interconnect with other area trails can be accessed from this site. It is approximately 6.0 miles along the Mount Rogers Trail to Virginia’s highest peak. The Whispering Waters Trail is a short 0.6-mile loop that meanders through moist, mixed deciduous woodlands. In the woodlands surrounding this campground, especially along the trails, are ample opportunities to see wildlife. Visitors may find several kinds of warblers, least flycatcher, wood thrush, and along the creek, Louisiana waterthrush. During migration, this area can be filled with songbird activity. These moist woodlands and creeks are also wonderful places to spy other wildlife. Yellow-bellied sapsucker nest within the campground area. Salamander diversity can be amazing here; look for black-bellied, mountain dusky, northern spring, and red-backed salamanders. The campground trails are popular among naturalists who enjoy spending their days hiking the Mount Rogers National Recreational Area trails. While this is a large campsite, accommodating up to 100 families, reservations should be made in advance.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Grindstone Campground:
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Eastern Phoebe
- Blue-headed Vireo
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Veery
- American Goldfinch
- Dark-eyed Junco
- Eastern Towhee
- Ovenbird
107 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 2026 | 17 | G Patton |
| 24 Apr 2026 | 25 | Robert Riggs |
| 24 Apr 2026 | 25 | Elaine Sharpe |
| 22 Mar 2026 | 10 | Allen Boynton |
| 17 Oct 2025 | 1 | Stella Busby |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
Other Site Amenities: Camping/Lodging, Hiking Trails, Interpretive Program/Events
Maps & Directions
From Rt. 603/Fairwood, travel west 2.2 miles to Grindstone Campground on the left.
Site Information
Managed By:
- National Park Service
Access Requirements:
Contact Information:
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.
