Grindstone
GRINDSTONE
Part of George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
Overview
Grindstone Campground is tucked in the Fairwood Valley among pastures and wooded hillsides. The surrounding Mount Rogers National Recreation Area provides endless opportunities for fun and relaxation in the nature setting. The Campground will be closed until further notice due to facility repair needs. Opossum Loop will be open for tent campers. There will be no available water. No Dump Station available.
Facilities
All sites have a fire ring with a cooking grate, lantern post, picnic table, and tent pad. Domestic pets are allowed as long as they are attended and kept on a leash no longer than six feet. Standard electric sites have 30 amp service and a water hook-up. PLEASE NOTE ALL CAMPSITES IN COTTONTAIL AND GROUNDHOG DEN WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. NO AVAILABLE WATER IN OPOSSUM, COTTONTAIL, AND GROUNDHOG DEN LOOPS.
Natural Features
At 3,800 feet, Grindstone is surrounded by mixed hardwoods, hemlock and rhododendrons. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area spans 200,000 acres of National Forest, with four wildlife-rich wilderness areas.Recreation
The area offers excellent hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting. Recommended hiking trails include the Mount Rogers Trail at 7.5 miles and the Whispering Waters Nature Trail at 0.6 miles.Several streams pass by just beyond the campground, with trout fishing available in abundance.
The campground boasts a water play area in the creek, an amphitheater, a playground and volleyball courts to entertain families.
Nearby Attractions
The Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, which traverses more than 50 miles with views of forestland and open rural countryside, is accessible nearby.Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (276) 783-5196.Important Notices
Due to maintenance at Grindstone campground, the facility will be closed for the 2026 season. We apologize for any inconvenience.
All Camping Loops are closed for the season.
The overnight parking and day-use visitors area are closed.
All bathhouses and the trailer waste disposal station are closed.
There are no water, sewer, or electric sites available.
- Click here for more information on George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Notifications and Alerts
Grindstone Campground and its parking area will be closed for the 2026 Season. This closure is due to the replacement of aging infrastructure at Grindstone.
Alternative parking
Across from Fox Creek Horse Campground 36.696628, -81.5326411
At the Mount Rogers Trailhead 36.689230, -81.532605
Please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/gwj/recreation/camping-cabins/ for information and updates on camping in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest.
Available Activities
- Day Use Area - Day Use Area
- Hiking - Hiking
- Fishing - Fishing
- Camping - Camping
- Biking - Biking
- Scenic Drive - Scenic Drive
Directions
From Marion, Virginia, take exit 45 to Highway 16 south. Continue for 17 miles, then turn right onto Highway 603. After 6 miles turn left into the Grindstone Campground entrance.
Contact Information
1946 Laurel Valley RoadTroutdale, VA 24378
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 057, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 060, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 026, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 094, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 065, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 028, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 058, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 027, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 077, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 010, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 093, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 072, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 084, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 090, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 054, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 036D, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 080, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 092, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 071, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 055, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 098, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 097, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 096, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 076, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 083, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 087, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 068, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 061, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 030D, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 067, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 018, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 095, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 040D, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 056, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 063, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 088, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 089, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 085, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 091, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 005, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 025, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 014, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 007, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 074, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 051, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 070, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 079, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 075, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 023, Loop COTT, Type Shelter Electric
- Site 044, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 048, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 003, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 012, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 082, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 081, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 073, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 064, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 053, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 069, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 037, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 066, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Electric
- Site 038D, Loop COTT, Type Standard Electric
- Site 015D, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 086, Loop GDEN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop OPOS, Type Standard Nonelectric
