Campsite Atlas
Menu
National Park Service · Blue Ridge Parkway

Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping

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. Fishing requires a Virginia Fishing License, and the State of Virginia laws and regulations apply. The year-round campground has eight campsites.

Reservable8 sites
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Campsite 3
NPS

Campsites

Hike-in8
Total8

Amenities & rules

Pets allowedCampfires allowedTents

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.

Compiled from site-level records; individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Getting there

It really depends on where you decide to park. The closest place to park is at the end of Virginia State Road 605, also known as CC Camp Lane. State Road 605 is gravel and turns into mostly dirt near the campground parking area which is not too far past where state road maintenance ends.

Campgrounds nearby

Data source: Recreation.gov RIDB, retrieved August 30, 2026. The Campsite Atlas is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Recreation.gov or any federal agency. Always confirm critical details on the official Recreation.gov page before you travel.