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Grindstone Campground Introduce

Grindstone Campground is a charming and secluded camping destination nestled in the scenic mountains of Troutdale, Virginia. Known for its peaceful environment and rustic charm, this campground offers a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether you're pitching a tent, parking your RV, or enjoying a stay in one of their limited tent sites, Grindstone Campground provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature.

The campground features a mix of campsites, including some that are currently closed due to ongoing infrastructure improvements. For those seeking seclusion, the open loop of campsites offers a quiet and private experience, with clean pit toilets adding to the overall pleasant stay. The lack of phone service further enhances the immersive wilderness experience.

Grindstone Campground is part of Grindstone National Recreation Area, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. While some areas may appear deserted due to long-term infrastructure projects, including a planned overhaul of the aging sewage and water systems, visitors can still enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor activities available in the area.

  • Secluded Campsites: Perfect for those seeking privacy and tranquility in nature.
  • Clean Facilities: Pit toilets are well-maintained and clean during visits.
  • Natural Setting: Surrounded by scenic mountains and lush forests, ideal for hiking and exploration.

Customer feedback highlights both the positive and challenging aspects of Grindstone Campground. Many visitors appreciate the seclusion and natural beauty, while others express concerns about the limited infrastructure and ongoing improvement projects. Despite these challenges, most agree that the campground holds potential as a popular camping destination once improvements are completed.

Location

Customer Reviews

4.0
81 reviews
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Kelsey Pabin
Jun 09, 2024

Large portion of the campground is closed currently. But the loop of campsites that are open are pretty secluded from each other and nice sites! Pit toilet was very clean during our visit and the campground was not very busy. Overall enjoyed our stay! No phone service.

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Jennifer Haymore
Aug 27, 2023

It's very depressing driving through Grindstone (Federal Park) now because it looks absolutely deserted. We've camped here several years ago & loved it, so while we were staying at Grayson Highlands (VA State Park), we wanted to visit an old favorite. OMG, the Feds have let us down... dropped the ball. After research, we see they are planning to replace the sewage/water system since it's about 50 yrs old. Also, appears it will take them YEARS to accomplish this. As other reviews stated, there are a few tent sites, but we didn't feel comfortable getting out of our car. It's 😔 !!

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Rachel B
Dec 01, 2022

Note that only cash or check payments are accepted. 50% discount available with interagency annual pass. I’ve camped here several times. It’s a great launching point for backpacking in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, especially if, like me, you’re driving in from a distance. This is a fairly quiet campground without a ton of amenities, although what is available is nice. Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table. During the regular season, there is potable water, restrooms, showers, and some sites have electricity. There is a playground area, a volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, a shallow swimming area formed by the stream, and even an amphitheater (not sure if it’s ever used for anything). There’s even a basketball goal (without a net, though). If you feel like going on a stroll, try the Whispering Waters trail (located at the end of the parking lot area). It’s a half-mile trail that winds along the stream for a good portion. A couple steep sections, but generally fairly easy.

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Elli Rickert
Sep 04, 2018

We loved this campground! The staff on site were extremely friendly and helpful! After checking in and getting settled one gentleman who helps maintain the campground came to our campsite on his golf cart selling firewood very cheap! This was great service as we did not have to make our way up to purchase more since he came to us! He helped explain where everything was in addition to the map we had of the campground. The bathrooms are kept very clean and have hot water! Our campsite was next to others however there are enough trees between sites to provide some privacy. We loved camping here and will be back!

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Tara Goode
Aug 13, 2019

One of the most beautiful campgrounds we’ve stayed at! We had a double site, which was fantastic for a small group - long drive for multiple vehicles, plenty of room for a pop up and tents, electric and water at site, two picnic tables, and fire ring. And the sites were wooded and a bit spread out so we weren’t on top of the neighbors! Beautiful tree canopy and huge rocks in the campground; really felt like we were in another world. There was even a path through the woods back to the creek right at our site, and we could hear the creek at night; very soothing. The campground also features a really unique splash pool for kids (filled by the creek) and a lush hiking trail within the campground; perfect for a morning hike before you head out for the day (which you will want to do - Grayson Highlands is not to be missed). Bathhouse was fine; functional and well-lit. No camp store, but ice and wood available at the office. The folks staffing during our visit were lovely. And there’s a trail to Mt Rogers right from the campground; can’t beat that! A word of caution - this is a fairly remote campground. There’s no Walmart nearby to run to in the middle of the night. Be sure you have what you need with you so you can relax and enjoy your trip.