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George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, VA

PandS
Explorer
Explorer
We'll be coming through VA over 4th of July weekend in our new 43 foot motor home. We'd like to stop for two nights, but all of the private campgrounds require a 3 night stay. The Grindstone campground in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, off of Rt 81, has a lot of openings with plenty of spots large enough for the RV. The place seems to have great reviews. We're concerned about how step the roads will be getting into the campground, and then about how step the various sites may be at the campground. Does anyone have any experience with this area?
4 REPLIES 4

Woodtroll
Explorer
Explorer
You're most welcome! Have fun and safe travels!
2003 F250XL 4WD 7.3L Crewcab LB, 6 speed; Prodigy brake controller; Big Tex grille guard/ deer deflector. Canoe hauler and camping truck extraordinaire!
2003 Layton 242 Scout- Extra batteries, solar panels, LED lighting, and propane for boondocking.

PandS
Explorer
Explorer
Thank you both for your replies, and all the info! I think we'll reserve a spot. We'll be looking for some quiet time relaxing after a busy week, and before completing the drive home. The ponies sound very interesting! We'll be towing a Honda CRV, so we can take that to go see them.

Woodtroll
Explorer
Explorer
Grindstone is a fair distance off I-81 (about 25 miles and 40 minutes or so), with a couple relatively steep, curvy, but short grades to pull on Rt. 16 between the interstate and Troutdale. Nothing that should cause you any concern though, just something to be aware of since you asked. Rt. 16 is a wide two-lane "highway"-type road.

Rt. 603, which takes you from Rt. 16 in Troutdale to the campground, is narrower than 16 and curvy in places (more of a "country road") but is paved, and is no problem if you take your time. It basically follows the creek valley down, so no real grades to speak of. Lots of camper and horse trailer traffic on this road, never saw anyone having any problems.

Grindstone campground sits in the bottom of the same valley right at the foot of the mountains, and overall is relatively flat for this part of the country. Some sites do have a little pitch to them, but you should be able to find multiple suitable spots with no problem most times. I am pretty sure you can reserve site-specific in Grindstone, so take some time to look at the pictures and maps on the Reserve America site, which allows you to search for sites by length, etc. and will show you a photo of the sites. Most of the time you could "walk-in" and get a good site, but the 4th of July weekend will usually fill up. I would definitely recommend reserving a site that weekend.

Grindstone is a great campground, well maintained and lots of shade. Since you will be in the area a while, think about checking out the wild ponies at Grayson Highlands State Park, although the route from Grindstone to Grayson Highlands would be a little more of a challenge than the road in, but still definitely doable.

Good luck, safe travels,
Regan
2003 F250XL 4WD 7.3L Crewcab LB, 6 speed; Prodigy brake controller; Big Tex grille guard/ deer deflector. Canoe hauler and camping truck extraordinaire!
2003 Layton 242 Scout- Extra batteries, solar panels, LED lighting, and propane for boondocking.

kohldad
Explorer III
Explorer III
I don't think you will have a problem from what I hear, as I've never been there. But I have been to Bear Tree just down the road and you would not have any problems there, if you come in from the Grindstone direction. The road up from Damascus isn't that bad up to Bear Tree, but is a bit curvy.

While in there area, if you like riding bicycles, make sure you check the VA Creeper Trail. For about $17 each, they will rent you a bicycle and carry you up to the top where you can enjoy a 17 mile downhill coast. The last 3/4 mile you have to peddle but it's almost perfectly flat.
2015 Ram 3500 4x4 Crew Cab SRW 6.4 Hemi LB 3.73 (12.4 hand calc avg mpg after 92,000 miles with camper)
2004 Lance 815 (prev: 2004 FW 35'; 1994 TT 30'; Tents)