Grayson Higlands, VA State Park 2014

4th of July Weekend  

This year we setup at site #26, about mid way between the two bath houses.  
The site wasn't very level... had the BAL leveler jacked to the MAX and still wasn't perfect.  I don't think there is a level spot (other than the tent pads) so bring lots of blocks, because you never know where you might setup, they are trying a pilot program to allow you to reserve a specific spot, but those spots are limited and not very many of them on the list.  Also they have no photos of the sites so I guess you had better take notes during your first visit...   One neat thing is that the camp host makes rounds in a gator full of ice and fire wood.   Wood is 5.00 and ice is 2.50 for 10 lbs. 
Yep, brought a fan, but never turned it on.  Daytime highs were low 70's, Night time lows in the 50's (Pretty Chilly for the 4th of July)  Word of caution, bring jackets to Grayson no matter what time of the year it is..... We ended up driving to West Jackson, NC to pick up something warm for the nights.

Got a hammock for the trip,  Hammocks seemed to be the big attraction last year for the kids.

Want to keep the kids from running off..... get a hammock and watch them fight for it.  

Meet "MR TREE" my daughters favorite spot in the campground and seemed to be the other girls as well.  There isn't much of a playground, only one swing set in an open field, guess that's what makes "MR TREE" so popular even through it isn't a Poplar... LOL   

Here are some views looking down the loop. 

A nice down hill run to build up speed on your bike.   She's off to visit her friends and Mr. Tree

Camp fire cooking.... Can't beat it.   "My favorite part of camping"

Food always brings them back.  

Last years GH camping blog....

http://ourfamilytreks.blogspot.com/2013/08/grayson-highlands-sp-va-2013.html

Hiking at the Grayson...  

Maggie Gap to the Saddle

http://ourfamilyhikes.blogspot.com/2014/07/grayson-highlands-at-2014.html

Campground to The Scales

http://ourfamilyhikes.blogspot.com/2014/07/grayson-highlands-at-campground-to.html

Creeper Trail - White Top to Damascus

Starting out at White Top Station.....

Green Cove Station was celebrating their 100 year anniversary.   1914-2014  

Decided to stop for a quick rest stop and some crayfish hunting.

Heading back..... The trail from the top to Damascus is a total of 17 miles.  If your feeling froggy,  from there you can go on another 17 to Abingdon. 

A big shout out to Creeper Trail Bike Rentals ..... There was no way I was going to be able to park in the lot where everyone else does.  They made room for me to park my truck with camper where their shuttles load.   From now on, they will be the only shuttle service I use.   A great bunch of guys and the shuttle is one of the cheapest... 15.00  to White Top Station where the trail starts. 
Here's their link...  http://www.creepertrailbikerental-shuttle.com/

Grayson Highlands SP, VA 2013



We camped at Grayson Highlands SP in VA in early August.   It is the highest campground in VA at 4000 ft and the visitors center at 5000 ft.   I would have to say that the tempature is about 10 degree's cooler up there, it made for some really nice hiking weather.  

Our site was #42, After scouting the campground I realized that this is the biggest site there.  Had plenty of room to spread out, not the most level one though.  Can't complain it was close to everything and we had plenty of privicy. 

 Twice a day the camp hosts drove around with firewood and ice for sale.  "Gotta love front door service"

Even had a path directly to the bath house

There are 2 bath houses for the campground, this is the one for the upper loop

Other Campsites

The Store, a great place to get advice on the different trails

The Playground, it doesn't look like much, but definatly a gathering place for the kids.

The Trees at the playground were a big hit with the kids. 

Hanging at the campfire

Nightly Catches -- "Mothzilla"

 "Eat More Frog Legs, Not Toads"

The Visitors Center has some pretty neat exibits of how people lived and worked "back in the day"

Some campers get pretty creative

The first day we hiked to the summit of Mt. Rodgers which is only 5.2 miles, "no problem??"

Click Here to See the Hike......

We took a day and rode the "Virgina Creeper Trail"  started at the top of White Top Mountain

 Rode 17 miles down to Damascus. 

The last day we hiked down to Cabin Creek Falls and had lunch at the base.

 Looking for fish

Down Stream 

 Good place to have a picnic

Team Work