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Grayson Highlands
Overview
Grayson Highlands State Park offers a unique mountain experience unlike any other in Virginia. Located near the state's highest peak, the park is renowned for its sweeping alpine vistas and rugged terrain. RVers flock here to experience the crisp mountain air and the chance to see the famous wild ponies that roam the highlands. This park provides a tranquil escape into the wilderness while maintaining essential facilities for a comfortable stay.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in Mouth of Wilson, VA, the park sits at a high elevation, offering cool summer temperatures and dramatic weather shifts. The surrounding landscape is characterized by large rock outcrops and vast meadows that resemble the high-country terrain of the western United States. It serves as a primary gateway to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, making it a central hub for exploring the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Amenities & Park Features
The Hickory Ridge Campground serves as the primary base for RV travelers. It features sites equipped with water and electric hookups, accommodating rigs up to 40 feet in length. Guests have access to modern bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets, ensuring comfort after a long day of exploring. A seasonal dump station is conveniently located on-site, and the park store provides basic supplies and firewood for cozy evenings at the campsite.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The most popular draw is hiking the trails to spot the resident wild ponies grazing in the meadows. The park provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail, offering world-class hiking opportunities for all skill levels. Outdoor enthusiasts also enjoy premier bouldering sites and scenic overlooks like the Twin Pinnacles, which provide 360-degree views of the surrounding tri-state area of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for active outdoor adventurers and photographers seeking natural beauty rather than resort-style entertainment. It is a perfect fit for travelers who prefer a scenic and rustic atmosphere where the primary focus is on hiking and wildlife observation. If you enjoy cooler temperatures and a slower pace of life amidst dramatic mountain scenery, this park will likely become a favorite stop on your journey.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
mike skiinghousedad
Off season camping at the equestrian campground. Main campground closed for upkeep. A few level sites. Better park in the huge parking area and walk down to check out your site/plan. Long way to back out of your too big to fit or make the turns to back in. Lots of trails to choose from and wild ponies 🤩
Lisa Helterbrand
Trails are easy to find and are marked very well. Park rangers are very knowledgeable and very friendly. Very dog friendly area. The little museum is very neat and interesting. There is a cabin close to the camp grounds which is very pretty area to go and see. Look out is very beautiful. The whole area is very beautiful. Very nice to see the ponies. Can't say enough about the area. Just very peaceful and beautiful. Plan on bringing a packed lunch, drinks, and snacks. Very remote area.
Karen S
Saw the docile ponies twice at Massie Gap. Walk up rhododendron trail to the AT. Beautiful views ups there! Then lucked out and saw more ponies later in the day when I went to the parking lot to use the toilet I spotted ponies right at the start of the trail! The Twin Pinnacles Trail, at the Visitors Center, was great. Pretty easy with one particularly great view. I went the first week of October and was suprised to see the massive parking lots 95percent empty! Fall foliage! It boggles the mind that there isnt an outdoors bathroom at the Visitors Center. The parking lots there had to hold hundreds and hundreds of cars. There was a sign at the visitor center saying the bathroom was out of order and directed you to drive to a couple other places with vault toilets! I walked a little bit of listening Rock Trail which is at the overlook by The visitor Center. You access it by the rock steps on a big boulder that's to the right of the overlook. Beautiful trail but rocky with ups and downs.
Rick Morgan
Wonderful place to escape to nature. Great staff, interesting visitor center and gift shop. Twin Pinnacles is an easy hike with stunning views, and Massie Gap leads to Wilburn Ridge where there are massive rock outcroppings and the wild ponies. I got the feeling that I was on top of the world!
Brian R
Incredible location for day hiking or more! Have always heard the rumor about the highland wild ponies and was pleased to have met a few on our hikes! We hiked the Twin Pinnacle Trail, Rodadendron Trail to Horse Trail North (this trail had ponies), and the Cabin Creek Trail to the waterfall. Beautiful views and honestly one of the most stunning spacious areas I've been to recently. The Horse Trail North was my favorite and pictures cannot capture the immense beauty.