Raccoon Branch Campground
Raccoon Branch Campground, nestled at the base of Dickey Knob, offers scenic mountain views, hiking trail access from campsites and cool mountain streams. Campers can access Dickey Creek and the Raccoon Branch from the campground. The most notable time to visit is fall, when the trees boast gorgeous fall foliage. With a location just 11 miles from Interstate 81, the beautiful campground is easily reached by drivers heading out from one of the surrounding cities.
More like this: electric hookups in Virginia · reservable in Virginia · big rigs in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Standard with electric | 5 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
17 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | No | 8 / 2 | |
| 010 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 30 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
Every site accommodates RV or tent camping and five campsites have electric hookups. Perks of the campground include flush toilets, drinking water, paved roads and spurs and a dump station. There are no showers. A volunteer host is onsite to welcome visitors and offer advice on the region.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | mid-April to late-November |
| Forest | George Washington & Jefferson National Forest |
| Booking | Camping available on first-come, first-served basis. |
| Fees | $20 per site per night. $7 hookup fee. |
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-81, take Marion exit 45 onto Virginia State Route 16 South. Follow SR 16 South for approximately 13 miles to the campground on the right.
| Nearest town | Sugar Grove, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 36.7475° N, 81.4247° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 10.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Damascus Outfitters ↗ | 21.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 33.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Raccoon Holler Campground - Blue Ridge Parkway Hidden Gem!
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miRaccoon Branch0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.1 miDickey Knob2.3 mi trail · hiking
- 2.2 miMullins Branch2.5 mi trail · hiking
- 2.3 miBobbys0.8 mi trail · hiking
- 2.5 miHickory Ridge0.6 mi trail · hiking
- 2.7 miSugar Hollow Pond0.09 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Raccoon Branch Wilderness begins about 0.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.6 miRaccoon Branch Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 4,225 acres
- 4.7 miLittle Wilson Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,461 acres
- 7.1 miLewis Fork Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 6,071 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Henderson Building, Southwestern State HospitalBuilding · Marion · 7.6 mi
- Southwestern State Hospital Tubercular BuildingBuilding · Marion · 7.6 mi
- R. T. Greer and CompanyBuilding · Marion · 7.8 mi
Natural features
The campground is at an elevation of 2,880 ft. along a large grassy area, surrounded by pines, hardwoods and rhododendrons. Perched in the Appalachian Mountains, Raccoon Branch is part of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, a 200,000-acre stretch of designated wilderness areas.
Recreation
The beautiful Dickey Knob Trail takes hikers through a Wilderness to the top of Dickey Knob for spectacular views of Sugar Grove and Rye Valley. The creek provides a setting for wading and fishing.
Nearby
Hike the Appalachian Trail, which extends more than 2,175 miles throughout the Appalachian Mountains across 14 states. The trail was designated as the first National Scenic Trail. The Virginia Creeper Trail, Hungry Mother State Park and Grayson Highlands State Park are nearby.
Guidebooks for Virginia
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Raccoon Branch Campground?
Sites at Raccoon Branch Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Camping available on first-come, first-served basis. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Raccoon Branch Campground?
$20 per site per night. $7 hookup fee.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Raccoon Branch Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Raccoon Branch Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season mid-April to late-November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Raccoon Branch Campground have?
20 sites, including 12 standard sites without power and 5 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Raccoon Branch Campground?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Raccoon Branch Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Raccoon Branch Campground?
Perks of the campground include flush toilets, drinking water, paved roads and spurs and a dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Raccoon Branch Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Raccoon Branch Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Raccoon Branch Campground?
The beautiful Dickey Knob Trail takes hikers through a Wilderness to the top of Dickey Knob for spectacular views of Sugar Grove and Rye Valley. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Raccoon Branch Campground?
Sugar Grove, Virginia. Hike the Appalachian Trail, which extends more than 2,175 miles throughout the Appalachian Mountains across 14 states.
Source: Getting there
What if Raccoon Branch Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Hurricane Campground (3.9 mi), Old Virginia Group Horse Camp (5 mi), and Fox Creek Horse Camp (5.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby