Steel Bridge Campground
Steel Bridge Group Campground provides old-fashioned, rustic group camping for those that require few amenities. There are three well shaded camping sites for available for small group camping.
More like this: reservable in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia · group sites in Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 3 |
Site guide
3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Pull-through | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 25 / 10 | Yes | Basic |
| Blue | Pull-through | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 25 / 10 | Yes | Basic |
| White | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There are three color coded campsites -- Red, White and Blue. "Red" and "Blue" have a maximum occupancy of 25 people and 10 vehicles per site. Larger groups must reserve more than one site. "White" campsite has a maximum capacity of 10 people and three vehicles. There is no minimum occupancy at any site. All camping must be within the designated campsites. Tents, vehicles, etc. cannot be outside the boundary of your campsites. The area adjacent to the entrance gate is for day-use only. Each group area contains a group fire ring and picnic tables. Two primitive toilets are located within the campground. There is no potable water and no hookups.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April 1 to November 1 |
| Forest | George Washington & Jefferson National Forest |
| Fees | No fees; however, camping reservations are required at recreation.gov |
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
Directions: From I-81: Take Exit 141 onto SR 419 north to SR 311. Travel north on SR 311 36 miles to Paint Bank. Take right on SR 18, and then go 3.5 miles to campground on right. All roads are paved until you reach the campground. Driving distance from I-81 is about 40 miles; estimated driving time is 1 hour.
| Nearest town | Blacksburg, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37.5984° N, 80.2274° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- It is open to ALL permit holders of the three reservable campsites and is not for overnight use.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 22 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Gander Mountain ↗ | 22 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Steel Bridge is located 5 minutes from Paint Bank, VA, and 25 minutes from New Castle, VA.
- 4.5 miPotts Slope Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
- 9.7 miFenwick Mines Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 2.6 miCove1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miHanging Rock0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.3 miPotts Arm3.9 mi trail · hiking, 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
This campground sits inside Shawvers Run Wilderness, which overlaps George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
- inShawvers Run Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,773 acres
- inGeorge Washington and Jefferson National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,487,961 acres
- 5.2 miBarbours Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,507 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is set in a narrow valley, flanked by National Forest land. Potts Crees lies adjacent to the campground.
Recreation
Steel Bridge Group Camping provides old-fashioned, rustic group and family camping. Visitors enjoy splashing in the cool water of Potts Creek that edges the campground. Potts Creek is a stocked trout stream and has a small swimming hole as well as many rock ledges and small falls to play in.
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 Steel Bridge Campground?
Sites at Steel Bridge Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Steel Bridge Campground?
No fees; however, camping reservations are required at recreation.gov
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Steel Bridge Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Steel Bridge Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 1 to November 1.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Steel Bridge Campground have?
3 sites, including 3 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Steel Bridge Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Steel Bridge Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Steel Bridge Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Steel Bridge Campground?
Steel Bridge Group Camping provides old-fashioned, rustic group and family camping. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Steel Bridge Campground?
Blacksburg, Virginia. Steel Bridge is located 5 minutes from Paint Bank, VA, and 25 minutes from New Castle, VA.
Source: Getting there
What if Steel Bridge Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are The Pines Campground (8.3 mi, first-come), Craig Creek Recreation Area (13.8 mi), and White Rocks Campground (18.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby