Your first thought about the High Knob Recreation Area may be, why aren’t more people here? The highest campground in Southwest Virginia is an excellent place to find cooler temperatures in the summer. But its small size (only 14 campsites are available) and relative remoteness means that it doesn’t draw the crowds of other camping destinations. You’ll find excellent access to hiking trails in the Jefferson National Forest, but you can stay in the recreation area and take advantage well-kept trails as well. Take advantage of the 4-acre, spring fed lake to cool off—and we do mean cool, as the temperatures tend to stay low even in the summer.

What Makes It Great

Located above the city of Norton, Virginia, High Knob Recreation Area is best known for its scenic observation tower. The first original structure located at High Knob, a small log cabin, can be traced back to the 1930s.  Over the years, various other structures stood atop the mountain.  A large wooden tower was built in the 1970s and dedicated in 1978 but was later burned by arsonists. In 2014, the current (fire-proof!) tower was completed, and it remains one of the area’s biggest draws. From the top of the tower, at 4,233 feet in elevation, you can see five different states on a clear day—Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Campers can take a 1 mile trail (one-way) to the observation tower, but those visiting for just the view can drive further up the mountain and park closer to the summit. (You’ll have an easy stroll to the new tower.) In addition to the observation tower, hikers can access an expansive network of trails from the recreation area. In fact, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest has 1,925 miles of trail to explore. For dedicated hikers, here you can access the Chief Benge trail, which is a little more than 20 miles. For families, the High Knob Lake Shore Loop is, as its name suggests, a circle around the high-altitude lake that’s about a mile long.

The camping area features a bathhouse built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which has hot showers and flush toilets. A 300-foot long sandy beach on the lake is available for playing in the water, but remember that you probably won’t last too long in the lake once you cool off. Expect temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than the valley below, so it’s a comfortable spot pretty much all summer. With so few campgrounds, chances are you’ll often have the trails to yourself.

Who is Going to Love It

High Knob Recreation Area remains below the radar in this increasingly popular region of Virginia. It’s an excellent campsite for those who want to getaway from the crowds and enjoy a mountain experience. Those who like water have access to fishing, while the hike to the High Knob Trail can be a challenge for serious hikers. Shorter trails are also available for families.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

From Norton, Virginia, take US 23 to State Route 619 south. Travel approximately 4.2 miles. At the top of the mountain, you will pass State Route 237 on the right. The next gravel road on the right leads to the trailhead.