Rocky Knob Recreation Area is a recreation area in Virginia, situated along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This expansive area encompasses over 4,000 acres of forest, with elevations ranging from 1,700 to 3,572 feet. Its terrain features include deep gorges, forested slopes, and open meadows, providing a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. The area is well-suited for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, and road cycling, offering a rustic and rural environment for exploration.
16
Routes
5
(1)
Average rating
100
People visited

5.0
(1)
35
hikers
5.09km
01:29
140m
140m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
616m
00:09
0m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

21
hikers
17.3km
05:27
690m
690m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
hikers
3.69km
01:07
110m
110m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
riders
36.7km
02:02
680m
680m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

34.4km
01:41
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

165km
08:55
3,080m
3,080m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3
riders
51.4km
03:05
860m
860m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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34.9km
02:14
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.46km
00:25
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10.0km
00:40
170m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

71.6km
04:53
1,220m
1,220m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Rocky Knob Recreation Area offers opportunities for hiking, touring cycling, and road cycling. The area features over 15 miles of trails and is situated along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It provides a rustic and rural environment for outdoor exploration.
Rocky Knob Recreation Area features over 15 miles of hiking trails. Notable options include the challenging Rock Castle Gorge Trail, the moderate Black Ridge Trail, and the easy Rocky Knob Picnic Area Trail. More information can be found in the Hiking in Rocky Knob Recreation Area guide.
The Rock Castle Gorge Trail is a challenging 10.8-mile (17.4 km) loop. It descends 1,500 feet (457 m) into the gorge, featuring diverse scenery, rock formations, and historical remnants. This trail is recognized as a National Recreation Trail.
Yes, Rocky Knob Recreation Area offers easier hiking options. The Rocky Knob Picnic Area Trail is an easy 1.3-mile (2.1 km) loop, suitable for leisurely strolls. The Easy hikes in Rocky Knob Recreation Area guide provides additional details.
Rocky Knob Recreation Area has trails suitable for families. The Rocky Knob Picnic Area Trail is an easy 1.3-mile (2.1 km) loop. Further family-friendly options are detailed in the Family-friendly hikes in Rocky Knob Recreation Area guide.
Rocky Knob Recreation Area is situated on the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering routes for road and touring cyclists. An easy 3.4-mile (5.5 km) paved loop is available within the campground. The Cycling in Rocky Knob Recreation Area guide provides more information.
The area encompasses over 4,000 acres of forest, with elevations up to 3,572 feet (1,089 m). Key features include the Rocky Knob mountain itself, offering panoramic views, and the Rock Castle Gorge, known for its crystalline quartz formations and diverse flora and fauna.
Elevations in Rocky Knob Recreation Area range from 1,700 feet (518 m) to 3,572 feet (1,089 m). The Rocky Knob mountain provides panoramic views from over 3,500 feet (1,067 m).
Rocky Knob Recreation Area features 6 routes across various sports, with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars. More than 300 visitors have shared their experiences on komoot.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Hiking in Rocky Knob Recreation Area, Easy hikes in Rocky Knob Recreation Area, and Cycling in Rocky Knob Recreation Area. There are also guides for family-friendly hikes and road cycling routes.
Official information for Rocky Knob Recreation Area, which is part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, can be found on the U.S. National Park Service website. Information is also available through Recreation.gov.
The Rocky Knob Campground Office can be reached at 540-745-9664 during its operational season (May-October). The Rocky Knob District Office phone number is 540-745-9660. For general reservations, contact Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777.

