North of Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground starting at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 167 is Rocky Knob Recreation Area. For its overlooks, picnic areas, campground and fifteen miles of hiking trails, Rocky Knob makes for an equally enriching destination as it does a quick stop.

Overlook

My husband and I had the chance to stroll along parts of the easier trails on a January day a couple of years ago. We first stopped at the Twelve O’clock Knob overlook and marveled at the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. After enjoying the view, we decided to try out one of the trails. We walked across the parkway toward the visitor’s center and found the Black Ridge Trail, a three-mile, moderate loop. The views of the countryside, mountains and woods were worth the walk even in the winter.

This year, our son visited Rocky Knob in September when the mountains were green and lush. Like us, he first stopped and took in the magnificent views from the overlook. He used the sign there to map out his hike. He also snapped a picture of the sign, which is a good practice. The sign is more detailed than some of the printed or online trail maps he found.

Trails

From the overlook, he noted that you can walk across the grass toward the line of brush to a trailhead. If you go left, you’ll be heading down the Rock Castle Gorge Trail, which is a moderate to strenuous 10.8 mile loop that changes in elevation from 3,572 feet to 1,700 feet. At the higher points of the trail, hikers pass by the Rock Castle Gorge and Saddle overlooks as well as Rocky Knob. Our son enjoyed seeing the vistas from these different points of interest and reading the educational plaques at the overlooks. At the lower points, the trail goes by Little Rock Castle Creek and through a boulder field. There is also a back-country, primitive campground. Interested campers can obtain a permit at the Rocky Knob Campground.

Going right from the trailhead at the Twelve O’clock Knob overlook, you’ll be on a stretch that combines the Rock Castle Gorge Trail and the Black Ridge Trail. You can also pick up the Black Ridge Trail by crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway as we did. Walk past the visitor’s center to find the trailhead. You’ll also see parking, the picnic area, and the 1.6 mile trail that encircles it.

All the trails are clearly marked with blazes on trees or posts in the ground. You’ll find forest enclosed walks surrounded by vegetation with the surrounding mountains peeking between the trees. Other times, the hike takes you through hardwood forests, aspen stands, groves of mountain laurel and pasture land. 

More to See and Do

The Smart View picnic area and 2.6 mile trail is further north at milepost 154.5. The campground is close to milepost 161 and has a total of 100 sites (44 can be reserved ahead of time using recreation.gov and 62 are first-come-first-serve).  There are tent and RV sites that all have a picnic table, lantern pole and fire ring/grill. Sites do not have water, sewer or electrical hookups. There are no showers, but there is a comfort station and a dump station.

Rocky Knob Recreation Area is not far from Mabry Mill, which is one of the most well-known and photographed stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Meadows of Dan. It’s also on the way to Roanoke, VA. With views, trails, camping and picnicking, it’s a recreation area that you’ll want to visit again and again.

Click to learn more about other places to hike near Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground.