Campground · Blue Ridge Parkway
Glamping-to-primitive campground with trails, river access, and brewpub
Overview
Tucked just off Milepost 115 near Roanoke, Explore Park Campground is the Parkway’s Swiss‑army knife of overnights—primitive tent pads, glamping yurts, pod cabins, and RV sites—set in 1,100+ wooded acres with river frontage. It’s operated by Roanoke County and pairs the outdoor feel you came for with extras you don’t usually get at a campground.
If you like choices, this is your spot: primitive under the pines or cushy yurt life, trails out the door, the river down the hill, and a brewpub to end the day. It’s one of the Parkway’s most versatile bases.
Parkwolf’s verdictBottom LineMap
Local know-how
Reserve yurts, cabins, and RV sites early—peak months fill fast.
If the Parkway is closed, use the county’s posted alternate directions.
Bring bug spray and layers; riverside woods get buggy in summer.
RV sites are electric-only—plan to use nearby water spigots and the dump station.
Stock up on groceries in Roanoke; on-site retail is limited.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Blue Ridge Parkway. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Blue Ridge Parkway audio tourRecorded for this area
Roanoke River Overlook and Dam View“The upcoming pullout is for the Roanoke River Overlook, which offers a direct view of the river and the Niagara Dam. If you want a quick walk, a short trail network starts here.”
Plays on the road 1.5 mi from Explore Park Campground in the Parkwolf Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“…We knew we wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. The narration was impeccably timed. The facts and info provided were meaningful. Without it, the trip would not have been near as awesome.”
Guide
Trail access is right from the campground area—hiking and mountain biking are big draws here. Add in Treetop Quest (ziplines and aerial obstacles for ages 4+), disc golf, playground time, river access for paddling, and fishing. It’s an easy 15‑minute hop to Roanoke if you want restaurants or to restock.
Explore Park is on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, so bring binoculars. Expect songbirds and the usual woodland visitors around forest edges and along the Roanoke River, especially in the early morning and evening.
Wildlife
1,208 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
1,020 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
2,257 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
200 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
1,126 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
255 sightingsRed-tailed HawkMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyRoanoke River Trail0.6 mi · 45 min · 1.5 mi awayA short, hilly river-and-dam walk with a wooded loop beneath the Parkway bridge.
EasyStewart Knob Trail2.1 mi · 54 min · 4.2 mi awayShort moderate out-and-back from Stewart Knob Overlook with wooded miles and a Blue Ridge view
EasyRoanoke Mountain Woodland Trail0.4 mi · 15 min · 5 mi awayA tiny summit loop with rocky footing and broad Roanoke views.
Visitor center · At the trailheadExplore Park Visitor Center and Park StoreOrientation hub with exhibits, film, and a great park store
Scenic pullout · 1.5 mi awayRoanoke River OverlookQuick river-and-dam views with a short, choose-your-effort trail
Scenic pullout · 5 mi awayRoanoke Mountain OverlookSummit views over Roanoke via a quiet, one-way mountain loopParkwolf’s Blue Ridge Parkway ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
