Campsite at Whitetop Mountain Road

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#1

I’m planning a Labor Day weekend hike on the AT starting at Fox Creek Trailhead VA 603 on Saturday and ending at Damascus on Tuesday. My map shows a camping area and spring at VA 89 which is Whitetop Mountain Road. To equalize the miles and avoid a really long hike - I don’t think I can make it to Lost Mountain Shelter Sunday - I’m thinking about stopping there. Could anyone who knows the area provide me information about this site? Since it’s near a road I’m mainly interested to know if it’s a local party spot. Thanks.

Locomotive Breath

#2

Loco - you can camp at the spring which is about 1/10 mile south of Whitetop road. Also there are campsites in the woods just north of the road. I don’t believe it is a party spot - most people would drive to the top rather than stopping here. - My suggestion would be to water up and continue about 1/2 mile up the hill to Buzzard rock & camp

goldbond

#3

Agree with goldbond…one of my favorite places to camp anywhere. That’s a fairly easy hike from there to Buzzard rock and worth the walk. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been there but I didn’t see any party signs…except my own…haha.

Doc Holiday

#4

I camped there last year, was beautiful. I seem to remember a spring right next to trail as you head northbound, before crossing the road that leads to the top, no more then 1/8th mile or so from road or so. Lots of camping area in both open and edge of woods (cleared areas in woods), lots of old ruins of various buildings about, several “fire pits” in the open area… spectacular sunsets…Doc Holiday and Goldbond are right on the favroite places list, it is nice…

The road continues farther up to teh top, but there is a small parking area too, near the open land (3/4 way to top).

-xtn :boy

airferret

#5

If hiking SOBO, which you will be, you’ll see some obviously used campsites on your left as the AT levels out not far from the road crossing. THESE sites are the “party spots.”

If you cross the road and continue SOBO 0.2 mi. on the AT, you’ll see a piped spring nearby down the hill to your left. I’d water up here, then continue 0.5 mi. to the Buzzard Rock area to tent. As mentioned above, it is prime camping.

Of course Buzzard Rock’s an exposed area so watch the weather forecasts and sky. If it looks bad, especially if there might be high winds and/or thunderstorms, I’d continue south and camp somewhere not so exposed. Unfortunately, really good tentsites near water are quite a hike further south from Buzzard Rock (about 2.5 mi. to the vicinity of VA601 as I recall), so you’ll have to make a choice between a not-so-good site and hiking further than you want to that day.

Skyline

#6

Thanks to all ya’ll. This is just the info I was looking for. Buzzard Rock sounds like the place to be. Here’s hoping for good weather.

Locomotive Breath