Correction: Camping is prohibited around Wise Shelter as it is still within the State Park. You can either bunk IN the shelter, or move further down the trail where there are a lot of good tent and hammock sites.
If you do a quick Google search, you’ll see this referenced in quite a few places. If you reserve a spot at the backpackers parking lot, you will receive an email that has information about the prohibitions of Camping at Wise shelter, the park attendant will tell you the same if you check in, and you will also see it on some printed materials within the park.
@@Truth-Seeker75 yea I had done the quick Google search before and didn’t see anything. I have an older backpacker lot permit and it wasn’t on there and I can’t find it on the parks website. Also checked ReserveAmerica notes and nothing there. I don’t want this to come across I don’t believe you - just looking for a link I can include in the video description on the topic. Don’t expect you to hunt for one on my behalf. Guess I’ll leave it that folks can call the park if they want to confirm this.
@@SoutheastBackpacker If you’ve been there, you know there is a sign-in box at the backpackers parking lot. There is literature in the box that says overnight camping at Wise is prohibited. Also, if you’ve been to the shelter, you’d have seen the permanent metal sign in cement posted between the shelter and the bridge leading outside park property that says the same thing. It is posted all over the place. Bottom line, if someone wants to camp near Wise, just have them walk 50 yards over the bridge and outside the park property. Cross up over the hill next to the AT and there are several spots for tents and hammocks.
Awesome video. Very informative. Exactly what I was searching for. Have completed the Three Ridges loop, Priest Mountain, and Spy Rock areas. Grayson Highlands and Dolly Sods are next.
This video helps me a lot. I have been planning this loop for a hike on the weekend of Oct. 21 but really wasn't sure where I could camp. I was considering the Crest trail before and you helped me decide that I really should do this trail.
Many Thanks for this video! My wife and I are going up this weekend and we were looking to tent camp near Thomas Knob Shelter, I could not tell in video but did you say the good tent camping areas were on AT or on the Crest Trail near the Thomas Knob location?
I don’t have as much intel on tent camping but most of what I see is between Thomas Knob and Rhododendron Gap. Lots of spots between the AT and the Crest trail in that area.
Thank you, I plan On hitting this trail and was undecided on how to approach the distance and where to camp. You have definitely assisted me in what are my options.
+2 Hoosier Hikers Enjoy your upcoming trip. It is wonderful. I don't have the data in front of me. I'd recommend the Hillmap.com site here you can trace out a route and check distances. Other tools can do it as well.
Headed there next week. Can you recommend a smaller dayhike for me and my son? Maybe around 10 miles possibly. We want to be able to see a lot and some ponies
Marc Grossetti Wilburn Ridge, Crest trail, and come back Scales trail. Scales is rocky though so another option would be to come back via the AT but that is longer. Or just do an out and back. I typically check trail miles by sketching out my route on a website like Hillmap or Caltopo.
Bishop 8624 I suppose it varies depending on your condition but I don't think it is bad. Since the mileage is t bad, you can take you time and recover if needed.
Really enjoying your videos. I've watched a few of the Grayson Highlands loops you have done. I am planning a trip there soon and was wondering if you had any recommendations for a 20+ mile loop. I was thinking of completing this one www.midatlantichikes.com/mountrogersbp.htm . Any input or suggestions? I would preferably like to start at the Grayson Backpackers parking lot since that will give me the shortest drive. Thanks!
Dan l The trail junction to the summit is near Thomas Knob, which I point to around 5:17 mark. Never been myself since it is in the trees and has no views (except of the trees).
We found the long lost spring on the crest trail last week 🙂
Correction: Camping is prohibited around Wise Shelter as it is still within the State Park. You can either bunk IN the shelter, or move further down the trail where there are a lot of good tent and hammock sites.
Do you have a source / link that specifies camping is only allowed inside the Wise shelter and not around it? Just curious.
If you do a quick Google search, you’ll see this referenced in quite a few places. If you reserve a spot at the backpackers parking lot, you will receive an email that has information about the prohibitions of Camping at Wise shelter, the park attendant will tell you the same if you check in, and you will also see it on some printed materials within the park.
@@Truth-Seeker75 yea I had done the quick Google search before and didn’t see anything. I have an older backpacker lot permit and it wasn’t on there and I can’t find it on the parks website. Also checked ReserveAmerica notes and nothing there. I don’t want this to come across I don’t believe you - just looking for a link I can include in the video description on the topic. Don’t expect you to hunt for one on my behalf. Guess I’ll leave it that folks can call the park if they want to confirm this.
@@SoutheastBackpacker If you’ve been there, you know there is a sign-in box at the backpackers parking lot. There is literature in the box that says overnight camping at Wise is prohibited. Also, if you’ve been to the shelter, you’d have seen the permanent metal sign in cement posted between the shelter and the bridge leading outside park property that says the same thing. It is posted all over the place. Bottom line, if someone wants to camp near Wise, just have them walk 50 yards over the bridge and outside the park property. Cross up over the hill next to the AT and there are several spots for tents and hammocks.
Awesome video. Very informative. Exactly what I was searching for. Have completed the Three Ridges loop, Priest Mountain, and Spy Rock areas. Grayson Highlands and Dolly Sods are next.
This video helps me a lot. I have been planning this loop for a hike on the weekend of Oct. 21 but really wasn't sure where I could camp. I was considering the Crest trail before and you helped me decide that I really should do this trail.
Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about heading here next week for spring break
Andrew Sutherland Awesome. Enjoy the trip.
Many Thanks for this video! My wife and I are going up this weekend and we were looking to tent camp near Thomas Knob Shelter, I could not tell in video but did you say the good tent camping areas were on AT or on the Crest Trail near the Thomas Knob location?
I don’t have as much intel on tent camping but most of what I see is between Thomas Knob and Rhododendron Gap. Lots of spots between the AT and the Crest trail in that area.
Thank you, I plan On hitting this trail and was undecided on how to approach the distance and where to camp. You have definitely assisted me in what are my options.
+ceseijitsu fantastic. Enjoy your trip.
Many thanks for this video! Great information. I want to plan my trip in April when the spring flowers are blooming.
Thanks for your videos. I've seen a couple of yours in this area and they seem informative. I'm headed up there later this month for the first time.
thank you for making this!
Where did you get your map?
Picked it up at a local REI. Pretty sure it’s the Nat Geo / Trails Illustrated map for Mount Rogers High Country / Grayson Highlands
@@SoutheastBackpacker are you in the state of Virginia? Not sure if my REI in Ohio would have it
Hey! Hopefully, you receive my comment but what kind of water filters do you use at Grayson Highlands?
Brittany Whalen I use the sawyer filters. I started with the mini the got the regular one to improve the water flow.
What is the distance from the parking lot following the AT to the Pine Mtn Loop to the AT and back to the parking lot?
+2 Hoosier Hikers Enjoy your upcoming trip. It is wonderful. I don't have the data in front of me. I'd recommend the Hillmap.com site here you can trace out a route and check distances. Other tools can do it as well.
Like your videos with your daughter. where are you located?
2 Hoosier Hikers Charlotte NC
Headed there next week. Can you recommend a smaller dayhike for me and my son? Maybe around 10 miles possibly. We want to be able to see a lot and some ponies
Marc Grossetti Wilburn Ridge, Crest trail, and come back Scales trail. Scales is rocky though so another option would be to come back via the AT but that is longer. Or just do an out and back. I typically check trail miles by sketching out my route on a website like Hillmap or Caltopo.
what is the estimated distance from parking lot around the loop back to parking lot as you have done? we were looking at a 20 mile trip.
somewhere around 12-14 miles.
Thanks and where did you purchase that map?
+Ronald Ellis at a local REI. enjoy your trip.
Oh and how many miles.
How many miles is that loop from the parking lot?
Bishop 8624 12 to 18. I like to do side quests so tough to say exactly
I meant to ask also , is there a lot of hard climbing or elevation on these trails. Thanks again for the information, great help.
Bishop 8624 I suppose it varies depending on your condition but I don't think it is bad. Since the mileage is t bad, you can take you time and recover if needed.
Thanks again
Was that a overnight trip?
Bishop 8624 Yes 2 nights. Generally in the 12 to 18 mile range. I've posted a few videos of my trips here if u care to take a look.
Really enjoying your videos. I've watched a few of the Grayson Highlands loops you have done. I am planning a trip there soon and was wondering if you had any recommendations for a 20+ mile loop. I was thinking of completing this one www.midatlantichikes.com/mountrogersbp.htm . Any input or suggestions? I would preferably like to start at the Grayson Backpackers parking lot since that will give me the shortest drive. Thanks!
where is the summit??
Dan l The trail junction to the summit is near Thomas Knob, which I point to around 5:17 mark. Never been myself since it is in the trees and has no views (except of the trees).
Kool thank you alot:)
Going at the end of May