Technically, the National Park Service campground at Bee Rock on the Rockcastle is open from April to October. However, there were several groups camping there over the first weekend of November.
Is camping acceptable during the off-season?
Thanks - Ellen

Honestly, I don't know and I don't remember anyone camping there during the winter last year, but they're pretty laid-back down there and the camping payments are more-or-less paid on an honor system (I don't know how well they check to make sure everyone has paid. That being said, I know that there are accessable camping spots year-round. I'm heading down Saturday, so if I remember I will find out for you.

Adam

there was a crew of BWAers about 2-3 years ago that hiked in once the gate was locked for the season. They got a visit from the Ranger that resulted in a hassle and shakedown that cost someone a pretty hefty federal Forest $ervice fine. I would say as long as the gate is open its probably free range.

I know a London District Ranger that I will try to call and find out why this is the first year they havent closed it in October and see when/if its closing. At least now the campground "hostesess" isnt there running 2 generators 24/7 and not tending to her constantly yapping dogs.

The sites on River Left going up to the boat ramp have always been open year around in the past. Are they closing those this year? There aren't very many sites on that side though.

Larry

Larry Cable

Ellen,

The campground is in its off season, but you can stay on the side that has the boat ramp. I've camped down there many times in the off season and never had an issue. Call me cheap, but I've never paid in the off season. Like others have said, I would avoid the side that has the gate. Have fun, and you should have your pick of sites although last weekend I encountered several people camping there.

Will

guys they have left the RR side open much later than usual and I myself noticed it too.
I talked to the ranger and he said that it was left open to allow the crew doing construction to park their heavy equipment behind the gate when nobody was camping there. He said BRock is closed on the Pulaski side but stays open all winter on the Laurel Co side.
I like Will have not paid to play there but again the only time I see rangers is when a hunting season is in. Never been approached by one on that side.

Great, there is year-round camping, just limit it to the river left-side.

According to “The Best Tent Camping in the US: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos” by Johnny Mallory, the campground was actually a resort called Sublimity Spring Resort Hotel in the early 1800s.
It was run by War of 1812 hero Columbus Graham who described the region as “an Eden for children, a sanitarium for invalids, a paradise for lovers, and a haven of rest for the tired.”
The cliff known as Bee Rock was once hollow. Old folk tales relate that there were so many honey bees in the area that they blotted out the sun. Their invasion of local beehives became so great that local beekeepers dynamited the cliff and destroyed Bee Rock. According to the legend, there was so much honey that it flowed down the cliff and into the Rockcastle River.
The campground also features the Old Sublimity Bridge, a historical structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. The stone used in the abutments was quarried from the adjacent sandstone cliff. The bridge has been restored and is open for foot travel only.