Crooked Mountain Campground Hosts Events
-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on August 14, 2025.
Crooked Mountain Campground is a Veteran owned event venue and pick-your-own flower farm owned by Brian and Christy Corbett. Although the couple have lived on the property for 4-years this September, they began hosting events in 2024 and were named “Outstanding New Tourism Business of the Year” by Southwest Virginia Tourism and “Business of the Year” by the Floyd Chamber of Commerce that same year.
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, along the Crooked Road historic music trail and 4 miles from downtown Floyd, the campground caters to primitive tent camping but also accommodates car campers, motorcycle campers, bicyclists and truck campers. It features six creek-side camping sites, two pond sites and five field sites. There is a store onsite that carries basic camping and travel essentials, souvenirs, local artisan items, farm products, snacks and drinks.
“As long as the flowers are in bloom, we’re open for picking,” said Brian. Christy spoke of the many varieties of flowers they grow, primarily sunflowers and zinnia, as she clipped some for a customer with mobility issues. Flower picking begins mid-July and goes through September, Thursday – Sunday 10 am to sunset.
The Corbetts met in Missouri where Brian was stationed 20+ years ago. They have two grown children. Following Brian’s retirement from the army, they moved to Roanoke where he grew up. “We didn’t want to stay in Roanoke and started asking ‘what do we want to do?’” said Christy, who is originally from Oklahoma. “So, we started looking and came across this place and thought ‘there’s so much potential.’”
Last Sunday, August 3rd, Crooked Mountain hosted a free and open to the public Motorcycle Cruise-in. There was music, food trucks, a motorcycle dealership and a Mountain Valor Veteran Services table, headed up by Katt Whittenberger, a Navy Veteran, farmer and mother who founded and runs the non-profit that helps rural veterans access resources.
Open from early April to November, Crooked Mountain events throughout the spring and summer have included a Veterans Community Yard Sale, a bicycle event, Moto (motorcycle) Weekends, A Pickin’ Fest and Date Nights on the Farm. An upcoming Motor Maids campout is scheduled for late August, and their biggest event, Mountain Valor Fest, is set for September 13, 11am to 8pm.
Last year was the first Mountain Valor Fest and it was a hit. “We had about 700 people show up,” Brian reported. “We had so much packed in here. We had a helicopter landing, bounce houses, axe throwing, food trucks and live music.”
Sunday’s Motorcycle Cruise-in was an opportunity to raise awareness, to fundraise for Mountain Valor Veteran Services through raffle sales of donated items and to promote the Mountain Valor Fest, which will feature rows of family-focused resource booths. Live bands scheduled to play are Above the Fray, Crystal River Band and Bluedrive. Local food trucks will include The Vittle Wagon, Driftwood Catering, Food on the Go, Countryman Jamaican Grill, and 1218 Ventures.
“Mountain Valor Fest is here for you. Whether you need help understanding benefits, want to connect with others, or just need a peaceful day out with your family, you’re welcome here.” Whittenberger wrote on her Facebook page. She has stated that the Fest isn’t just for veterans. “It’s about bringing people together – veterans, families and neighbors – to recognize the meaning of service and to make sure our rural communities have the support they deserve.”
Licensed Professional Counselor Joe Klein was one of the Cruise-in attendees. His therapy practice at the Floyd EcoVillage, Be Well Now, has a focus on PTSD treatment for Veterans, first responders and others dealing with trauma. He came to make connections and to explore future collaborations with organizers. For more information check the crookedmtn.com webpage and mtnvalor.org. – Colleen Redman