Damascus Area Trail Updates

Trail Updates Around Damascus

Get the latest trail updates for alerts and trail conditions around Damascus, Virginia. Know before you go.

This is Trail Town USA. Several major trails pass through the heart of Damascus, including the Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail. From Damascus, access multi-use trails and motorized routes in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington-Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, Grayson Highlands State Park, and other public lands.

Open IN 2025 Season

View a map of open recreation opportunities in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in the 2025 season:

Virginia Creeper Trail: Open

The Virginia Creeper Trail is OPEN, from the Start to the Heart, Abingdon to Damascus, about 17 miles. Our bike outfitters are providing rental and shuttle services for the Abingdon to Damascus section. This half of the Virginia Creeper Trail remains open and unaffected throughout the 2026 reconstruction project in the national forest. Now open to e-bikes as well!

Virginia Creeper Trail: Upper Half Closed

The upper half of the Virginia Creeper Trail from Whitetop Station to Damascus saw significant damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024 and remains closed until it is rebuilt (estimated completion in Fall 2026). There is no access to the Virginia Creeper Trail past Damascus at this time.

Work Zone: Please be alert to signage and barricades on the trail, and respect trail closures, for the safety of both the public and work crews. 

Closed Trails & Developed Recreation Sites

• Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, Forest Service Trail (FST) 4575, from the Appalachian Trail steps on Highway 58 east of Damascus to the North Carolina state line just past Whitetop Station
• Appalachian Trail from Highway 58 at Straight Branch Trailhead to Grassy Ridge Road/VA 859 (Northbound miles 476.6.0 to 485.8)
• Whitetop Laurel Fishing Trail (FST 4645)
• Taylors Valley Spur (FST 4651)
• Creek Junction Trailhead
• Straight Branch Trailhead
• Whitetop Station Parking Lot and Trailhead
• Green Cove Parking Lot and Facility

The Whitetop Station Visitor Center and Green Cove Station Visitor Center remain closed as well.

Virginia Creeper Trail Groundbreaking Event

***Rescheduled to December 18th***

The Towns of Damascus and Abingdon are delighted to invite you to a groundbreaking ceremony, hosted in partnership with Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., to celebrate the kickoff of the reconstruction of the upper half of the Virginia Creeper Trail, between Damascus and Whitetop Station. Join us at the Damascus Town Park on Thursday, December 18, at 3:30pm, to celebrate this significant milestone. (updated Nov. 26)

Virginia Creeper Trail Contract Award

The U.S. Forest Service has announced the award of the design-build contract for the Virginia Creeper Trail to Kiewit Corporation of Peachtree City, Georgia. This contract, valued at $240,580,432.12, will encompass the full rebuild of the devastated upper 17-mile section of the trail between Damascus and Whitetop Station. This section of the trail remains under strict closure for the duration of the construction period, until otherwise noted. Estimated completion in Fall 2026. (posted Nov. 6)

Further updates will be shared here as they become available. Kiewit plans to share regular updates on its project website as well, linked below:

Appalachian Trail Detour

There is an Appalachian Trail closure and detour near Damascus during the 2026 season. The trail is closed for 9.2 miles, from US-58 at Straight Branch Trailhead to Grassy Ridge Road/VA 859 (Northbound miles 476.6.0 to 485.8), to accommodate construction activities on the Virginia Creeper Trail. For public safety, the Forest Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy have shared two recommendations for hikers to detour around the closed sections of trail.

A.T. Detour & Shuttle Options

Long distance hikers can bypass the closed area via other trails nearby.

• Northbound detour: Follow the Iron Mountain Trail from Damascus to the Flat Top Trail and Mount Rogers Trail. Reconnect with the Appalachian Trail at Deep Gap, 2 miles south of the Thomas Knob Shelter.
• Southbound detour: Follow the Mount Rogers Trail from Deep Gap, 2 miles south of the Thomas Knob Shelter, to the Flat Top Trail and Iron Mountain Trail. Reconnect with the Appalachian Trail in Damascus.

Alternatively, hikers can also choose to shuttle around the closed section. Recommended shuttle is from Damascus to Grassy Ridge Road/VA 859 or to US-58 at Summit Cut.

With these recommended detour or shuttle options, hikers will still get to experience the beautiful Mount Rogers High Country just north of Damascus, VA. Additionally, the Iron Mountain Trail was originally part of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail until 1972 and historic shelters remain available for overnight use.

Important Notes for multi-use

• Wear blaze orange. Hunting is allowed along the Iron Mountain Trail, including hunting with the use of dogs.
• Sections of the Iron Mountain Trail are multi-use. Stay alert and share the trail. Mountain biking, equestrian, and motorized use are allowed in some areas.

Note: This trail closure is partway between Damascus and the Whitetop Mountain/Elk Garden area. Hikers traveling between town and the Mount Rogers High Country must plan an alternate route for the 2026 season.

Grayson Highlands 2025 Season

The Hickory Ridge Campground at Grayson Highlands State Park is currently undergoing extensive renovations in the 2025 season. Closed for 2025: All campsites, yurts and the bunkhouse in Hickory Ridge, plus the Country Store. The campground is expected to reopen May 1, 2026. However, dates are subject to change. The park will remain open for day use, hiking, picnicking, and special events in 2025 and the Visitor Center will be expanding its hours. Chestnut Hollow Equestrian Campground will remain open in 2025. However, reservations are open to equestrian campers only, up until 30 days before arrival. Overnight parking for backpackers will remain open with reservations required, and backpackers must hike outside the park boundaries before setting up camp.

Whitetop Mountain Road FR-89

Whitetop Road is closed to protect public and emergency responders’ safety due to hazardous winter weather conditions. The closure took effect in mid-December 2025 and remains in effect until further notice. The closure extends from the intersection of State Route 600 to the summit of Whitetop Mountain Road (FSR 89). Whitetop Trailhead (AT Mile Post 492.8) and the Whitetop Mountain Observation Point will be closed. The Appalachian Trail will remain open where it crosses Forest Road 89/Whitetop Mountain Rd. Find alternative trail access points at the Elk Garden trailhead, 1.3 miles away, and the Beech Mountain trailhead, 7.8 miles away.

Salvage Timber Sale on Straight Mountain

A salvage timber sale is underway in the Straight Mountain area just east of Beartree Recreation Area on US-58. Motorists, please exercise caution and remain vigilant for increased logging traffic and other heavy equipment near the sale area. Work began in October 2025 and is ongoing.

beartree Lake Restoration Project

Beartree Lake has been drained so organic material can be removed from the lakebed. No fishing, swimming or paddling. The bathrooms by the beach are closed. Potable water will not be available for the remainder of the 2025 season. The picnic area is open. Portable toilets are available at the beach area parking lot, the group picnic pavilion, and the fishermen’s parking lot.

(Updated December 17, 2025)