Local Highlights

Backpacking & Hiking

Several trails pass right through Damascus, bestowing the honor of Trail Town USA. Most notably, the Appalachian Trail follows the sidewalks down main street. The Virginia Creeper Trail runs through the heart of town just two blocks south. As a result, the town’s culture is very much influenced by hiking and biking. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Cherokee National Forest surround Damascus. The nearby Mount Rogers High Country holds many of the most popular hikes. This is where you’ll find the highest peaks in Virginia: Whitetop Mountain, Buzzard Rock, and the Mount Rogers highpoint itself. Check out the hiking trails by Beartree Lake and Backbone Rock, too. 

Biking

Damascus is best-known for biking the Virginia Creeper Trail, a world-class multi-use trail belonging to the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The Virginia Creeper Trail runs 34 miles from Whitetop Station, through Damascus and toward Abingdon. Most popular is to take a local shuttle to Whitetop Station and then cruise 17 miles back to Damascus. There are several local Bike Outfitters & Shuttles in town that provide shuttles to Whitetop Station and Abingdon year-round. NEW! The Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Damascus is now open to e-bikes as well, as of December 2024. E-bikes are also permitted on National Forest anywhere that is open to motorized vehicles. 

Note: The upper half of the Virginia Creeper Trail was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. It remains closed until it can be rebuilt by the US Forest Service.

Mountain Biking & Bikepacking

There are endless miles of mountain biking trails for all skill levels around Damascus. The crown jewel, the Iron Mountain Trail, has over 20 miles of backcountry ridgeline singletrack that runs straight into downtown. Add-on more mileage with the intersecting multi-use trails and forest roads. For longer routes, check out the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail‘s multi-use sections and the new Grayson Gravel Traverse. For some serious long-distance bikepacking, set your sights on the TransVirginia Bike Route (500mi), Virginia Mountain Bike Trail (500mi), Southern Highlands Traverse (1,200mi), and Eastern Divide Trail (5,900mi).

Road Cycling & Long Distance Routes

Damascus is also a waypoint on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail and US Bicycle Route 76. There’s an abundance of road cycling along scenic back roads. 

Birding

Virginia’s Bird and Wildlife Trail features Damascus on both the Mount Rogers Loop and the South Holston Loop. Neotropical songbirds usually found nesting further north can be spotted breeding in this region. In the summer, be on the lookout for the black-capped chickadee, golden-crowned kinglet, Blackburnian warbler, and even the red crossbill and northern saw-whet owl. The Birding Listserv at the Virginia Society of Ornithology can provide research material for serious birders.

Camping

Damascus has some of the best outdoor recreation of the Southeast right in our backyard! We have public lands in every direction, from Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, to Cherokee National Forest, and Grayson Highlands State Park. Nearby camping ranges from backcountry high elevation balds to the comfort of a creekside RV park. Find your next campsite.

Dog-Friendly Downtown & Recreation

Damascus is well known for having a pet-friendly downtown, in addition to the many trails to explore. Many of our restaurants have outdoor seating and welcome friendly, leashed pets. Find pet-friendly lodging as well. Please be respectful of others and keep in mind the following:

• Dogs cannot run at large in Washington County and must remain under immediate control.
• On national forest lands, pets must always be restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation sites.
• Virginia State Parks allow pets on a 6ft leash, including at Grayson Highlands State Park and Hungry Mother State Park. Pet owners must clean up after their pets. No pets in public facilities or at designated swim areas.
• Be prepared to encounter wildlife on the trails and keep your distance, including black bears and snakes.

Festivals

There’s no shortage of summer festivals around Damascus, but by far the best known is the Appalachian Trail Days Festival. With upwards of 25,000 visitors attending each year, Trail Days is the biggest hiker festival in the world! Trail Days is a grand reunion of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers past and present. Find more local events on the town events calendar.

Fishing

A fishing destination in its own right, Damascus is at the confluence of Whitetop Laurel, Tennessee Laurel, and Beaverdam Creeks, which form Laurel Creek for a short distance and then join the South Fork of the Holston River just outside of town limits. Fishing options around Damascus cover a wide range, from roadside to remote. Just upstream of Damascus lies one of Virginia’s greatest trout streams, Whitetop Laurel Creek. Find wheelchair accessible fishing at several sites, including downtown at Laurel Creek Park, at Creek Junction Accessible Fishing Trail, and Beartree Lake. Learn more about fishing around Damascus.

Horseback Riding

There are a number of equestrian trails around Damascus as well. The 67-mile Virginia Highlands Horse Trail is a top destination. Nearby are campgrounds and trailheads accommodating horses and trailers, including Fox Creek Horse Campground about 20 miles east of Damascus.

Hunting

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area is open for hunting, in season. Many species are abundant in the national forest, including whitetail deer, turkeys, bear, grouse, and squirrels. Hunters must maintain the appropriate hunting licenses and stamps and must obey all laws and regulations. Wear blaze orange during hunting season. It is illegal to discharge a firearm from, across, or within 100 yards of any public road. This includes Forest Service roads open to private vehicles, as well as within 100 yards of a campground.

To report wildlife violations, call 1-800-237-5712.

Kayaking, Canoeing & Paddleboarding

Whitetop Laurel, Tennessee Laurel, and Laurel Creeks are popular whitewater destinations with Class II-IV seasonal flows for experienced paddlers. Downstream, the South Fork of the Holston River offers a four-season class II(III) run along the Virginia Creeper Trail. Nearby, South Holston Lake offers miles of shoreline and coves for flatwater paddling.

Motorcycles and Sports Cars

Damascus is a ride destination all on its own, as well as a popular waypoint on longer routes. The most well-known ride in the area is The Snake, US-421. Also nearby are the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, US-58, and the Back of the Dragon, VA-16. For dual-sport and adventure motorcycles, check out the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR). Drive the highest road in Virginia and take in the views on Whitetop Mountain. Follow motor routes for The Crooked Road and Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail to learn more about local wildlife, history, and culture. Learn more about motor routes around Damascus.

Photography

Photographers find a wealth of scenic beauty in the towns, forests, and waterways of the Southwest Virginia region. Photo ops abound year-round in Damascus and the surrounding area.

Trail Running

There are endless options for runners visiting Damascus. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a top pick, with smooth rail-trail tread extending 17 miles in both directions from downtown. For a more rugged feel and remote experience, check out the Appalachian Trail and Iron Mountain Trail. Local running groups include Run Damascus and the State of Franklin Track Club.

Walking

Damascus is a highly walkable small town. Downtown offers a nice change of pace that’s vanishing from many areas of the United States. The Town also boasts plenty of opportunities to take off into the woods and explore nature. With hundreds of miles of trails to choose from, walkers have plenty to explore in Damascus.