Welcome to Trail Town USA!
View the map of downtown below for lodging, dining and drinks, shopping, goods and services, public parks, and more. Stop and stay awhile in Damascus, VA. We are so glad you’re here, and you’ll find everything you need nearby.
Stop and Stay Awhile
Drop by the Damascus Trail Center for area maps, must-do activities, and local advice. Walk around downtown and shop for new outdoor gear and handcrafted goods, find indoor + outdoor seating at most restaurants, enjoy live music downtown on most weekends, grab a drink or a hand-dipped ice cream, and more.
Take the time to explore
What are the top things to do in Damascus, VA? We’re glad you asked! Most people find Damascus from the Virginia Creeper Trail and Appalachian Trail, but then they keep coming back for the friendly small-town feel, walkable downtown filled with local restaurants and shops, and busy calendar of community events. Take the time to explore all that Damascus has to offer!
Where is the Damascus Trail Center?
Damascus Trail Center
The Damascus Trail Center is our visitor center, open daily, from 10am to 5pm. (Closed on major holidays.) Look for the big blue and red building on Laurel Avenue across from Town Hall! Make the Damascus Trail Center your first stop downtown. Pick up local maps, must-do activities to add to your trip itinerary, invaluable local advice, and more.
What is happening in Damascus this weekend?
Events Calendar
Check out the Damascus Events Calendar for live music, nearby community events, and family-friendly fun. There’s always something to do in Trail Town USA!
How to I get to….?
How to Get Around Downtown
Damascus is highly walkable and bikeable and stretches just 1.6 miles from east end to west end. Once you park your car, we recommend that you travel by foot or bike as much as possible, for a park-and-ride of a different kind. If you are staying at local lodging, even better! You can walk to breakfast, shopping, and the trails right from your front door. In Damascus, your front porch is the trailhead.
- To walk to the East Side of downtown: Easy! For a shortcut, follow the Creeper Trail across Trestle 17 by the Town Pool. This will get you over to Sundog Outfitter, The Tipsy Bear, Wicked Chicken, and more.
- To bike to the Food City shopping center: Take the Creeper Trail across the street from the Caboose and it’s a quick and easy half-mile to Food City. To walk, you can also take the sidewalk up North Beaver Dam Avenue.
- To get to the Damascus Library: Head to the other end of the Town Park from the red caboose and past the playground.
- To get to the Appalachian Trail: If you’re on the brick sidewalk on Laurel Avenue, you’re on the trail! To head north, follow the Creeper Trail past Sundog Outfitter and take the stairs at the roadside spring. To head south, follow the Town Park down to the A.T. Arch and follow the white blazes up Water St.
When is the Damascus Farmers Market?
Damascus Farmers Market
The Damascus Farmers Market is open weekly on Thursday evenings, 4-7pm, May through October. Located at The Speckled Trout Outfitters Annex lot, across from Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery, for the 2026 season.
When is the Damascus Town Pool open?
Damascus Town Pool
The Damascus Town Pool is open to the public for the summer season, usually May to August. The pool is located along Trestle Street and the Virginia Creeper Trail. For the latest updates and weather-related changes, check out the Damascus Town Pool on Facebook.
What is the Passport to Damascus?
Passport to Damascus
Pick up your FREE Damascus Passport and explore the participating locations around town! Once you’ve collected a dozen (12) stamps, stop by Town Hall, the Damascus Trail Center, or the Library for your ‘Live Like A Local’ stamp and certificate.
Map of Downtown Damascus
Damascus is your basecamp for adventure
Although the upper half of the Virginia Creeper Trail remains closed in the 2026 season, Damascus has many miles of other open trails nearby! Make Damascus, Virginia your basecamp for adventure and check out some of our favorites in the region, from Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson to, one of our other neighboring rail-trails, the Mendota Trail in Bristol.
Looking to put in some big miles? Set your sights on the Appalachian Trail, Grayson Gravel Traverse, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, or TransVirginia Bike Route.
Map out more local highlights here:
Town Parks in Damascus, VA
The parks in Damascus, VA are a great place to play, relax, socialize, or host an event…as long as the weather cooperates! Damascus has several public parks which are freely open to everyone during the posted hours. The gazebo at the Town Park and stage/pavilion at Laurel Creek Park are available for groups and events, please contact Town Hall to make a park reservation.
Damascus Town Park
Damascus Town Park
Located at 202 South Beaverdam Avenue
The Damascus Town Park is the primary gathering space in town and hosts the Appalachian Trail Days Festival and more. Three trails pass through the park: the Appalachian Trail, Beaverdam Creek Trail, and Virginia Creeper Trail. The Town Park is a popular spot for picnics, group events, and trail access.
For overnight parking, please use the Wilson Street Lot. Parking info and registration.
Park Amenities: Gazebo/Stage, Playground, Picnic Areas, Creek Access, Damascus Veterans Memorial, Historic Caboose and Steam Engine, Historic Deep Gap Shelter from the Appalachian Trail, The Crooked Road Information Kiosk, Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail, Damascus History Tour, Bike-rack-friendly Day Parking, Restrooms
Laurel Creek Park
Laurel Creek Park
Located at 127 West Imboden Street
Laurel Creek Park, dedicated in memory of John P. Seymore, III, is an idyllic setting at the edge of downtown by Laurel Creek, near the Post Office and Damascus Old Mill Inn. The park is the home of the Damascus Farmers Market, open weekly on Thursday afternoons. Access Laurel Creek Park from the Virginia Creeper Trail via the Laurel Creek Connector Trail.
Park Amenities: Stage, Pavilion, Benches, Creek Access, Parking, Restrooms
Roy Wright Park & Josie’s Nature Playground
Roy Wright Park & Josie’s Nature Playground
Located across Trestle 16 from the Town Park
Come and play at Josie’s Nature Playground! Built in partnership with Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia and the help of volunteers for a local child, Josie, who wished “to add something really amazing to our town so she could make five friends!” Roy Wright Park has limited parking on-site. Access the park from the Virginia Creeper Trail and Laurel Creek Connector Trail.
Park Amenities: Nature Playground, Picnic Area
Creekside Park
Creekside park
Located just east of the Town Park on the Virginia Creeper Trail
Creekside Park, dedicated in honor of Richard Smith, is a peaceful space to rest along the Virginia Creeper Trail and Laurel Creek. The park features benches and creek access. This park is bike-in and walk-in only; no parking.
Park Amenities: Benches, Creek Access, Trout Fishing, Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail
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