While the Appalachian Trail receives most of the attention, there are several other trails and parks in the Washington County region. So, for those who wish to venture off the beaten path, here are six places to enjoy a day hike in the region.
Grayson Highlands State Park
Tucked between Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, Grayson Highlands offers views of the surrounding 5,000-foot-high peaks. Hiking trails within the park lead to waterfalls and scenic overlooks, but the main attraction is the park’s wild ponies. There are also trails for mountain biking and horseback riding.
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
The options at Mount Rogers are as expansive as the recreation area itself, with more than 400 miles of trails located within the approximately 200,000 acres of national forest land. Popular attractions include the same herd of wild free-ranging ponies, massive rock formations and the highest elevation road in Virginia.
Virginia Creeper Trail
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34-mile pathway stretches from Abingdon through Damascus and onto Mount Rogers. The trail crosses nearly 50 wooden trestles and passes a diverse landscape, ranging from open farmland to dense forests to flowing streams. In 2014, the trail was inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame.
Salt Trail
One of the easiest ways to enjoy the great outdoors is along the Salt Trail, which runs for nearly 9 miles from Glade Spring to Saltville in Smyth County. This trail is mostly flat as it passes through both woodland and farmland, making it ideal for a leisurely walk or bike ride. [The Salt Trail is another historic rail-to-trail project, and is still a work in progress.]
Mendota Trail
The Mendota Trail is a new rail-to-trail project located in western Washington County. The 12.5-mile hiking and biking corridor runs from Mendota to Bristol. [The Mendota Trail opened to the public in 2023.]
Appalachian Trail (Section Hike)
Of course, there is always the biggest trail of them all. The Appalachian Trail enters Washington County from the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, crossing the state line just south of Damascus. From there, it continues into the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the massive 1.8-million-acre Jefferson National Forest (with nearly 23,000 acres located in Washington County) before cutting across a corner of Grayson Highlands State Park.
This article, Peak Happiness, was first published in the 2024 issue of Livability magazine. Sponsored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.Learn more at Livability Washington County.
Damascus, Virginia, is the place to be for the holidays! This small-town Christmas experience is truly something special. Make Trail Town USA your one-stop shop for holiday shopping, special events, and locally grown Fraser fir Christmas trees. Gather your friends and family for a road trip and join us in celebrating A Trail Town Christmas this December.
A Trail Town Christmas checklist
Choose-and-cut your own Christmas tree from a local tree farm.
Support local: Wander downtown and shop at local businesses for high-quality, handpicked holiday gifts.
There’s a quieter side to the holidays up on the mountain, where the air is crisp and cool, and the whole hillside smells like Christmas. Our local tree farms hold a longstanding tradition for many families. Choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms are an experience all their own, complete with one-of-a-kind living trees to choose from, plus handmade wreaths, hot chocolate, hayrides, and more.
The Fraser fir, often called the “Cadillac of Christmas trees,” is native to the Mount Rogers high country, and its entire range is within only a small, high-elevation area of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. More than a quarter million Fraser fir trees are harvested and shipped from here to markets across the United States each Christmas season.
The average seven-foot Christmas tree takes about twelve years to grow from seed. A whole lot of planning goes into making the holidays special each year!
Choose-and-Cut Christmas Tree Farms
There are several choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms on the mountain near Damascus. Most of them open around Thanksgiving. Always check with the business to confirm hours before driving up; seasons and open hours vary by farm.
Tis The Season Farm
Tis the Season Farm is 11 miles from Damascus. Address: 29258 Jeb Stuart Highway Damascus, VA 24236.
Offers choose-and-cut trees, garland in 25ft or 50ft segments, wreaths of all sizes.
Hours: Opens November 1st, open daily from 11am to dark.
Blevins Christmas Tree Farm is 14 miles from Damascus. Address: 30862 Jeb Stuart Hwy, Green Cove, VA 24236.
Offers choose-and-cut trees, garland in 25ft segments, wreaths 5-48”, wreaths of all shapes including candy canes and crosses. Blevins Farm has been in business for over 20 years!
Hours: Opens on November 1st, open daily from 11am to dark.
Measure at home – A live Christmas tree looks bigger once you get it set up in your home. Measure for height and width before you come so you pick out the right size tree. Allow room for the tree stand and topper, too.
Dress warm – It can be much colder in the Mount Rogers High Country. Fraser firs grow best at higher elevations. Bring layers, boots, and gloves.
Securing the tree to your car roof – Many farms will help cut the tree, but be prepared to haul it home. Bring sturdy rope or straps to tie down the tree to your roof. A truck bed or roof rack isn’t required to get your tree home, but is a plus.
At-home tree safety – Use a tree stand and keep it refilled with water so your tree doesn’t dry out. Place your tree away from fireplaces and other heat sources.
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