{"id":21201,"date":"2024-02-07T19:57:32","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T19:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitabingdon.org\/?p=21201"},"modified":"2026-02-27T13:40:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T18:40:30","slug":"the-11-best-ways-to-while-away-the-summer-in-southwest-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/blog\/the-11-best-ways-to-while-away-the-summer-in-southwest-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"The 11 Best Ways to While Away the Summer in Southwest Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The 11 Best Ways to While Away the Summer in Southwest Virginia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Southwest Virginia is the perfect place to while away the spring and summer. Bestowed with the state\u2019s loftiest peaks, expansive wilderness areas, and a large chunk of the massive Jefferson National Forest, the southwest corner of the state is loaded with potential for outdoor adventure. The area is also a cultural hub, offering everything from artisan-fueled markets to legendary performing venues like the Barter Theatre. There are plenty of ways to spend to the sun-kissed days of spring and summer in Southwest Virginia, but these are a few of the best.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Head for the Backcountry<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Blanketed by a generous swath of the Jefferson National Forest, dappled with an eclectic patchwork of wilderness areas, Southwest Virginia is a veritable backpacker\u2019s buffet\u2014with plenty to offer trail-lovers after more than a mere day hike. Just north of Marion, Virginia, the rugged\u00a0Beartown Wilderness<\/strong><\/a> showcases one of area\u2019s most singular anomalies: Burke\u2019s Garden, a four mile by seven-mile crater framed by 4,710-foot Garden Mountain. South of Marion, the\u00a0Lewis Fork Wilderness<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and smaller\u00a0Little Wilson Creek Wilderness<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0offer access to less-frequented trails and a string of peaks, including 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, the state\u2019s highest summit. Lewis Fork and Little Wilson Creek wildernesses are both part of the 200,000-acre\u00a0Mount Rogers National Recreation Area<\/a><\/strong>, a lofty portion of the Jefferson National Forest. The area is laced with more than 500 miles of high-country trails, including 60 miles of the Appalachian Trail.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Flavors of the Season<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Usher in warmer weather, longer days, and the seasonal rotation of flavors in Southwest Virginia. First peruse the bounty of fresh, locally sourced offerings available at the\u00a0Abingdon Farmers Market<\/a><\/strong>. In addition to the local harvest, the market also features crafts produced by local artisans, including handmade soaps, candles, and home decorations. From the third weekend in April through Thanksgiving the market is open two days a week\u2014on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. After the market, head over to the\u00a0Wolf Hills Brewing Company<\/a><\/strong>. Trade the heavy stouts and porters of winter for light, crisp warm weather brews like the White Blaze Honey Cream Ale, the Blackberry Wheat, or the Creeper Trail Amber Ale. The brewery also plays host to a regular entertainment line-up, including everything from live music to trivia nights.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A post shared by Wolf Hills (@wolfhillsbrewing)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>