{"id":21261,"date":"2024-02-08T19:38:15","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T19:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitabingdon.org\/?p=21261"},"modified":"2026-02-27T13:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T18:59:12","slug":"10-tips-from-locals-on-how-to-make-the-most-of-a-mini-vacation-in-southwest-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/blog\/10-tips-from-locals-on-how-to-make-the-most-of-a-mini-vacation-in-southwest-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips from Locals on How to Make the Most of a Mini-Vacation in Southwest Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

10 Tips from Locals on How to Make the Most of a Mini-Vacation in Southwest Virginia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Featuring a landscape dappled with mammoth swaths of wilderness, laced with free-flowing rivers, and crowned by high peaks\u2014including the loftiest summit in the state, 5,728-foot Mount Rogers\u2014southwest Virginia is like no place else in the state. For outdoor lovers, this ruggedly wild corner of the state is not to be missed, but the bounty of recreational opportunities can be overwhelming. Luckily, we have the inside scoop from locals in the know\u2014including outdoor outfitters, trail clubs, and thru-hikers\u2014 offering some of the best bets for an adventure-filled mini-vacation in southwest Virginia.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

1. Epic Day Hikes<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

“If I were to pick just one long, all-day hike, I would choose the\u00a0Channels State Forest<\/strong><\/a>,” says Karen Moore of the\u00a0Highlands Ski and Outdoor Center<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in Abingdon, Va. \u201cPark off Route 80 and hike to the fire tower. At the top of the mountain, there are crevices in the sandstone and on a hot day it is natural air-conditioning down in the maze under the rocks. This is a jewel.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

2. Secret Spaces<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

One of most stunning anomalies on the Appalachian Trail is in southwest Virginia.\u00a0Burke\u2019s Garden<\/strong><\/a>, also known as “God\u2019s Thumbprint” is a massive crater, 5 miles wide and 10 miles long that from an aerial view does indeed resemble a thumbprint. The Appalachian Trail traces the ridges ringing the crater for 8 miles, and for thru-hikers, the Chestnut Knob shelter provides stellar views of Burke\u2019s Garden.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

3. High-Country Rambles<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"The\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Backpacking at Grayson Highlands State Park | red, white, and black eyes forever |<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

4. Clandestine Crags<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Experienced climbers can head for the recently reopened\u00a0Hidden Valley Climbing Area<\/strong><\/a>. Closed in 2004 after concerns about vandalism, thanks to joint-efforts of the\u00a0Access Fund<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Carolina Climbers Coalition<\/strong><\/a>, the area reopened in 2014. Featuring nearly a mile of scalable sandstone bluffs, reaching heights of nearly 70 feet, the area includes almost 200 routes, primarily sport climbs peppered with traditional and mixed routes, with grades ranging from 5.5-5.13 (the bulk being 5.10s, 5.11s and 5.12s). Access permits required for the climbing area can be acquired\u00a0online<\/strong><\/a>. For even more information, Gus Glitch has recently written guidebook to the climbing area,\u00a0Hidden Valley Rock Climbs<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

5. Trail Magic<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Some of the Appalachian Trail's best views are in Southwest Virignia | Dzmitry (Dima) Parul |<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Itching to tackle a spectacular stretch of the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail? Head for the high-country of southwest Virginia. “I had a lot of magic from trail angels in southwest Virginia,” says Tommy Safranek, an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and ranger with the National Park Service. \u201cThe community really supports the Appalachian Trail.\u201d For thru-hikers in the region, Safranek suggests planning an overnight at the Partnership Shelter, just outside the town of Marion. \u201cIt\u2019s really well-built, and because it\u2019s just outside town, you can even have pizza delivered.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

6. Local Strummers<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Music is a cornerstone of Appalachian culture\u2014and southwest Virginia is one of the best places to experience the region\u2019s rich heritage. The region is home to the Crooked Road Music Trail<\/strong><\/a>), a 330-mile driving route showcasing Appalachia\u2019s rich musical tradition that links performing venues, local musicians, roadside exhibits, and more than 50 towns.\u00a0Heartwood<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in Abingdon, Va., is part of the Crooked Road Trail and features live music every Thursday, including open jam sessions three times a month. For a low-key event, catch the Saturday night jam at\u00a0Capo\u2019s Music Store<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in Abingdon. Moore also recommends the\u00a0Carter Family Fold<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in Hiltons. The nonprofit is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Carter family\u2014the “first family” or country music\u2014and offers performances on Saturday nights.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

7. Paddle an Ecological Treasure<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Paddling on the Clinch River, which is filled with diverse plant and animal life. | Clinch River |<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Running through southwest Virginia for 135 miles, the Clinch River is one of the most unique waterways on earth. Once explored by Daniel Boone, the river is known for its ecologically diversity. According to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Clinch is now home to more than 50 different species of freshwater mussels\u2014more than any other waterway on the planet. The plethora of aquatic life also makes the Clinch the most biologically diverse river in the country, and the abundance of freshwater mussels also contributes to water quality, as the tiny bivalves act as sediment filters. The Clinch even attracts snorkelers. Paddlers can hit the water courtesy of a number of access\u00a0<\/strong>sites<\/strong><\/a>, including Mathews Park, in St. Paul.\u00a0Clinch River Adventures<\/a><\/strong>) in St. Paul, can organize and outfit paddling or float trips on the river. Locals celebrate the waterway at the\u00a0Clinch River Days Festival<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0the first week in June.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

8. Wonderful Wildlife<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Birders, anglers, and wildlife lovers should head to\u00a0Laurel Bed Lake<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0at Big Tumbling Creek. “The fishing is great and there are places you can camp or horseback ride,” Moore says. “This is spectacular country, rivaling scenes out west. Waterfalls, rare plants, bears and cubs, eagles, snakes, and beavers. I\u2019ve been camping and playing there since I was in college at Emory & Henry.” The area is also easily accessible, ideal for car campers or family weekends. For birders, the woodlands fringing the lake are a hub for songbirds, including colorful rarities like black-throated blue warblers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

9. Winter Wonderland<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
The highlands of Southwest Virginia is the one part of the state that regularly gets snow in the Winter. | Virignia State Parks |<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

10. A Night at the Corral<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Scales<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is the high country between Massie\u2019s Gap and Elk Garden on the Appalachian Trail. The area was used by ranchers for grazing cattle early in the 20th century, and because the animals were weighed in the highlands, before making the pound-shedding trek back down, the area has long been known as “The Scales.” It\u2019s a great spot for camping, especially in \u201cthe corral\u201d when the highbush blueberries are ripe in August. Blackberries are also abundant. Even if you don\u2019t find any berries, the panoramic views are among the best in the state.<\/p>

Originally written by RootsRated for AbingdonVA.<\/p>

Featured image provided by\u00a0Dzmitry (Dima) Parul<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

10 Tips from Locals on How to Make the Most of a Mini-Vacation in Southwest Virginia Featuring a landscape dappled with mammoth swaths of wilderness, laced with free-flowing rivers, and crowned by high peaks\u2014including the loftiest summit in the state, 5,728-foot Mount Rogers\u2014southwest Virginia is like no place else in the state. For outdoor lovers, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":22617,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[255,265,256],"tags":[91,109,111],"class_list":["post-21261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions","category-blog-and-itineraries","category-outdoors","tag-adventure","tag-highlights","tag-vacation"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21261"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21261\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitabingdonvirginia.com\/stagingprop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}