Site Open

Elk Garden Trailhead

Spectacular views for motorists and a prime trailhead for hikers and horseback riders, Elk Garden is one of the most popular trailheads in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. From this location, visitors can access the Appalachian Trail, Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, and the Elk Garden Trail. The trailhead is a short drive from Whitetop Mountain Road, the highest elevation public road in Virginia.

Active Alerts

Prohibitions in designated recreation sites

General Information

Open year round

Day use only: open sunrise to sunset

Horse owners need to have a current negative Coggins test certificate for any horse that they take to a public place for recreational use in Virginia. Commercial shuttles must have special use permit.

No camping.

No Fee

Shuttle service for hiking trails:

Mount Rogers Outfitters

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 36.65859

Longitude: -81.59455

Directions

From 1-81: Take Exit 35 at Chilhowie, Virginia and take State Route 762 (Whitetop Road) past Hardees. Follow SR 762 for about 3.7 miles and go straight through a 4 way intersection (blinking yellow light) onto St. Clairs Creek Road and follow this road for about 4.1 miles to Whitetop Road. Take a left onto Whitetop Road and go about 5 miles to Elk Garden Parking Area on the right.