Explore the Forest!

The Appalachian Trail, also known as the A.T., is America’s footpath and first National Scenic Trail. Virginia hosts more A.T. miles than any other state with the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests home to 325 of the trail’s 2,190 total miles. 

The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers unique recreation opportunities with scenic rock formations, mountain balds, spruce-fir forests, and the iconic wild ponies. Within Mount Rogers, there are four wilderness areas, 400 miles of trail (including the Appalachian Trial and the Virginia Creeper Trail), eleven campgrounds, three rental cabins, and beautiful scenic roads.

The Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail occupies the bed of what was once a rugged mountain railroad between Abingdon and the Virginia-North Carolina border about a mile east of Whitetop Community. At the trail's lowest point, where it crosses South Holston Lake on a huge curving trestle, it is 2,000 feet above sea level. From there, the trail ascends 1,600 feet to reach Whitetop Station.

Sherando Lake Recreation Area is known locally as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Families enjoy picnicking in this shaded and woody area, while relaxing on the sandy beach of a 25-acre spring-fed lake. Access to multiple trailheads and rustic architecture provide numerous points of interest for families to enjoy.

Lake Moomaw is a popular outdoor recreation destination offering multiple campgrounds, swim beaches, boating ramps, fishing piers and scenic trails. Popular with boaters and anglers, the 2,530-acre cold-water lake sits along the Jackson River in the mountains of the Alleghany Highlands where it boasts over 40 miles of undeveloped shoreline.