Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail
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, but, by the time it reaches Whitetop Community, it has ascended 1,600 feet, some of it at nearly 7 percent grade! The Virginia Creeper is a shared- use trail.
General Information
Trail Log
Miles are measured from the Virginia-North Carolina state line to the town of Abingdon
- 0.0 VA-NC state line
- 1.1 Whitetop Station Visitor Center
- 4.1 Green Cove Station Visitor Center
- 8.4 High Trestle, 550 ft. long, 100 ft. tall
- 9.4 Creek Junction, trail access, parking, fishing, restrooms
- 12.4 Taylor’s Valley
- 13.9 Straight Branch Trailhead
- 15.9 Iron Bridge, leaving the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
- 17.9 Town of Damascus
- 24.9 Alvarado
- 26.2 South Holston Trestle, scenic trestle over the conjunction of South and Middle Forks of the Holston River, lowest point on trail at 1900 feet
- 29.7 Dry Branch Trestle
- 30.5 Highway 677, parking
- 33.4 Abingdon Trailhead, restrooms, parking, locomotive display
Commercial shuttles must have a special use permit.
The Virginia Creeper can get pretty crowded during busy summer weekends and, while most folks are just out to enjoy themselves, a few simple rules have proven necessary to protect the environment and to make sure everybody has a good time.
- The trail is for non-motorized traffic only.
- Pack out all litter, including cigarette butts.
- Camping is allowed, but please camp well off the trail, away from streams and springs.
- Never camp on private land without permission.
- On the Abingdon to Damascus portion of the trail, hunting or carrying firearms is prohibited at all times unless you have a valid concealed weapons permit and the handgun is concealed.
- On the Mount Rogers portion, hunting is allowed in season. Firearms may not be carried at any other time.
No Fee
Address: 3714 Highway 16 Marion, VA 24354
Phone: 276-783-5196
Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Closed on federal holidays)
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Bring your own water.
Recreation Opportunities
Cultural Sites/Exhibits Info
Virginia's finest rail-trail, 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, but, by the time it reaches Whitetop Community, it has ascended 1,600 feet, some of it at nearly 7 percent grade!
The trail began as a Native American footpath. Later it was used by European pioneers including Daniel Boone. By 1907, W.B. Mingea had constructed the Virginia Carolina Railroad from Abingdon to Damascus. In 1905 the line was extended by Hassinger Lumber Co. to Konnarock and Elkland, NC. It hauled lumber, iron ore, supplies and passengers. It got its nickname "Virginia Creeper" from the early steam locomotives as they struggled slowly up steep grades.
With about 100 trestles and bridges, sharp curves and steep grades, the Virginia Creeper was the quintessential mountain railroad. Crews faced wash-outs, rock slides and other hazards, but it was economics that sounded the line's death whistle. Having failed to turn a profit since the Great Depression, the Creeper ran its last train on March 31, 1977.
Visitor Centers Info
The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area maintains two visitor centers on the on the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail: Whitetop Station and Green Cove. These visitor centers are staffed spring through fall.
Whitetop Station is a replica of the original train station and contains displays of the history of the area, the railroad, the people of Whitetop. Interpretive items such as maps of the NRA and railroad memorabilia are available. Outdoor and flush toilets are available.
Green Cove is the original train station/country store/post office/western union office that has been converted to a visitor center. Most of the contents were left in the station when it closed in the 1970's and are still there for visitors to see. Interpretive items - maps, books, sweat shirts, t-shirts, drinks and snacks are available for purchase. A outdoor toilet is available.
The Caboose is located in the Damascus town park and offers brochures pertaining to the surrounding area as well as maps, books, and t-shirts. It is within walking distance of local businesses. Restrooms are located in the park.