Looking for a tranquil stroll, invigorating hike, or reflective moment by the water’s edge, Virginia is blessed with landmark attractions everyone should endeavor to see. Southwest VA Lodging is an ideal launchpad to explore some of the iconic structures and sites that give our region its prestige and glamor.
Grayson Highlands State Park
Often referred to as a nature abode, the Grayson Highlands State Park is one of the best of its kind in the South, thanks majorly to alpine-like peaks, striking vistas, and herds of wild photogenic ponies. The park has views, trails, bouldering, fly-fishing, and the Appalachian Trail to satisfy your cravings for wilderness.
At heights of 5,000 feet, Grayson Highlands has no shortage of stunning sights above the treeline to make you feel like you are atop the world. While hiking up, keep an eye out for the infamous Magic Tree, which has roots enmeshed in a boulder and the looks of an image from a fairy tale.
Grayson Highlands State Park’s wild ponies are not to be missed, especially on a visit to Smyth Country. These creatures, alongside long-horned cattle, were released into the center to graze down vegetation overgrowing the meadow-like balds.
For your chance at catching a glimpse of them, start your hike at the Rhododendron Trail, a moderate 2.5 mile out and back, along which you will encounter massive rock outcrops. The ponies are attractive but wild. Do not feed or approach them. Enjoy from a distance to protect yourself from injury.
Virginia Creeper Trail
Along the path on which laid a former railroad track, the Virginia Creeper Trail gets its name from the steam engine that once passed through, as well as the native creeper vines that decorate the environment.
In the 1980s, when railroads went obsolete, a nationwide movement emerged to advocate transforming them into trails.
Stretching more than 34 miles, the trail is the product of collaboration between residents, government organizations, and forest services, starting from Abingdon at Mile 0 through expansive farmlands to Damascus at Mile 15.5/ Venturing onwards, the Virginia Creeper ascends to its pinnacle at Whitetop Station.
The gentle grade combined with easy access points makes the Creeper Trail fun for both the young and old. Anyone looking to cover lots of scenery with little effort, particularly families longing for an outdoor activity everyone can enjoy. Since there are options to adjust the trail’s difficulty level, anyone can comfortably find the fun that matches their wants.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Seasons come and [they] go. For that, we are eternally thankful. The transition from summer to autumn always has us awestruck, as leaves are blown away into a cold atmosphere. Regardless of the season or time of year, beauty abounds on this side of Virginia.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, seldom called America’s Favorite Drive, is a masterstroke of scenic attraction winding through Virginia’s mountain ranges. While cruising its notoriously meandering roads, you will be mesmerized by panoramic views capturing the mountains’ essence.
Each curve along the parkway reveals a new vista, from rolling valleys and wavy hills to distant peaks reaching for the skies. The journey through the curls invites contemplation alongside the simple pleasures that come from being surrounded by nature’s grandeur.
Of the 424 parks in America’s national park system, the Blue Ridge Parkway comes out on top as the most visited because it is 469 miles of vibrant life and adventure. Whether you see only a small section of everything from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains, there is no doubt you come away inspired and taken to road-tripping.