With its rocky peaks, soaring spruce fir trees, sweeping balds and panoramic views, Grayson Highlands State Park in southwest Virginia is among the most stunning and beautiful destinations in our region. The landscape is described as something resembling Montana more than Appalachia. It truly is a unique place. But most distinctive are the wild ponies that inhabit the mountains. Located in the shadow of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Grayson often gets second billing. But the park is truly one of the gems of southwest Virginia -- I highly recommend a visit!
There are numerous overlooks and vistas throughout the park, including Sugarland Overlook (which you pass as you enter the park), Buzzard Rock Overlook (near the gift shop parking area), Big and Little Pinnacle Overlook (trail begins immediate behind the gift shop), along with Wilburn Ridge and other rock outcroppings throughout the park.
To be honest, the wild ponies at the Grayson Highlands State Park in
Virginia aren't all that wild. Though park officials have policies
against visitors petting and feeding the ponies, rustle a plastic
wrapper and they'll come right to you. So something tells me that rule
isn't strictly followed. One family I saw brought an apple for a treat
-- at least it was a healthy snack. There are usually a few small herds
of ponies at different parts of the park, so wander around the trails
and you'll eventually find them. Once a year
the ponies are rounded up and checked out for health problems - but
other than that they're pretty much left alone to graze in the beautiful
Grayson Highlands.
If visiting the for first time, I recommend driving up to the top of the mountain first to visit the gift shop. From here you can take in the views from Buzzard Rock and Little Pinnacle (both are short walks). Then head back down and park at Massie Gap and take the Rhododendron Trail to where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail (0.8 mi). From here you can turn right and head toward a neat outcropping of rocks -- fun to climb, and great views! Or head left to where I usually encounter the ponies - and then continue heading up to Wilburn Ridge (elevation 5526) (two miles total distance). Another popular hike is to the summit of Mount Rogers (approx. 5 miles).
In the summer months, I highly recommend sunscreen and water! Ninety percent of the trails are out in the open, so the sun can take its toll very quickly! During the winter months some parts of the park are closed. However, the road to the main trail head, Massie Gap, is open all year.
More of my photos of Grayson here.
The Sherpa Guide offers a complete description of the park and various hiking trails
.
Visit the
official park website for maps and directions.
Directions:
From Tri-Cities, TN: take I-81 to Exit 19 (Abingdon, VA), go east on
Route 58 about 37 miles to the park entrance. It's a very windy, but
scenic road, so allow plenty of time.
From Elizabethton, TN: take Highway 91 (Stony Creek Road) approximately 34 miles through
Shady Valley and
Backbone Rock to
Damascus, VA. Once in Damascus, turn right onto US Rt. 58. Follow Rt.
58 signs and proceed 26.3 miles to the park entrance on your left.
Continue on this main park road 3.5 miles to Massey Gap. (There's a $3
fee per car).
Nestled within the mountains of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a valley that was once home to as many as 125 families. Today, with nearly 2 million annual visitors, Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations within the 75 year old park. An eleven mile, one way loop road takes visitors back to a time when settlers first entered the valley in the 1820s and 30s. The population of the cove grew to a high as 708 (in 1900) -- today there remain over 70 historic structures which can be explored in this tranquil pastoral setting surrounded by wooded mountains. Cades Cove is also well known for its wildlife: bears, deer, coyotes, red fox and wild turkeys (to name a few) are often seen by visitors as they explore the cove.
