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Appalachian Trail - (Jefferson National Forest) Most of the trail ison national forest lands, where you are free to wander and camp near the Trail. Outside national forest boundaries, the National Park Service has purchased easements and lands to protect the Trail right-of-way and preserve views from the Trail. For more details, get a copy of the Appalachian Trail Conference's "Appalachian Trail Guide to Central and Southwest Virginia". This guide provides a detailed description of the Trail, its facilities, and services available to hikers. Appalachian Trail Conference, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 or contact the Wythe Ranger District, USDA Forest Service, 1725 West Lee Highway, Wytheville, VA 24382, (276) 228-5551. Big Bend Picnic Area (Jefferson National Forest) Open year round. Seven picnic units with tables, grills and fireplaces, and vault toilets. No potable water. Big Bend Picnic Area is set amidst orchard grass and large boulders under a canopy of oaks. Overlooks provide excellent views of the ridge and valley terrain. On a clear day, Mount Rogers, Virginia's highest peak, can be seen to the south. This area is particularly beautiful in mid-summer when the large number of Rhododendron found here are in bloom. Big Walker Mountain is located on the hawk migration route. Each fall and spring, Big Bend also provides visitors with a prime location for bird watching. From Wytheville follow Rt. 52 north for 13 miles to the crest of Walker Mountain. Turn right onto FS 206. Follow for 4 miles to Big Bend Picnic Area. Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway (Jefferson National Forest) The byway begins at the intersection of Route 717 and Interstate 77, about 5 miles north of Wytheville. Proceed west on Route 717. You will drive 16.2 miles if you cover the length of the byway. The Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway showcases the natural beauty of southwest Virginia and the history of the area. It can be a refreshing alternative to interstate driving for those who might like to leisurely enjoy some scenery. The area surrounding the byway is rich with history, some of which can be read on roadside markers. There are stories of Civil War battles and legendary people, such as preacher Bob Sheffey and Mary "Molly" Tynes. Carters Memorial Park (VDOT) 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Shelter with restrooms on a first come first serve basis. Several additional picnic sites. Located off Interstate 77/81, Exit 80, Follow Route 11 and signs to Carters Memorial Park. Comers Rock Campground/Picnic Area (Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Located beside FS Road 57, four miles west of Hwy. 21. Drinking water and vault toilets. Both campground and picnic area open year-round although road is sometimes blocked by snow. Ten campsites, several picnic sites and a small stone picnic shelter (CCC era). Iron Mountain Trail runs through campground. Other trails give access to Little Dry Run Wilderness. Observation platform atop Comers Rock about 0.5 mile to the west offers spectacular 360-degree view. Five-acre Hale Lake, well stocked with trout in season, is 2 miles to the west. Fee for use of campground or picnic area. Crawfish & Channel Rock Trails (Jefferson National Forest) Length - 10 miles. This trail starts in Crawfish Valley, crosses Bear Creek and climbs to the top of Brushy Mountain. It follows the ridgeline of Brushy Mountain along the Tennessee Valley Divide for about 4 miles until it descends through Channel Rock Hollow back into the Crawfish Valley and returns to the parking lot. Terrain varies from the creek bottom to the dry ridges. There are excellent opportunities to see wildlife along the trail due to its isolated location. The trail is blazed with orange diamond shape markers and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and horse back riders. From I-81 Rural Retreat exit take Rt. 660 north for 2.5 miles to Rt. 625. Follow Rt. 625 for 4 miles to intersection with FS 227. Take FS 227 for 2 miles to gate and parking. Dark Horse Hollow - (Jefferson National Forest) Located on the banks of Stony fork Creek. Open April 1 through November 30. $1.00 parking fee. Picnicking, trout fishing, and water play area with beach. An accessible loop trail is being developed. Follow Route 52 north for 5.5 miles. Dark Horse Hollow is on the right. Monster Rock (Jefferson National Forest) Length - .75 mile. This short trail hike leaves Walker Mountain Lookout parking lot and leads to a large rock outcrop. Monster Rock is an outstanding vista of the Stony Fork watershed which includes beautiful Bland County farmscapes and historic Garden Mountain to the north. It is a nice side trip of the Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway. The parking lot for Monster Rock is across from the entrance road to Big Bend Picnic Area. A drive down this road lends visitors equally beautiful views in the opposite direction from those seen at Monster Rock. Follow Rt. 52 north for 13 miles to the crest of Walker Mountain. Parking for Monster Rock is at the Walker Mountain Lookout Tower. New River Campground and Day Use Area (Mount Rogers National Recreation Area) - Located within a few hundred feet of the New River and the New River Trail State park, this campground features 16 campsites, drinking water, modern "sweet-smelling" vault toilets. Picnic tables and a picnic shelter for day use. Hikers and bicyclists can access New River Trail State Park. Anglers, canoeists and inner-tubers enjoy warm water recreational opportunities on New River. Fee Area. Polecat Trail (Jefferson National Forest) Length 1.5 miles. The Polecat Trail is marked with orange diamond shaped blazes. It is open to hikers and mountain bikers. No horses are permitted. This trail lies inthe Peak Creek drainage basin and provides good hunter access to Walker Mountain. Polecat Trail ties into Track Fork Trail on Little Walker Mountain. Parking for the trail is along FS 707. From Wytheville take Rt. 603 for 4 miles. Turn onto Rt. 600 east and follow for 7 miles to FS 707. Take FS 707 east for 2.75 miles to trail hiker sign along south side of road. Trail is on north side of road. Ravin Cliff Horse Camp (Mount Rogers National Recreational Area) - About a mile east of Raven Cliff Campground, just south of Hwy 642. Hitching rails, chemical flush toilets, horse-trailer parking. Access to Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. Open year-round. Rural Retreat Lake and Campground - Location: Exit 60 off I-81. Contains a 90 acre fishing lake stocked with largemouth bass, bream and catfish. Open for fishing year round. Campground has 72 wooded sites with hookups, swimming pool, and lake for fishing. Tent and trailer camping area, picnic grounds, boat docks and rental. Fees required. Seven Sisters Trail (Jefferson National Forest) The length of Seven Sisters Trail is 4.8 miles located on Little Walker Mountain in Wythe County. The trail terminates inside of Stony Fork Campground. Trail users must park outside the Campground (fee area) and access the trail from Stony Fork Nature Trail (located within the campground) or use the parking lot at the east end of the trail. Seven Sisters trail is known for its variety of terrain. Vegetation changes from the creek bottom with giant old growth white pines and Rhododendron to hardwood forest at the top of the ridge. Good views are plentiful during leaf off season. From Wytheville take Interstate 77 north for about 6 miles to Exit 47. Turn left onto Rt. 717 west. Go about 1.25 miles to the trailhead parking lot. Stoney Fork Campground (Jefferson National Forest) Located in a natural forest setting at the foot of Big Walker Mountain. Fifty-three camping units with picnic tables, fireplaces, lantern posts, parking spurs, central water hydrants, restrooms with warm showers and flush toilets, pay phone, trailer waste disposal station, and central trash containers. The East Fork of Stony Fork Creek winds through the campground and provides water play and trout fishing. A one mile nature trail will take campers through stands of pine and hardwoods. Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel are prominent understory shrubs. From Wytheville follow I-77 north to Exit 47. Turn left onto Rt. 717. Follow 4 miles to Stony Fork Campground. Tract Fork Trail (Jefferson National Forest) Length - 4 miles. Tract Fork is a nice wide trail along Tract Fork Creek. There are parking lots on both ends of the trail. One is on Little Walker Mountain, and the other is on Tract Mountain. This trail is open to horse back riding, mountain bikers and hikers and provides good hunting access. Yellow diamond shaped markers blaze the trail. Polecat Trail intersects Tract Fork approximately one mile from the eastern parking lot. From Wytheville take Rt. 603 for 4 miles to Rt. 600. Follow Rt. 600 east for 9 miles to the top of the mountain and the parking lot for the trail. |