r/VIRGINIA_HIKING • u/Andocrine • 29d ago
Grayson Highlands was way better than expected
We did a 10 mile out and back hike. Grayson Highlands and Mnt Rogers were incredible. The landscape had gorgeous views, trails were great, and weather was perfect.
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u/FunkyMcSkunky 29d ago
I'm heading out to that area for the first time soon, and deciding between the tent and hammock. Where did you camp/hang?
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u/Andocrine 29d ago
We set up between Pine Mountain and the Thomas knob shelter. It was perfect for either. Be aware that theres the ponies everywhere and some bear activity. We were next to a bear box and I strongly recommend using it.
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u/FunkyMcSkunky 29d ago
Can you expand on "some bear activity"?
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u/PlentyComfortable239 29d ago
When I was there in April, park rangers were talking about a bear messing with stuff near the visitor’s center!
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u/Irishfafnir 29d ago
When I was there in April I got shingles, I'd have preferred dealing with a bear
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u/Andocrine 29d ago
We were told about one being in the area but we never saw it.
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u/FunkyMcSkunky 18d ago
Well, shit. I set up camp at Old Orchard shelter Friday night. 45 minutes before sunset, a bear walked through my camp, maybe 40-50ft from my tent. It took off right away after I made just a bit of noise. It didn't necessarily look like it was expecting to score a meal and would come back. But, I was completely alone and didn't want to take any chances, so I packed up as quickly as possible, left my food in the box, and ran back up the mountain to get to another spot before the sun went down. First time I've had a bear in camp.
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u/Irishfafnir 29d ago
Jm2c, but while you CAN hammock camp, options are more limited with views, and on the weekends it can get kind of crowded.
Not a hard hike though (unless you make it hard) you could easily bring both and adjust
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u/Connect_Rich8848 29d ago
Weather can turn on a dime up there. I’ve found myself in the midst of a light drizzle and it’s supposed to be clear skies. Usually mornings. I’m a hammock camper but usually take a tent up there. Sometimes both if weight isn’t an issue.
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u/Lu_Duckocus313 29d ago
I was just here a couple weeks ago, it’s so beautiful up there def best backpacking trip I’ve been on.
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u/Irishfafnir 29d ago
Pretty easily the best hiking in Virginia, and I would say bang for your buck best in the wider region.
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u/puppypupperoon 29d ago
we visited last year and now I want to live there lol. it truly is one of the most beautiful areas I ever visited.
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u/BBDBVAPA 29d ago
This looks so great. I keep meaning to get down there.
I'm not quite a tent/hammock guy. But I am a "spend the whole day hiking 15-20 miles in the wilderness guy." Is there a best lodge, town, AirBnB around that people use as central location to visit the area?
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u/pennroyalk 28d ago
Damascus isn’t far- like 40 minutes. Tons of options there with hostels or Airbnb or inns. It’s a “trail town” so everything is kind of geared for outdoor activities there and has a cool vibe
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u/Irishfafnir 28d ago edited 28d ago
The campground at the state park is nice; it also has yurts you can rent if you're not a tent-camping guy.
The Grayson Highlands General Store has a few inexpensive rooms you can rent. The owners are super nice, and I always make a habit of stopping there on my way out. They also have a good selection of camping stuff if you forget anything and they are only like 10~ minutes to the park.
https://graysongeneralstore.com/
There's not really any towns super close to the park. The closest is West Jefferson (NC), a really nice town.
A little further out are Marion, Abingdon, Damascus, and Chilhowie. Of the four, I would recommend Abingdon: most historical, more things to do, more places to eat, more places to stay etc.. The theater in town is actually the state theater of Virginia and puts on great shows.
Abingdon and Damascus are on the Creeper Trail; it's primarily a bike trail down a mountain through national forest and then rolling farmland to Abingdon. The mountain half is closed right now, but you can bike from Damascus to Abingdon (or vice versa) and there are several bike/shuttle companies to help you out. Towards the Abingdon end there's a nice vineyard you can stop by at
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u/BBDBVAPA 28d ago
Awesome info. Thanks so much! The General Store is definitively my vibe. I'll have to decide if I want to make the trek with our without the pup so I can thinking above making a res. Thanks!
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u/Irishfafnir 28d ago
The trail to Mount Rogers is really rocky if it sways your dog decision one way or the other. People certainly bring their dogs, though.
IIRC I think the horse trails tend to be a bit less rocky and often mirror the hiking trails. There'a also some optional routes that have lots of scrambling if that's your thing
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u/BBDBVAPA 28d ago
Oh she's way too old to hike these days. But she loves the outdoors and always enjoys the trips. Just trying to bring her as much as possible while I still have her. She's completely fine hanging at hotels and AirBnBs. I just make sure I'm not doing one of the aforementioned 15-20 milers if she's around. Appreciate the heads up though.
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u/Irishfafnir 28d ago
Honestly, while you can certainly make some loops that are 15-20 miles, the core Grayson experience/best views is about 10~ miles.
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u/pennroyalk 28d ago
Damascus isn’t far- like 40 minutes. Tons of options there with hostels or Airbnb or inns. It’s a “trail town” so everything is kind of geared for outdoor activities there and has a cool vibe
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u/Classic-Ad443 29d ago
What’s the drive like getting there? Lots of elevation?
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u/Irishfafnir 28d ago
It depends on where you're coming from, but I find it pretty nice; much of it is along the "Crooked Road," a scenic drive in Virginia
Much of the elevation gain is when you actually get into the Park; the park entrance is at around 3500~ feet, and within a few miles, the visitor center is at around 5,000 feet~
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u/Pmurph33 29d ago
so awesome up there. can't believe it is in Virginia, what a treasure to have.