Outdoors

The covered bridges in Patrick County are fabulous spots for romance and are full of history making them one of the best experiences in Virginia. There is something about covered bridges that draw people to them. Maybe it's the feel of being taken back to a simpler time, where life moved a little bit slower. Maybe it's the taken-care-of

Camp Bethel is a Christian centered camping experience. Retreats and Facility Rental: Camp Bethel's facilities are available for rent year round. Amenities include 165 wooded acres, a small recreational lake, eight go-karts, a full size gymnasium with a 24 foot indoor climbing wall and outdoor challenge ropes course. Hewn log bunkhouses and a spacious log gymnasium with modern kitchen. Hourly, daily

Accessed via the Devil's Bathtub Loop Trail, this 2-mile trail has many scenic vistas overlooking the

A self guided trail that requires only a narrative trail brochure. There are stops on the trail, the first in a wildlife clearing for deer, turkey, and other wild game. Next you will pass an old homestead, traces of the house may still be found. There is a White Pine stand that was planted in the 1950s. The next stop

This picnic area features 18 picnic units with table and grill or fireplace. A group shelter is also available. Hanging Rock Picnic area is located beside Little Stony Creek in a hardwood forest with rhododendron and hemlocks. Huge rock cliffs along the creek and the sound of rushing water add to the natural beauty of the area. Little Stony Creek provides trout

The trail runs from Burke's Garden/Tazewell to Guest River Gorge/Wise County.  The 128 mile ride with 40 miles side trails treks through backroads, rails to trails, single track, historic sites,  natural preserve, wilderness area, a swinging bridge, three scenic rivers, farms, coal country, and gorgeous views in the far southwestern counties of Tazewell, Bland, Russell, and Wise and crosses the Trans-America bike route. It takes secondary

Pound Boat Launch has year round boat access to the 154-acre North Fork of Pound Lake. Trail to Hopkins Branch. Picnicking nearby at the

Access to the 154-acre North Fork of Pound Lake for fishing and

The Appalachian Wilderness Adventure Program (AWAP) is a challenging ropes course. The program is a part of the ministries located at Camp Bethel, which also operates youth summer camp. The Appalachian Wilderness Adventure Program was developed in 1986 to work with churches, youth groups, schools, busineses, social services, and mental health groups. AWAP is an exciting outdoor/indoor activity that can be

The Wise Reservoir provides the water supply for the Town of Wise. Although heavily used by anglers and picnickers, this is also a good venue for wildlife watching. Mixed woodlands surround the waterbody, and walking trails around the reservoir allow the naturalist to explore these

1.3-mile trail leads to High Knob Lake at the recreation

Rails to trails project that follows an old railroad right of way paralleling the Guest River, a Virginia Scenic River. Trout fishing is permitted in the river, as well as kayacking and canoeing. During the early 1900's when timber and coal were being hauled out of the remote areas of Dickenson County, this passage was used as a rail line.

18.7 mile trail for seasoned hikers through beautiful Jefferson National Forest

Nestled on 160 acres in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains just 1 mile North of Wise off Birchfield Road on Rt. 759. 8 fully equipped RV sites and primitive tent sites. Facilities include dumping station, bathhouse, swimming lake, hiking trails, volleyball, basketball and other recreational

The first mile of the trail is a series of rock stairs that were constructed by the Youth Conservation Corps in the 1970s. Many miniature falls cascade along the sold rock streambed exposing interesting rock formations. There is a stand of old growth hemlock 300+ years old. High Butte is a large rock outcrop with views of the

Call for detailed maps of trails through National Forest. Campgrounds open mid-May to

If you’re visiting Wise County and want to venture through the beautiful Jefferson National Forest, then the Appalachian Wonders Loop is a great place to start. Located within the Cumberland Plateau, this trail is home to 24 species of breeding warblers, 4 species of thrushes, a diverse selection of flora, salamanders, insects, and mammals, including foxes and black bears. This

Challenging four mile run or pleasant excursion to Little Stone Mountain located in the Jefferson National Forest.  Little Stone runs along the northern side of the Powell Valley with peak elevation of 3934' and provides the backdrop for the town of Big Stone Gap. The Powell Valley begins between Powell Mountain and Little Stone Mountain where the waters of the

The 3.7 mile trail around the 92 acre lake can be used for hiking, fishing, and wildlife

The Counts Cabin trail, located in Dickenson County, is an 1.8 miles long trail in the Jefferson National