(276) 579-7092
829 Grayson Highland LaneMouth of Wilson, VA 24363
Latitude: 36.628322
Longitude: -81.496889
This park offers excellent hiking trails plus access to the Appalachian trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. The scenery here is amazing but the trails are a bit more difficult than in other, lower lying parks. Be careful with slippery rocks and roots and make sure you are always prepared for sudden changes in weather by bringing raingear and extra layers even on short hikes. There are several small shelters along the trails that offer places to stop and wait out a storm. There is also Wise shelter within the park on the Appalachian trail. This offers a place for through-hikers to sleep before they continue their journey. Be sure to try snowshoeing or cross country skiing on some of the trails when winter comes.
Appalachian Spur Trail
Appalachian Spur Trail is an approximately 1 mile, moderate difficulty, hiking trail that starts at the backpackers parking lot. The trail passes through the woods to a grassy bald area before intersecting with the Appalachian Trail. If you continue on the AT just over a mile to the north you will come to the Wise Shelter.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 0.82
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Roots, Rocks
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a National Scenic Trail that consists of a footpath of more than 2,150 miles stretching from Mount Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia. Approximately one quarter of the trail lies in Virginia with portions passing through Grayson Highlands State Park and Sky Meadows State Park. For information on hiking the trail, contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at appalaciantrail.org, or look for a trail club in your area.
Blaze Color: White
- Length: 2150
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Mixed
Big Pinnacle Trail
The Big Pinnacle Trail is a .4 mile, difficult trail that connects the western end of the Twin Pinnacles loop to the Massie Gap parking area. As the trail climbs Haw Orchard Mountain, hikers will find areas rich with mountain laurel, rhododendron, azaleas and other native plants. This trail is extremely steep and rocky and hikers should be cautious as it gets very slippery when wet.
Blaze Color: Yellow
- Length: 0.4
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Roots, Rocks
Cabin Creek Trail
The Cabin Creek Trail is a 1.8 mile, Difficult, hiking loop that takes hikers from the grassy open areas of Massie Gap through wooded areas as they hike along Cabin Creek up towards the falls on Whitetop Mountain. One of the park’s lesser used trails, the Cabin Creek Trail offers hillsides of Rhododendron and shady glades punctuated by the tumbling creek and quiet pools. While the pools of native brook trout are tempting, fishing the creek is prohibited inside the park. The trail is easy to hike most of the way, however the roughly 100 yard hike to the falls is very steep, rocky and slippery and earns the trail a moderate rating.
Blaze Color: Yellow
- Length: 1.8
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Grass, Earth, Rocks
Listening Rock Trail
Listening Rock Trail is a 1.4 mile, moderate hiking loop that is accessible near the Visitor Center by the Buzzard Rock Overlook. Buzzard Rock derives its name from the turkey vultures that roosted here. English settlers were reminded of the buzzard hawks of their homeland, hence the name. The narrow trail runs downhill through the woods over fairly rocky terrain. About one half mile from Buzzard Rock Overlook is Listening Rock. Listening Rock is so named because the areas farmers would come here to locate grazing cattle by listening for their bells. This trail is closed from November 1 to May 1.
Blaze Color: Yellow
- Length: 1.4
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Roots, Rocks
Rhododendron Trail
The Rhododendron Trail is a wide, half mile long, difficult trail, that connects to the Horse Trail in two places. The trail climbs Wilburn Ridge via a broad switchback through Catawba Rhododendron groves and beautiful fields of wildflowers in spring and early summer. Hiking this trail has many rewards. Beautiful views, spectacular sunsets, and the little-known herds of wild ponies that graze the upper ridges.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 0.5
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Natural, Rocky
Rock House Ridge Trail
Rock House Ridge Trail is a 1.4 mile, moderate difficulty loop that is accessible near the picnic area. At the trail head stands a large rock, the far side of which slants inward creating a shelter. Cherokee Indian artifacts were once found near this rock. During May and June you can find the pink lady’s slipper orchid, or moccasin flower, growing in the woods near the ‘rock house.’ The trail winds through thickets of rhododendron along a narrow path, working uphill and downhill through hardwoods and mountain laurel and, for a short distance, alongside the Wilburn Branch Trail before returning to the trail head. This trail is closed from November 1 to May 1.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 1.4
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Rocks, Roots
Seed Orchard Trail
The Seed Orchard Trail is a 1.2 mile, moderate difficulty, extension of the network of mountain bike trails. The trail follows portions of Wilson’s Creek and the Horse Trail. Please use caution when approaching or overtaking riders on horseback.
Blaze Color: Red
- Length: 1.2
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Natural
Stampers Branch Trail
The Stampers Branch Trail is a 1