The Best Backpacking in Mouth of Wilson

First of all, who doesn't love wild ponies!  There are tons of ponies here, and although they are wild, they are not afraid of people and you can get pretty close (just don't feed them!).   Once you enter Grayson Highlands State Park, you will see a parking lot for Massie Gap a few miles in, par...

Spanning roughly 4500 acres, located in a portion of Jefferson National Forest, looming under the highest peak in Virginia lies the Grayson Highlands. A part of Virginia’s State Parks system and a United States National Landmark, located in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, the Highlands are home to wil...

For an awesome 2-3 day trip, start hiking at the Massie Gap trailhead, which can be reached from Grayson Highlands State Park. Take the Rhododendron Trail up the ridge to connect with the AT, keeping an eye out for wild ponies in the Massie Gap area as they like to hang out here. Some of these po...

Starting at the Elk Garden Parking Area hike the Appalachian Trail south (do not cross the road, follow the trail from the parking area). Hike along the trail following the white blazes and at 2.4 miles you'll reach a campsite on your left. This is a great place to camp overnight if you decide to...

Virginia Creeper National Recreational Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Whitetop, Virginia.

Beargap Trail to Appalachian Trail to Virginia Creeper Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Damascus, Virginia.

I didn't have any issues putting "Comers Rock Recreation Area" into my phone's GPS (Waze) and arriving exactly where I was supposed to. When you turn off US 21 (aka the Grayson Turnpike/Elk Creek Parkway) to Jefferson National Forest Road 57, you'll see a sign a parking lot that says "road not su...

A treasure in North Carolina that doesn't get as much attention as it should, Doughton Park has some of the best trails around. It is the largest park operated by the Blue Ridge Parkway and has over 30 miles of trails available.  The parking area for the Basin Creek Trail is small, but rarely cro...

Rich Knob via Appalachian Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Shady Valley, Tennessee.

Crawfish/Channel Rock Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Rural Retreat, Virginia.

Stone Mountain - Widow's Creek to Deep Gap is a point-to-point trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Traphill, North Carolina.

Lick Mountain Boundary Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Wytheville, Virginia.

Calloway Peak via Profile Trail is an out-and-back trail with waterfall views located near Banner Elk, North Carolina in Grandfather Mountain State Park.

Garden Mountain, Chestnut Ridge, and Brushy Mountain via Appalachian Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Tazewell, Virginia.

Little Stoney Creek to Chestnut Flats is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Appalachian Trail: 19E to Hump Mountain is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Roan Mountain, Tennessee.