Outdoor Fun | Carroll County Office of Tourism

Outdoor Fun

1
2

	Reed Island Tree Farm 715 Peacock Dr. Hillsville, VA 24343 Home Phone: home276-766-3134 Personal Email: INTERNETrounders3@embarqmail.com
Show Bio	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Biography Welcome to Reed Island Farm Start a new family tradition! Choose and Cut your Christmas tree this year! Reed Island Farm is the only full-service Choose & Cut Farm in our area. We will shake and bale your tree, and help you load it. Our farm is open to the public every day, during daylight hours, from Thanksgiving till Christmas! Come choose your tree from thousands of our premium Fraser Fir, for the freshest possible tree. Bring your family for a traditional holiday outing, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains! Enjoy a hay wagon ride around the fields to find the perfect Christmas tree for your home. Our Christmas Shop adds a touch of comfort to your experience, plus new offerings for your holiday decorations.

	ANGEL WINGS CHRISTMAS TREE FARM 1928 Crooked Oak Road Hillsville, VA 24343 work Work Phone: work(276) 398-3548 Cell Phone: cell(276) 266-5032 Work Email: INTERNETsharleen@centurylink.net
Show Bio	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Biography We are a family-owned farm located 8 miles east of Hillsville and approximately 3 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mile Post 195. Our farm grows the beautiful Fraser Fir Christmas tree for our Choose and Cut Operation and we ship fresh from our farm through our internet store. We have 30 acres in Fraser Fir with easy access to our fields and beautiful mountain scenery from our 100-acre farm. HOURS: We open for the 2011 season on the Friday BEFORE Thanksgiving and are Open through Dec. 18. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-dark; open Sunday 1pm-dark

	Blue Cat on the New 5785 Fries Rd Galax, VA 24333 work Work Phone: work(276) 766-3729 Work Phone: work(276) 744-2027 Work Email: INTERNETbluecat@ls.net
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes Canoe, kayak and bike rentals. Guided fishing tours, shuttle services, camping and tipi rentals on the New River.

	Blue Ridge Parkway Agricultural Lease Interpretative Overlook Blue Ridge Parkway, MM 202.9 Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(828) 298-0398
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes Most of the landscape along the 469 mile Blue Ridge Parkway consists of mountainous terrain and steep wooded ridges. The 30 mile stretch of the parkway through Carroll County presents the traveler with a different pastoral view due to the fact that the county is within the Blue Ridge Plateau sub-region of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain. Here the landscape reflects broad rolling hills - most with farmland. At this overlook, the visitor can gain a greater appreciation for the rural nature of the area. The agricultural view from this location (milepost 202.9) was highly rated in a recent National Park Service study of the county's scenic qualities. The Blue Ridge Parkway in Carroll County is easily accessible to Interstate 77, via Exit 8 (Fancy Gap). The Blue Ridge Parkway is open seasonally.

	Blue Ridge Parkway in Carroll County Mileposts 182 and 212 Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(828)298-0398
Show Notes	Show Map \|
Notes Carroll County features 30 miles of spectacular scenery along the 469 mile parkway, between Mileposts 182 and 212. Three cultural stopping points are the Groundhog Mountain Scenic Overlook with picnic area(MP 188.8), Orlean Puckett Cabin (MP 189.9), and on the edge of the county is the Blue Ridge Music Center (MP 213). An important access point to the parkway in Carroll County is at Fancy Gap (MP 199.5) which intersects with Route 52 and is near Interstate 77. Blue Ridge HOST, Inc. operates a visitor center open seven days a week at Fancy Gap. The Blue Ridge Parkway, sometimes called "America's Favorite Drive", provides both stunning scenery and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the southern Appalachian mountains. It is designed as a driveawhile and stop-awhile experience, so please don't be in a hurry.

	Blue Ridge Tree Climbing 182180 Blue Ridge Pkwy Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 work Work Phone: work(276)398-2639 Personal Email: INTERNETbxwray@gmail.com YouTube Facebook
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes The best and most accurate word for me to describe the attraction to tree climbing is magic. We understood the true meaning of the word as children when most of us started climbing, but as we supposedly grew up our gaze went from the tree tops to the desk tops. If you cannot remember the meaning of childhood magic, or do remember and want to get it back, then I suggest you simply climb a tree again. The basic act of changing your angle on the world will definitely change your outlook and your attitude. If you are in reasonably good shape, regardless of your age, then you can learn to climb a tree on rope. My method is simple and you can pick up the basics in a weekend of training. I hope you will come to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and take this magical and spiritual journey with me.

	Carroll County Recreation Park & Picnic Shelter 129 Ballpark Rd Hillsville, VA 24343 work Work Phone: work276-730-3100
Show Notes	Show Map \|
Notes Located at Exit 14 I-77, this public park provides a picnic shelter, playground, ballpark, and a great place to stop in your travels for a convenient outdoor break.

	Carter Pines Community Park 605-1 Pine Street Hillsville, VA 24343 work Work Phone: work276-730-3100
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes The Carter Pines Community Park is a 24 acre tract within the Town of Hillsville and is owned and administered by Carroll County. It is the largest town park in SW Virginia. The tract contains one of the first and last surviving white pine plantings in the state. Five-acre remnant stand was planted in the 1930s. Several acres are replanted native hardwoods. A cleared landscaped area has a recently constructed large picnic shelter and a large granite Community Honor Wall. The tract also contains a unique 1924 hydraulic water ram system listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Track adjacent to the Carroll Wellness Center and Carroll County Governmental Center is open sunrise to sunset. Best access to the park is from West Grayson Street near the intersection of Rt 221 (Floyd Pike) and East Grayson Street.

	Crooked Creek Wildlife Management Area 3590 Forest Oak R Woodlawn, VA 24381 work Work Phone: work276-730-3100
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes Area includes six miles of trout streams (some sections are stocked) plus 1,600 acres of mountain land available for hunting deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels and grouse. See visitor center staff for brochure and state fishing/hunting regulations. For fishing: daily permit required plus state fishing license. For hunting: license required. Concession stand sells permits, licenses and snacks during fee-fishing season which begins 1st Saturday in April thru September 30th open daily 6:00am - 4:00pm. The area provides outdoor enthusiasts numerous habitats to explore. Hiking, watching wildlife, and photographing nature are popular activities. Wildlife viewers will find a variety of wildlife year round with periods of hawk migration adding an interesting dimension. An array of wildflowers occurring in old field habitats provide summer nectaring areas for butterflies.

	Devil's Den Nature Preserve Birding & Wildlife Trail Old Appalachian Trail Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(276)728-2494
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes This trail system is a part of the statewide Birding and Wildlife Trail system of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The trail system is the first statewide program of its type. Carroll County has four trails within the Blue Ridge Highlands Loop. This attraction is a unique private nature preserve located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway on crest of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Devil's Den refers to a 600-millionyear- old cave formation on the side of a mountain. The cavern is unique in that it was formed by the movement of rock. The preserve contains 280 acres. Much of the tract is situated atop the mountain crest and is open meadow with forest on the slope. Trails cross the tract. Open sunrise-sunset, May-November.

	Fries to Byllesby New River Canoe Route Fries, VA 24330 work Work Phone: work(276) 766-3729
Show Notes	Show Map \|
Notes Virginia's New River offers excellent opportunities for the avid canoeing fan. Nearly seven miles of the New River pass through northwest Carroll County. The scenery of the river is 1spectacular and flows alongside the New River Trail State Park. According to the Galax-Grayson-Carroll Visitor's Guide, this stretch of river starts with: "Launch at the public landing in the Fries Town park/New River Trail State Park (from Main Street, pass the fire hall on your right and the Riverview Restaurant). Heading upstream will yield outstanding fishing below the dam. Downstream passes the double shoals below Fries and under the 1,089-foot trestle on the New River Trail into the flat waters behind Byllesby Dam, an American Electric Power hydro facility. Canoe take-out location 1 mile above the dam at Riverhill. Public boat ramp is on Rt 739.

	Granite Quarry Overlook Blue Ridge Parkway, MM 202.9 Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(828)298-0398
Show Notes	Show Map \|
Notes Carroll County offers 30 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway with easy access at Fancy Gap from I-77. Travelers to the parkway may wish to travel south from Fancy Gap to Milepost 202.9 to view the spectacular scenery of the Carolina Piedmont featuring a view of the Mt. Airy Granite quarry. From an elevation of 3,015 ft, much can be seen on a clear day. This is the highest rated parkway view in the county. On-site interpretive exhibit and panel reads "The white patch, dimly visible in the distance, is the Mt. Airy Granite Quarry, largest of its type in the United States. From it came the piece of granite below. Typically feldspar and quartz with a sprinkling of Black Biotite Mica. This granite is widely used in construction on mausoleums, statues, buildings, and bridges." The Blue Ridge Parkway is open seasonally.

	Kanawha Valley Arena 121 Kanawha Ridge Rd Dugspur, VA 24325 work Work Phone: work(540) 789-2084
Show Bio	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Biography 15 RV Sites with full hookups. Primitive sites also available. Shower house. Fire rings at each site. Firewood available on site. Creek for fishing. Located at the Kanawha Rodeo, hosting many annual events. See http://www.virginiarodeo.com.

	Lakeridge RV Resort 8736 Double Cabin Rd Hillsville, VA 24343 work Work Phone: work866-513-1773 Work Email: INTERNETinfo@lakeridgerv.com Facebook
Show Bio	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Biography "The Great Escape" in Southwest Virginia A Legacy RV Resort Big Rigs Welcome. Shady Spacious Tent Sites, 50 amp Pull Thru, Executive Cabins with lake views, Rally & Club Facilities, Paddle Boats, Fishing Lake, two 400ft Waterslides, two Heated Swimming Pools, Game Room with over 50 games, 8 Pool Tables, Restaurant & Snack Bar, Golf Cart Rental, Convenience Store, Media Center, Miniature Golf, Planned Activities & Theme Weekends, Daily Hay Rides, and a Playground!

	Lovill's Creek Lake Recreation Area 943 Speas Mill Road Cana, VA 24317 work Work Phone: work276-730-3100
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes Carroll County owns this 55 acre flood controlled lake and the 1Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries maintains a public boat ramp. The lake is stocked with large mouth bass, blue gill, sunfish, and channel catfish. Bank fishing and small electric motorboats are permitted. Also offered are handicap accessible barrier free boating and fishing opportunities. Boat access, pier fishing, and picnic shelters are all available. There is also a 1/2 mile walking trail. Open year round.

	Orchard Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway BR Parkway, Milemarker 193.5 Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(828) 298-0398
Show Notes	Show Map \|
Notes There are many unique and interesting things to see along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Carroll County. Aside from overlooks and historic and scenic waysides, are geological aspects of the landscape. The Orchard Gap location presents the visitor with an interesting panorama of a "mountain gap." One usually associates a mountain with a narrow pass through the mountains. Here in the Blue Ridge Plateau region, a gap is a somewhat large bowl landform. Historically, the gaps provided easier access through the crest of the Blue Ridge. Gaps also afforded early settlers with generally level land to farm. The Orchard Gap provides a glimpse of agricultural use of the land, as well as a view of the overall characteristic landscape. The elevation of this gap is 2,672 feet above mean sea level. Accommodations and food nearby - also large fruit orchards

	Peaceful Heart Alpacas Farm Store 1563 Misty Trail Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(276)728-4950 Facebook
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes Enjoy the alpacas, the views and the shopping! Our family farm located at Mile Post 204 on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers an opportunity to see these unique, ecologically friendly, fiber producing animals up close and to purchase a variety of items made from their luxurious fleece: locally made hand crafts and art, as well as fair trade certified items from Peru, the original home of alpacas, sweaters, socks, scarves, shawls, hand bags, toys, yarn, fiber for spinning, and books. Fiber art classes throughout the year in weaving, crochet, knitting, spinning, dyeing and felting. Farm is open, free of charge. Winter Hours: Fri, Sat & Mon 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. Tues-Thurs by appointment.

	Picnic Area at Groundhog Mountain, BRP BR Parkway, Milemarker 188.8 Laurel Fork, VA 24352 work Work Phone: work(828) 298-0398
Show Notes	Show Map \|
Notes This picnic area is ideal for stopping to enjoy the great outdoors with delightful scenery while you enjoy a hearty picnic meal. Many picnic tables are available with outdoor grills. There are walking areas nearby, including the Groundhog Mountain observation tower (built to resemble an old tobacco barn). The elevation at Groundhog Mountain is 3,035 ft). A restroom facility is available. This location is located north of Interstate 77 (Fancy Gap Exit) at Milepost 188.8. Just south of the picnic area is the Pilot Mountain Scenic Overlook. Carroll County offers 30 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

	Piedmont Scenic Overlook BR Parkway, Milemarker 203.8 Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(828) 298-0398
Show Notes	Show Map \|
Notes Travelers to the Blue Ridge Parkway will enjoy some of the 30 miles of scenery along this stretch within Carroll County, Virginia. The county offers an easy access to the parkway at Fancy Gap from I-77 (Exit 8). Travelers to the parkway may wish to travel south from Fancy Gap to Milepost 203.8 for an elevated perspective (2,980 ft)of the Carolina Piedmont below at an elevation of 1,000 feet. The overlook typifies the grandeur of what makes the Blue Ridge Parkway so popular.

	Pilot Mountain Scenic Overlook BR Parkway, Milemarker 189.1 Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(828) 298-0398
Show Notes	Show Map \|
Notes Travelers to the Blue Ridge Parkway will enjoy some of the 30 miles of scenery along this stretch within Carroll County, Virginia. The county offers an easy access the parkway at Fancy Gap from I-77 (Exit 8). Travelers to the parkway may wish to travel north from Fancy Gap to Milepost 189.1 for an elevated perspective (2,950 ft)of the Carolina Piedmont below at an elevation of 1,000 feet. Pilot Mountain, made famous as Andy Griffith's "Mt Pilot" can be seen some 12 miles to the southwest. The overlook typifies the grandeur of what makes the Blue Ridge Parkway so popular. Just north of this location is the Groundhog Mountain Scenic Overlook with its unique observation tower.

Related News:

Farmer’s Market

1

	Southwest Virginia Farmer's Market 239 Farmers Market Drive Hillsville, VA 24343 work Work Phone: work276.728.5540 Facebook
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes The Southwest Virginia Farmers' Market opened for business in 1992. It is a State owned facility operated by Carroll County. The market provides additional marketing alternatives for the agricultural producers of SW Va. It operates both Wholesale and Direct Retail sales. The Direct Retail sales is open each spring until December. Here farmers/vendors sell their produce directly to the public. The market is conveniently located next to I-77 (Exit 14) just west of Hillsville at the intersection with Route 58. Travelers will enjoy the opportunity to stop and purchase fresh locally grown produce and related products, such as jams, honey, and jellies. The market sponsors special festive events throughout the year. Product availability is based on season and hours of operation may vary with season.

Trails–Riding & Hiking

1

	Beaver Dam Creek Birding & Wildlife Trail Hillsville, VA 24343 work Work Phone: work(276)728-2128
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes This trail is a part of the statewide Birding and Wildlife Trail system of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Southwest Virginia is a part of the mountain area which includes 34 trail loops with 340 sites. Carroll County has four trails within the Blue Ridge Highlands Loop. This trail is also a part of the Mountain Warbler Trail loop, the first of its kind in VA. This is a walking trail with spectacular outdoor nature scenery within the Town of Hillsville. It is situated along a stream embankment with views of open fields opposite the creek and meanders through a peaceful canopy of hardwoods. The trail is open from sunup to sundown. Access is on Beaver Dam Road(If traveling north from Downtown Hillsville on Route 52, take a right onto Beaver Dam Road. Go 1/4 mile and parking at bottom of hill on left.

	Beaver Dam Walking Trail Hillsville, VA 24343 work Home Phone: home276-728-2128
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes Part of the Mountain Warbler Trail Loop this is a walking trail with spectacular nature scenery within the Town of Hillsville. It is situated along a creek embankment with views of open fields opposite the creek as the trail meanders through a peaceful canopy of hardwoods. The diversity of wildlife and plant life helped get the trail listed in the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail System. Wildflowers and butterflies add special character. The trail is open every day from sunup to sundown. The trail bed is lined with timbers and has a base of mulch. The path is better suited for walking. Access to the trail is on Beaver Dam Road (If traveling north from Downtown Hillsville on Main Street, you take a right onto Beaver Dam Road - at the Public Library. Follow for a 1/4 mile and parking is at bottom of hill on left - trailhead on the right).

	Birding & Wildlife Trails in Carroll County Carroll County, work Work Phone: work(866)VAB-IRDS
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes Carroll County hosts four sites of the Wildlife and Birding Trail system. The trail is the first statewide program of its kind. The trail loops in Carroll County are a part of the mountain area of the state that incorporates 34 trail loops with 340 sites in SW Virginia. The trail loops in Carroll County consist of Beaver Dam Creek Trail, Devil's Den Nature Preserve, Crooked Creek Wildlife Management Area, and the Stewarts Creek Wildlife Management Area. These sites are a part of the Blue Ridge Highlands Loop that spans from the New River to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The drive between each site is scenic and can provide extensive wildlife watching opportunities from the road. Whitetail deer is abundant throughout this area, as are woodchuck and eastern chipmunk. Sites often feature historic and geological characteristics.

	Crooked Creek WMA BIrding & Wildlife Trail Woodlawn, VA 24381 work Work Phone: work276-730-3100
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes This trail system is a part of the statewide Birding and Wildlife Trail system of the Virginia department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The trail system is the first statewide program of its type. Carroll County has four trails within the Blue Ridge Highlands Loop. Birding and Wildlife enthusiasts will find delight in the 1,796 acres contained within the Crooked Creek Wildlife Management Area. There are no formal trails within this area, which affords an ideal setting for nature lovers. Elevation ranges 2,400 ft to 3,000 ft. Great trout fishing, with stocked Rainbow and Brown. Open sunrise to sundown. Admission fee. Concessions open for permit sales, food, bait and tackle seasonal from the 1st Saturday in April thru September 30th daily 6:00am - 4:00pm. From Route 58, going west from Hillsville, take a left on Rt. 620 in the Woodlawn community and proceed four miles.

	Devil's Den Nature Preserve Birding & Wildlife Trail Old Appalachian Trail Fancy Gap, VA 24328 work Work Phone: work(276)728-2494
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes This trail system is a part of the statewide Birding and Wildlife Trail system of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The trail system is the first statewide program of its type. Carroll County has four trails within the Blue Ridge Highlands Loop. This attraction is a unique private nature preserve located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway on crest of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Devil's Den refers to a 600-millionyear- old cave formation on the side of a mountain. The cavern is unique in that it was formed by the movement of rock. The preserve contains 280 acres. Much of the tract is situated atop the mountain crest and is open meadow with forest on the slope. Trails cross the tract. Open sunrise-sunset, May-November.

	Kanawha Valley Arena 121 Kanawha Ridge Rd Dugspur, VA 24325 work Work Phone: work(540) 789-2084
Show Bio	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Biography 15 RV Sites with full hookups. Primitive sites also available. Shower house. Fire rings at each site. Firewood available on site. Creek for fishing. Located at the Kanawha Rodeo, hosting many annual events. See http://www.virginiarodeo.com.

	New River Trail State Park in Carroll County 451 Cliffview Road Galax, VA 24333 work Work Phone: work(276)236-8889
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes Included in Carroll County are two portions of this 57-mile long state park that follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way and parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles. The park offers biking, hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, and great scenery - not to mention a legacy steeped in history. Birding and Wildlife viewing is superb. Chestnut Creek Falls offers a captivating sight. This park also serves as a link to numerous other outdoor recreational areas, including a town park in Fries, Mt. Rogers National Recreational Area, four Department of Game and Inland Fisheries boat launches and Shot Tower Historical State Park. New River Trail is just minutes from Claytor Lake State Park and Grayson Highlands State Park.

	Primland Resort 2000 Busted Rock Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 work Work Phone: work276-222-3814 Work Email: INTERNETawalker@primland.com
Show Bio	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Biography More than anything, we protect the land. We were environmentally respectful long before the rest of the world caught on. In a place so wild and beautiful, it just seemed to us the right thing to do. The wildlife on this Blue Ridge plateau is abundant and treasured. You will see whitetail deer and wild turkeys, rainbow, brown or brook trout, songbirds of all varieties and stunningly beautiful wild flowers. Primland has demonstrated its commitment to a leadership role in initiatives that sustain and protect our environment, its flora and fauna and the area’s historical sites since the owners purchased the land in 1977. We are currently registered for LEED certification, an honor we expect to receive shortly. Primland was developed in a conscientious and thoughtful manner, and with every decision we make, we keep its potential impact on the environment top of mind. We are committed to finding the most effective green solutions, and engage in ongoing discussions with the world’s leading environmental advocates.

	Stewarts Creek WMA Birding & Wildlife Trail Lambsburg, VA 24351 work
Show Notes	Visit Website \| Show Map \|
Notes This trail system is a part of the statewide Birding and Wildlife Trail system of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland fisheries. The trail system is the first statewide program of its type. Carroll County has four trails within the Blue Ridge Highlands Loop. Birding and Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the 1,087 acres contained within the Stewarts Creek Wildlife Management Area. Hiking trails within this area, which affords an ideal setting for leisure nature lovers. Great fishing with native trout - "no harvest" rule. Open sunrise to sundown. Admission fee. From I-77, Exit 1, turn right, heading west on Lambsburg Rd for 1.2 miles to Chestnut Grove Rd. Turn left and follow to Parkwood Rd. Turn right and proceed 1.2 miles.