Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Jefferson National Forest adventure.
Literally thousands of miles of hiking trails can take you anywhere you want to go.
Explore two national forests in western Virginia that total 1.8 million acres. The Forest Service manages 1 million acres as wilderness areas, meaning they offer mile after mile of unspoiled, pristine lands.
Begin with extreme southwestern Virginia at Mount Rogers. It's the highest peak in a state filled with mountains on its western backbone. Mount Rogers is 5,279 feet above sea level. A 3.5-mile trail leads to the top.
Let loose with a yelp of speed at Russell Fork River Gorge. It's one of the deepest river gorges east of the Mississippi. Spend a day here after hiking up Mount Rogers.
See the spooky ghost town of Lignite in Botetourt County. This town thrived on iron ore until the 1920s. The last residents left in the 1950s. Chimneys are the most obvious remnants of this town. Drive to nearby Roaring Run Furnace for another historical site.
Getting to this forest is easy thanks to the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are plenty of campgrounds and cabins for accommodations.