Blue Ridge Country May/June 2024 - BRPG23

Mill. Consider a visit to
nearby Chateau Morrisette,
a winery that also offers a
restaurant, gift shop and
events, as well as great
views of the surrounding
mountains. Consider a
hike in nearby Rocky Knob
Recreational Area or the
challegning trek down into
Rock Castle Gorge. Glamp
less than a mile from
the parkway in a vintage
camping trailer including a
1975 Airstream, all outfitted
with modern amenities at
Stargazer Park.
CARROLL COUNTY
Don't Miss Devil's Den
Nature Preserve, Milepost
199.5:
The 280-acre preserve is
home to a 600-million-yearold
ridgeside cave formation
that lies beneath a cache
of large, jutting boulders.
A .9-mile out-and-back will
carry you downhill through
mature hardwood forests
that, in summer, often
bring glimpses of migratory
songbirds like red-eyed
vireo, hooded warblers,
scarlet tanager and indigo
bunting. To get there, exit
the parkway at Fancy Gap,
head south on Va. 608 for
about a mile, then turn left
onto Cemetery Road and
proceed to the parking area
just past Morris Cemetery.
Visit Fancy Gap:
The 250-person highland
community sits at an
elevation of about 3,100
feet and, with the parkway
passing just east of its
center, has become a
well-known mountain
gateway. Book one of 12
new, colonial-style log
cabins with porch views of
mountaintop pastures and
forests at Lonesome Pine
Cabins. Fancy Gap Country
Store brings old-school
general store vibes, housesmoked
meat dishes with
classic southern sides and
local Americana music on
weekends.
GRAYSON COUNTY
Don't Miss Blue Ridge Music
Center, Milepost 213:
Here you'll find a 3,000-seat
amphitheater that routinely
features performances
by music greats like the
Steep Canyon Rangers,
Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs
and Sierra Ferrell. Its
GRAYSON HIGHLANDS I OFF BRP AT MP 215.7
17,000-square-foot visitor
center houses the Roots of
American Music Museum,
which explores the rich
musical traditions of the
Blue Ridge and surrounding
areas. Four miles of hiking
trails bring access to 3,300foot
Fishers Peak, forest
wetlands and high-elevation
meadows with an amazing
diversity of summer
wildflowers that act as a
beacon for butterflies.
DID
YOU
Carroll County's Kanawha Valley Arena Resort
offers authentic, western-themed adventure on
more than 250 acres just 12 miles from the parkway
in Dugspur. There's a wood-rich, old-time western
saloon and hotel; carriage museum dedicated to
historic horse-and-buggies; seasonal rodeo events
and more. You can also book carriage rides or
guided horseback tours around the property.
Visit Galax:
Galax occupies a 2,500foot
plateau that straddles
Grayson and Carroll counties
- and is famous for its
namesake Old Fiddler's
Convention, the oldest
continuously held old-time
and bluegrass music festival
in the U.S. Stay just outside
of town on the wooded
banks of Chestnut Creek
at New River Trail Cabins.
Take your pick from a dozen
well-equipped log-home
suites that sit within a
stone's throw of New River
Trail State Park. Eat at Creek
Bottom Brewing Company,
where you'll enjoy eight
house-brewed beers and
a menu that includes brick
oven pizzas, tacos, smoked
brisket platters and more.
DID
YOU
In Grayson
County, the
southern terminus
of 57-milelong
New River
Trail State Park
is found in a
railroad-stationturned-publicgreenspace
on
the edge of
Galax. Land for
the rail-to-trail
was donated by
the Norfolk &
Western Railroad
in 1987 and the
park was one of
the first of its kind
in the state. It
brings astonishing
seclusion,
picturesque views
of the New River,
a pair of railway
tunnels and 32
historic trestle
bridges.
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 23
Know
Know
STOCK ADOBE
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country May/June 2024
