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| Welcome to Damascus and Mt Rogers NRA |
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| Damascus, Virginia, is popularly referred to as "the friendliest town on the Appalachian Trail." Situated in the beautiful Southwest Virginian mountains, the Damascus area offers a wide range of activities for adventurous visitors of any skill level.
Hiking
The Appalachian Trail runs right through the center of town and its thru-hikers congregate annually in the local park for the Damascus Trail Days festival, held for one weekend every May. The AT is a major component of the culture in Damascus, and we feel that everyone who visits should experience the beauty that the backcountry has to offer. Our experts here at Mt Rogers Outfitters can help you plan your next trip, be it a relaxing day hike through the Grayson Highlands area or a challenging fourteener along the Appalachian Trail. We also provide expert gear advice, hiker shuttles, and affordable lodging at Dave's Place, our hiker hostel.
Biking
The Virginia Creeper Trail also runs right through Damascus and is one of the most popular tourist attractions, especially during the summer and fall months. The trail itself is about 34 miles long and runs from Whitetop Mountain to Abingdon, VA. Damascus is the halfway point on the trail, and the majority of Creeper Trail riders bike the 17 miles downhill from Whitetop to Damascus. Our friends down at Blue Blaze can provide you with a reliable bike to rent and a shuttle ride to the top for a reasonable price. Looking for something a little more challenging than the Creeper Trail? Check out our section on biking for more detailed information on single and double tracks in the area.
Kayaking
Damascus is conveniently located near numerous bodies of water that provide anything from flat water paddling to class III+ creeking. Beaver Dam Creek and Whitetop Laurel are the two popular creek runs near Damascus. The South Fork of the Holston River flows out of Whitetop Laurel and offers a great 8 mile run of class II/III rapids for open boaters, kayakers, and even tubers! Look at the section on kayaking for flow information and directions to the put in and take out.
Rock Climbing
From bouldering to trad climbing, the mountains around Damascus offer plenty of sweet places to climb. The Grayson Highlands area is known for its exceptional bouldering spots, many of which are relatively secluded. Climbing up at Hidden Valley is well worth the hike in, but make sure to check out our section on climbing for parking directions and route descriptions; there is a landowner who refuses to allow climbers on certain portions of Hidden Valley.
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| Sunset at Hidden Valley |
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