Hiking at Grayson Highlands State Park
(276) 579-7092
829 Grayson Highland Lane
Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363
Latitude: 36.628322
Longitude: -81.496889
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Appalachian Spur Trail
Appalachian Spur Trail is an approximately 1 mile, moderate difficulty, hiking trail that starts at the backpackers parking lot. The trail passes through the woods to a grassy bald area before intersecting with the Appalachian Trail. If you continue on the AT just over a mile to the north you will come to the Wise Shelter.
Blaze Color: Blue
Usage:
- Length: 0.82
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Roots, Rocks
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a National Scenic Trail that consists of a footpath of more than 2,150 miles stretching from Mount Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia. Approximately one quarter of the trail lies in Virginia with portions passing through Grayson Highlands State Park and Sky Meadows State Park. For information on hiking the trail, contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at appalaciantrail.org, or look for a trail club in your area.
Blaze Color: White
Usage:
- Length: 2150
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Mixed
Big Pinnacle Trail
The Big Pinnacle Trail is a .4 mile, difficult trail that connects the western end of the Twin Pinnacles loop to the Massie Gap parking area. As the trail climbs Haw Orchard Mountain, hikers will find areas rich with mountain laurel, rhododendron, azaleas and other native plants. This trail is extremely steep and rocky and hikers should be cautious as it gets very slippery when wet.
Blaze Color: Yellow
Usage:
- Length: 0.4
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Roots, Rocks
Cabin Creek Trail
The Cabin Creek Trail is a 1.8 mile, Difficult, hiking loop that takes hikers from the grassy open areas of Massie Gap through wooded areas as they hike along Cabin Creek up towards the falls on Whitetop Mountain. One of the park's lesser used trails, the Cabin Creek Trail offers hillsides of Rhododendron and shady glades punctuated by the tumbling creek and quiet pools. While the pools of native brook trout are tempting, fishing the creek is prohibited inside the park. The trail is easy to hike most of the way, however the roughly 100 yard hike to the falls is very steep, rocky and slippery and earns the trail a moderate rating.
Blaze Color: Yellow
Usage:
- Length: 1.8
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Grass, Earth, Rocks
Listening Rock Trail
Listening Rock Trail is a 1.4 mile, moderate hiking loop that is accessible near the Visitor Center by the Buzzard Rock Overlook. Buzzard Rock derives its name from the turkey vultures that roosted here. English settlers were reminded of the buzzard hawks of their homeland, hence the name. The narrow trail runs downhill through the woods over fairly rocky terrain. About one half mile from Buzzard Rock Overlook is Listening Rock. Listening Rock is so named because the areas farmers would come here to locate grazing cattle by listening for their bells. This trail is closed from November 1 to May 1.
Blaze Color: Yellow
Usage:
- Length: 1.4
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Roots, Rocks
Rhododendron Trail
The Rhododendron Trail is a wide, half mile long, difficult trail, that connects to the Horse Trail in two places. The trail climbs Wilburn Ridge via a broad switchback through Catawba Rhododendron groves and beautiful fields of wildflowers in spring and early summer. Hiking this trail has many rewards. Beautiful views, spectacular sunsets, and the little-known herds of wild ponies that graze the upper ridges.
Blaze Color: Blue
Usage:
- Length: 0.5
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Natural, Rocky
Rock House Ridge Trail
Rock House Ridge Trail is a 1.4 mile, moderate difficulty loop that is accessible near the picnic area. At the trail head stands a large rock, the far side of which slants inward creating a shelter. Cherokee Indian artifacts were once found near this rock. During May and June you can find the pink lady's slipper orchid, or moccasin flower, growing in the woods near the 'rock house.' The trail winds through thickets of rhododendron along a narrow path, working uphill and downhill through hardwoods and mountain laurel and, for a short distance, alongside the Wilburn Branch Trail before returning to the trail head. This trail is closed from November 1 to May 1.
Blaze Color: Blue
Usage:
- Length: 1.4
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Rocks, Roots
Seed Orchard Trail
The Seed Orchard Trail is a 1.2 mile, moderate difficulty, extension of the network of mountain bike trails. The trail follows portions of Wilson's Creek and the Horse Trail. Please use caution when approaching or overtaking riders on horseback.
Blaze Color: Red
Usage:
- Length: 1.2
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Natural
Stampers Branch Trail
The Stampers Branch Trail is a 1.7 mile, difficult trail that connects the Visitor Center to the campground area. The trail passes through hardwood forest and canopies of huge rhododendron. Along the route there are several shelters and access to the main park road and the amphitheater. This trail is considerably steep in places and includes crossings of the Wilburn Branch and smaller creeks by way of boardwalks and natural fords.
Blaze Color: Yellow
Usage:
- Length: 1.7
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Rocks, Roots
Twin Pinnacles Trail
Twin Pinnacles Trail is a 1.4 mile, moderate difficulty loop, that is accessible from behind the Visitor Center and from the Big Pinnacle Trail. The trail connects the two highest points on Haw Orchard Mountain, Big Pinnacle and Little Pinnacle. At over 5,000 feet, these are the highest points inside the park and nearly 360 degree views are the hiker's reward. This area, like most of the park, is situated in a northern boreal forest with a variety of plant life.
Blaze Color: Red
Usage:
- Length: 1.4
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Rocks, Roots
Wilson Creek Trail
Wilson Creek Trail is a 1.78 mile, difficult loop trail that takes users from the Trout Dale campground area through shady hardwoods and along Wilson Creek. The trail passes through thickets of rhododendron and alongside the rushing waters of Wilson Creek, finally rewarding hikers with views of the 25 foot waterfall. The trail is narrow in places and has some steep uphill and downhill sections. Wilson Creek is a special regulation wild trout stream, regulated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Blaze Color: Red
Usage:
- Length: 1.78
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Rocks, Roots
Cabin Creek Falls
Cabin Creek Falls is a 25-foot waterfall that cascades in two streams that appear almost tropical. Ascending the trail along this waterfall brings you to another smaller fall. Cabin Creek originates between Cabin Ridge and Wilburn Ridge. Some of the cleanest and clearest waters in Virginia flow in this stream and over the waterfalls, cascading into dark pools at the bottom of the falls where native brook trout can still be found. The waterfalls are flanked by Big-toothed Aspens, a rare nothern tree in Virginia, large Yellow Birch, Fraser Fir, and abundant Rosebay Rhododendron making up the understory.
- Season/Hours: All Year/Dawn Until Dusk
- Fee: Included in regular parking fee
- Location:36° 38.0239 -81° 31.1294
Other Activities At Grayson Highlands State Park: Biking, Camping, Educational Activities, Fishing, Gifts and Shopping, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Picnicking, Winter Activities and Boating and Water Sports
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