Grayson Highlands State Park (Virginia)

Want to experience Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains? Go to Grayson Highlands State Park for hiking trails, camping, great views and wild ponies!

By Elizabeth + Garrett Johnson

View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Grayson Highlands State Park trail. — View of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Grayson Highlands State Park has always had a special place in our hearts. We've made lasting memories here, and the views never fail to stop us in our tracks with a feeling of awe.

There are no grand mountains, glaciers, or glistening lakes, but the vistas you get for a small amount of effort at this park make it so worth it!

When you take in the view, it's easy to understand why they are called the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Hiker and dog standing on rocky overlook with view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. — View of the Blue Ridge Mountains

All those different shades of blue in the distance stop me every time.

It’s easy to just quickly look and keep on walking, but I would say: Don’t! Instead, spend some time really taking it in.

In the distance, with each varying shade of blue, rise mountains that have been there for countless years. They've weathered everything, and in their age have gotten smaller but no less majestic. Each of those shades of blue is home to so many beautiful creations.

This image of the Blue Ridge Mountains (which we call home) is something I will forever see in my memory.

That combined with the wild ponies make this place one of our favorites!

Want more park ideas in central Appalachia? Check out our trail guides for the New River Gorge and Pinnacle Rock State Park in West Virginia, the Smokies in Tennessee, and Carter Caves, Natural Bridge and Bernheim Forest in Kentucky.

Sign for Chestnut Hollow Campground. — Chestnut Hollow Campground

Winter Camping at Chestnut Hollow

We decided to squeeze in one last camping trip for the season in November 2020.

We've never camped that late in the year, but knew it would be a while before we could go again. Being softies, we have a camper, which does make camping later in the year very easy.

Recreational Vehicle set up for camping at Chestnut Hollow Campground. — Camping at Chestnut Hollow

November is off-season, so most things were closed. We stayed Chestnut Hollow, the campground typically used by the equestrians.

This time of the year there was no running water, but we came prepared and could only stay a few days anyway.

We had the campground to ourselves most of the time.

We did see a few brave souls, backpackers and a truck camper. Most only stayed for the day or at most one night.

Check out our guide for the best women's clothes for winter camping (to stay warm from the outside in) and our favorite camping kitchen gear (so your food can warm you from the inside out!).

Hiking trail with view of Blue Ridge Mountains in Grayson Highlands State Park. — Hiking Trail in Grayson Highlands

If you choose to come in colder weather, read up on what you need to know about visiting Grayson Highlands in winter.

Backpacking in Grayson Highlands

In the past we have backpacked here too.

If you’re into backpacking, we recommend this park for sure! Check out the park website for a full trail guide and backpacking information.

Grayson Highlands Trail Information Board. — Grayson Highlands Trail Information Board

Our Favorite Hiking Trails in Grayson Highlands

We were able to get in a few hikes during our stay. Grayson Highlands State Park offers many miles of varying trails.

Along some of them you can even spot wild ponies! Some of the ponies are very friendly; others have no interest in us.

Hiker with two dogs on leashes near a grazing wild pony. — Wild Ponies

Two wild ponies at Grayson Highlands State Park. — Wild Ponies

One of our favorite hikes here is Wilburn Ridge.

Sign for Wilburn Ridge Trail (Along the Appalachian Trail).

To access this trail, start at the Massie Gap Trail parking area.

Massie Gap Trail is nice in itself if you don’t want to continue on. But if you can muster up enough energy, Wilburn Ridge is fantastic.

Hiker and dogs on trail next to Massie Gap Trail Sign. — Massie Gap Trail Sign

When you reach the top of the trail you have the option (awesome opportunity), to do a little rock scrambling for some 360-degree views! Totally worth it!

Hiker near top of rock scramble. — Rock Scrambling

Hiker and dog on rocky overlook on Wilburn Ridge, viewing distant blue mountains in Grayson Highlands State Park. — Overview on Wilburn Ridge

Another trail off of Massie Gap is a trail with waterfalls called Cabin Creek.

Of course, Garrett couldn't help himself, so we had to take this one too. It was beautiful.

Cabin Creek Trailhead sign. — Cabin Creek Trail

Toward the end, it seemed like the trail never ended... because we had left the trail a long time ago!

However, the waterfalls just kept coming!

Waterfalls on the Cabin Creek Trail. — Waterfalls on the Cabin Creek Trail

Two hikers with waterfall behind them on Cabin Creek Trail.

Every time I would say, "This has to be the last one," we would hike up a little farther and sure enough, there was another.

It was worth the adventure!

Cabin Creek Trail in Grayson Highlands. — Cabin Creek Trail in Grayson Highlands

I could go on and on; however, to sum it all up: GO TO GRAYSON HIGHLANDS! You will not be disappointed.

Looking for more ideas in the area? Here are our top things to do in Damascus, Virginia.

About Elizabeth + Garrett Johnson

Hi! We are Garrett & Elizabeth from Beckley, WV. To pay the bills we are a firefighter and a nurse. We are also full-time volunteers. We also love backpacking, trail running, camping and hiking. We have 2 dogs who almost always drag us along on the trails. Follow Elizabeth at @smutko.girl.