See the Heart of Appalachia
Virginia’s outdoor mecca — in motion
Hike to a hidden waterfall. Ride 300 miles of ATV trails. Catch live bluegrass at the Carter Family Fold. The Heart of Appalachia is southwest Virginia’s best-kept secret — and it’s closer than you think.
Explore the Region
Featured Destinations
Birch Knob Observation Tower, a restored climbable fire tower on the Virginia-Kentucky line, opens a full 360-degree panorama over Pine Mountain ridges.
Breaks Interstate Park, the Grand Canyon of the South, pairs mile-deep rim overlooks with Russell Fork whitewater, elk tours, canyon ziplining, hiking, camping and more.
High Knob Observation Tower crowns the Cumberland Mountains' highest point at 4,200 feet, an ADA-accessible climb to layered ridgeline and sunset views.
Virginia’s Outdoor Mecca and Beyond
Tucked into the far southwest corner of Virginia, the Heart of Appalachia spans seven counties and the city of Norton — a region defined by ancient mountains, wild rivers, and a culture rooted deep in Appalachian tradition. Whether you’re hiking to a hidden waterfall, riding world-class ATV trails, or catching live bluegrass at the Carter Family Fold, this is a place that rewards the adventurous.
The Heart of Appalachia spans seven Southwest Virginia counties plus the City of Norton, where outdoor adventure, preserved landscapes, and authentic mountain culture come together.
Discover easy hiking trails across Southwest Virginia perfect for beginners and families. From riverside walks to scenic rail trails, these beginner-friendly hikes in the Heart of Appalachia are doable for all fitness levels and ages.
Virginia's most iconic waterfall hike features a crystal-clear swimming pool, scenic creek crossings, and a hidden bonus waterfall. Complete visitor guide to Devil's Bathtub Trail in Scott County with parking, difficulty, and safety information.
From an ADA-accessible cascade to Virginia's most Instagrammed swimming hole, the Heart of Appalachia Waterfall Trail connects the 7 best waterfalls in Southwest Virginia—plus historic mill dams you can photograph without hiking a single step.
Gone for more than 150 years, elk are back in Southwest Virginia—250+ strong. Here's where, when, and how to see Virginia's only wild elk herd, from Breaks Interstate Park to the viewing platforms at The Breaks at Southern Gap.
There are sunsets, and then there is dinner with Virginia's elk herd. The Dine with the Elk sunset tours at Breaks Interstate Park pair a park-prepared boxed dinner with golden-hour views across the Cumberland Mountains—and front-row seats to fall bugling.
Five state parks, one compact region: zipline the Grand Canyon of the South, walk through a limestone tunnel, tour a frontier fort, step into the coal boom era, and paddle North America's most biodiverse river—all in the Heart of Appalachia.
The Crooked Road runs straight through the Heart of Appalachia—Carter Family Fold Saturday nights, the Ralph Stanley Museum, Country Cabin II, and a dozen more stages where mountain music is still played, still shared, and still thriving.
From the five-state views atop High Knob to Birch Knob's 360-degree fire tower, Powell Valley's glowing cliffs, and Flag Rock above Norton - here is where the light meets the land in Southwest Virginia, plus the hidden pull-offs locals love.
The Clinch is the most biodiverse river in North America - 50+ mussel species, hellbenders, eagles overhead - and its Class I-II water makes it perfect for beginners. Here's how to plan your first float, from outfitters to river treasure.
