NEW! 2025 Events in Damascus
Damascus has built quite the reputation for can't-miss events and we're adding something new to the 2025 season! In addition to the Appalachian Trail Days Festival in May, the world's largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail, and our Independence Day Celebration in July we also have a NEW! Damascus Adventure Moto DAM 200 Ride in June and Damascus Trout Days in April and September. Register early to secure your spot, you don't want to miss this!
Damascus, Virginia, Trail Town USA
Damascus is a small town with a BIG claim to fame: Several renowned trails intersect within our town limits, bestowing the honor of "Trail Town USA". As these trails pass through downtown Damascus, they bring along people, stories, and culture from all walks of life. Seven Trails at the Heart of Damascus: Virginia Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail (AT), Iron Mountain Trail, Backcountry Discovery Routes, TransAmerica Bicycle Trail / Route 76, TransVirginia Bike Route, and The Crooked Road.
Find your Way to Adventure!
We have some of the best outdoor recreation of the Southeast right in our backyard. There's an adventure for everyone here! The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail pass right through the heart of Damascus, along with several other long distance hiking, cycling, and motor routes. At the edge of town, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area stretches as far as the eye can see, across the highest peaks in the state, over high elevation mountain balds and spruce-fir forests, trout streams, and more than 500 miles of trails. Here you'll find the three highest peaks in Virginia: Mount Rogers, Whitetop Mountain, and Pine Mountain / Wilburn Ridge.
Thanks to the efforts of our community - local government, dedicated staff, scores of volunteers, and residents - we've found ways to turn these trails and our other outdoor recreation resources into a source of local pride, hospitality, and community revitalization.
Thanks to the efforts of our community - local government, dedicated staff, scores of volunteers, and residents - we've found ways to turn these trails and our other outdoor recreation resources into a source of local pride, hospitality, and community revitalization.
A fan favorite, the Virginia Creeper Trail is one of the most famous biking trails in the United States. Take a local shuttle to the top and enjoy the scenic, family-friendly, 17-mile ride back down along Whitetop Laurel Creek through the forest from historic Whitetop Station.
The Appalachian Trail (AT) brings through an eclectic mix of hikers year-round, whether out for just the day or set out on a months-long thru-hike. Come to Damascus anytime from April to June to experience the NOBO hiker bubble, when we see the highest concentration of thru-hikers, all enroute northbound to Mount Katahdin, Maine. The AT follows the sidewalk right through the middle of town, one of just three downtowns that are directly on the trail along its 2,200 mile length. From here, its not far to one of the most scenic sections of the entire AT - the Mount Rogers High Country. Damascus, Virginia is a designated AT Community and the proud home of the Damascus Trail Center and Appalachian Trail Days Festival.
The trail town lifestyle is adventurous and creative, yet relaxed. Stop and stay awhile in our vibrant downtown, where everyone is treated like a local. Take the time to explore all that Damascus has to offer.
This is the kind of place where you can be super active and seek new challenges (ultramarathons, anyone?), or where you can slow down to reconnect with nature, rejuvenate, and find your inner peace. It's a place where you can take time to make memories with friends and family. Most importantly, this is a place where you can find your own path.
From the many trails, parks, and public lands, to our shops and restaurants downtown, there is an adventure for everyone here. It's the kind of place where you'll find an adventure of your very own - one that makes you return again and again. We cherish this lifestyle and we know you will too.
The Appalachian Trail (AT) brings through an eclectic mix of hikers year-round, whether out for just the day or set out on a months-long thru-hike. Come to Damascus anytime from April to June to experience the NOBO hiker bubble, when we see the highest concentration of thru-hikers, all enroute northbound to Mount Katahdin, Maine. The AT follows the sidewalk right through the middle of town, one of just three downtowns that are directly on the trail along its 2,200 mile length. From here, its not far to one of the most scenic sections of the entire AT - the Mount Rogers High Country. Damascus, Virginia is a designated AT Community and the proud home of the Damascus Trail Center and Appalachian Trail Days Festival.
The trail town lifestyle is adventurous and creative, yet relaxed. Stop and stay awhile in our vibrant downtown, where everyone is treated like a local. Take the time to explore all that Damascus has to offer.
This is the kind of place where you can be super active and seek new challenges (ultramarathons, anyone?), or where you can slow down to reconnect with nature, rejuvenate, and find your inner peace. It's a place where you can take time to make memories with friends and family. Most importantly, this is a place where you can find your own path.
From the many trails, parks, and public lands, to our shops and restaurants downtown, there is an adventure for everyone here. It's the kind of place where you'll find an adventure of your very own - one that makes you return again and again. We cherish this lifestyle and we know you will too.
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Let's plan a road trip! Damascus, VA is:
less than 30 miles from Bristol VA/TN
less than 40 miles from Boone NC
133 miles from Roanoke VA
140 miles from Charlotte NC
140 miles from Knoxville TN
168 miles from Greenville SC
293 miles from Richmond VA
304 miles from Atlanta GA
less than 30 miles from Bristol VA/TN
less than 40 miles from Boone NC
133 miles from Roanoke VA
140 miles from Charlotte NC
140 miles from Knoxville TN
168 miles from Greenville SC
293 miles from Richmond VA
304 miles from Atlanta GA
Livability Magazine, Washington County
Living in Washington County means you can truly enjoy the outdoors. Views of the Blue Ridge Mountains make for breathtaking scenery, and the county’s Great Valley region provides for all kinds of water fun in the area’s lakes, rivers and streams. And we can’t forget about the hiking and biking – Washington County residents have access to both the Appalachian and Virginia Creeper trails. Plus, with restaurants like Mamma Mia in the area, you’ll love chowing down on the local cuisine. Speaking of food, agriculture is a top industry here – there are 1,600 farms in the county.
View the 2024 Livability Magazine online.
Livability Magazine, Washington County
Living in Washington County means you can truly enjoy the outdoors. Views of the Blue Ridge Mountains make for breathtaking scenery, and the county’s Great Valley region provides for all kinds of water fun in the area’s lakes, rivers and streams. And we can’t forget about the hiking and biking – Washington County residents have access to both the Appalachian and Virginia Creeper trails. Plus, with restaurants like Mamma Mia in the area, you’ll love chowing down on the local cuisine. Speaking of food, agriculture is a top industry here – there are 1,600 farms in the county.
View the 2024 Livability Magazine online.
