Welcome to Trail Town USA! When exploring outdoors, plan ahead and be prepared with water, food, and first aid supplies.
Q: When is Trail Days? The Town-Wide Yard Sale?
A: The Appalachian Trail Days Festival is always the weekend after Mother’s Day. The Town-wide yard sale is always the weekend before Trail Days.
Tip: Find more information on all upcoming and annual events on our Events Calendar.
Q: Where can I find parking?
A: Parking is free to the public. There is street parking throughout downtown, plus short-term lots at the Town Park and Town Pool. Many businesses have their own parking as well. If you are staying at lodging in town, we recommend that you "park and ride" during your stay here - park at your lodging and walk or ride bikes around town as much as possible. Damascus is a small town, and besides, anywhere is walking distance if you have enough time (even Maine!). Get more information and register for long-term parking here.
Q: Where is the best place to stay in town if I’m visiting?
A: With plenty of lodging options, we have something for everyone in Damascus and you'll be able to stay right on the trail. Choose from a mix of bed & breakfasts, lodges, inns, hostels, and vacation rentals in town. If you would like to bring an RV or camper, we have several campgrounds with hook-ups, both in town and in nearby National Forest. For more information, browse under the “STAY” tab.
Tip: Be sure to give our Damascus Business Group members a look first!
Q: I want to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail. Where can I rent a bike in town?
A: There are seven outfitters in town that provide bike rental and shuttle service on the Virginia Creeper Trail. The most popular section of trail is 17 miles downhill from Whitetop Station back to Damascus. More information on the trail and bike outfitters here.
Fun Fact: The Virginia Creeper Trail was inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2014.
Q: How do I get to the trail?
A: The Appalachian Trail? If you’re on Main Street, you’re on it! Tip: Follow the white blazes, you’ll either end up in Tennessee or West Virginia. The Virginia Creeper Trail? It runs through the middle of town two blocks south of Laurel Avenue (Main Street). The Damascus trailhead of the Virginia Creeper Trail is located by the big red caboose in the Town Park. More information on hiking and other activities here.
Q: I’m planning to start hiking the Appalachian Trail in Damascus, how do I get to Damascus via public transportation?
A: The nearest Greyhound Bus Stations to Damascus are in Bristol, TN and Marion, VA. You may also be able to catch a blue Mountain Lynx transport bus; their schedule is available HERE.
Q: I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail. Can I have mail sent to Damascus?
A: Yes, the Damascus Post Office holds mail for thru-hikers for an extended period. Visit our Post Office page for more information.
Q: Y’all put in my brick yet?
A: Brick? Oh! For those who bought a brick as part of the Community Pathways project on the Appalachian Trail, your brick has already been installed – December 2016 marked the completion of Phase 2, and the project is currently on hiatus until Phase 3 begins at a time TBD. Tip: This project will begin Phase 3 in the near future, please make sure you get on the list to get a brick first. Don’t miss your chance to leave your mark on the Appalachian Trail!
Q: When is the peak season for the changing Fall leaves?
A: Damascus is beautiful any time of the year but there's something extra magical about leaf season. Due to the wide range of elevations near town, you can expect to find peak leaf color somewhere nearby for the whole month of October.
To suggest additions to the FAQs page, please contact the webmaster.
Q: When is Trail Days? The Town-Wide Yard Sale?
A: The Appalachian Trail Days Festival is always the weekend after Mother’s Day. The Town-wide yard sale is always the weekend before Trail Days.
Tip: Find more information on all upcoming and annual events on our Events Calendar.
Q: Where can I find parking?
A: Parking is free to the public. There is street parking throughout downtown, plus short-term lots at the Town Park and Town Pool. Many businesses have their own parking as well. If you are staying at lodging in town, we recommend that you "park and ride" during your stay here - park at your lodging and walk or ride bikes around town as much as possible. Damascus is a small town, and besides, anywhere is walking distance if you have enough time (even Maine!). Get more information and register for long-term parking here.
Q: Where is the best place to stay in town if I’m visiting?
A: With plenty of lodging options, we have something for everyone in Damascus and you'll be able to stay right on the trail. Choose from a mix of bed & breakfasts, lodges, inns, hostels, and vacation rentals in town. If you would like to bring an RV or camper, we have several campgrounds with hook-ups, both in town and in nearby National Forest. For more information, browse under the “STAY” tab.
Tip: Be sure to give our Damascus Business Group members a look first!
Q: I want to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail. Where can I rent a bike in town?
A: There are seven outfitters in town that provide bike rental and shuttle service on the Virginia Creeper Trail. The most popular section of trail is 17 miles downhill from Whitetop Station back to Damascus. More information on the trail and bike outfitters here.
Fun Fact: The Virginia Creeper Trail was inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2014.
Q: How do I get to the trail?
A: The Appalachian Trail? If you’re on Main Street, you’re on it! Tip: Follow the white blazes, you’ll either end up in Tennessee or West Virginia. The Virginia Creeper Trail? It runs through the middle of town two blocks south of Laurel Avenue (Main Street). The Damascus trailhead of the Virginia Creeper Trail is located by the big red caboose in the Town Park. More information on hiking and other activities here.
Q: I’m planning to start hiking the Appalachian Trail in Damascus, how do I get to Damascus via public transportation?
A: The nearest Greyhound Bus Stations to Damascus are in Bristol, TN and Marion, VA. You may also be able to catch a blue Mountain Lynx transport bus; their schedule is available HERE.
Q: I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail. Can I have mail sent to Damascus?
A: Yes, the Damascus Post Office holds mail for thru-hikers for an extended period. Visit our Post Office page for more information.
Q: Y’all put in my brick yet?
A: Brick? Oh! For those who bought a brick as part of the Community Pathways project on the Appalachian Trail, your brick has already been installed – December 2016 marked the completion of Phase 2, and the project is currently on hiatus until Phase 3 begins at a time TBD. Tip: This project will begin Phase 3 in the near future, please make sure you get on the list to get a brick first. Don’t miss your chance to leave your mark on the Appalachian Trail!
Q: When is the peak season for the changing Fall leaves?
A: Damascus is beautiful any time of the year but there's something extra magical about leaf season. Due to the wide range of elevations near town, you can expect to find peak leaf color somewhere nearby for the whole month of October.
To suggest additions to the FAQs page, please contact the webmaster.