Welcome to the Friendliest Town on the Trail!
Damascus VA, Trail Town USA
Find your Way to Adventure
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.
Virginia Creeper Trail
Appalachian Trail (AT)
Iron Mountain Trail
Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route
TransAmerica Bicycle Trail / Route 76
TransVirginia Bike Route
The Crooked Road
We have some of the best outdoor recreation of the Southeast right in our backyard. There's an adventure for everyone here! 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 and community revitalization.
Virginia Creeper Trail
Appalachian Trail (AT)
Iron Mountain Trail
Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route
TransAmerica Bicycle Trail / Route 76
TransVirginia Bike Route
The Crooked Road
We have some of the best outdoor recreation of the Southeast right in our backyard. There's an adventure for everyone here! 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 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 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.
We cherish the lifestyle that this affords us. It’s the sounds of families enjoying the Virginia Creeper Trail. It’s the creativity found in our downtown artisans. It’s the intermingling of cultures as the hikers signal the Spring-time with their arrival on the Appalachian Trail. It’s the taste of the signature beer and spirits at our local microbrewery and distillery. It’s the inspiration of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in our backyard. It’s the conversations, the sharing of stories and shaping of memories, and the smiles of a welcoming community.
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're sure to find an adventure of your very own, one that makes you want to return again and again. We cherish this lifestyle and we know you will too.
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.
We cherish the lifestyle that this affords us. It’s the sounds of families enjoying the Virginia Creeper Trail. It’s the creativity found in our downtown artisans. It’s the intermingling of cultures as the hikers signal the Spring-time with their arrival on the Appalachian Trail. It’s the taste of the signature beer and spirits at our local microbrewery and distillery. It’s the inspiration of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in our backyard. It’s the conversations, the sharing of stories and shaping of memories, and the smiles of a welcoming community.
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're sure to find an adventure of your very own, one that makes you want to return again and again. We cherish this lifestyle and we know you will too.
Let's plan a road trip! Damascus is:
less than 30mi from Bristol TN
less than 40mi 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 30mi from Bristol TN
less than 40mi 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
Note: In Damascus, please WALK bicycles on the sidewalks or ride on the roads. When riding on the roads, cyclists must follow traffic patterns and obey all traffic laws. It is a violation of Damascus Town Code, Ordinance 50.5 to ride bicycles on sidewalks.

2023 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 2023 Livability Magazine online.
2023 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 2023 Livability Magazine online.