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Highland County, Virginia

From Virginia.wiki
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Region
Allegheny Mountains

County seat
Monterey

Landscape
Mountain ridges and valleys

Known for
Maple season, scenic drives and rural heritage


Highland County is a quiet mountain destination where travel is shaped by winding roads, open pastureland and small communities. The county seat, Monterey, is a natural starting point for exploring the area; U.S. Routes 250 and 220 lead into town, and the local visitor center offers maps and trip-planning information. [1] [2]

The county is especially associated with maple sugaring and its spring Highland County Maple Festival, when sugar camps and community events draw visitors across the area. Outside festival season, its appeal is the slower pace: mountain scenery, local history, trails and rural roads best explored with time to stop along the way. Festival dates and activities change, so check the organizers’ current information before making plans. [3]

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Why visit Highland County?

Highland is a place for travelers who enjoy scenic drives, small-town stops and outdoor exploration more than a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. Its mountain setting and agricultural character are part of the experience: allow time to travel between communities, take in the views and check local maps before heading onto back roads.

The county also offers several ways to connect a visit with its past. In Monterey, a self-guided walking tour introduces the county seat; in McDowell, the museum and battlefield sites interpret the 1862 Battle of McDowell and the community’s earlier history. [4] [5]

What to see and do

Highland County Maple Festival

Plan a spring visit around the county’s signature maple celebration. The festival features sugar camps and community activities; use the official current-year map and schedule to plan stops, and check dates and arrangements before traveling. [6]


Hayfields State Park

Explore trails through wooded mountain land and valley pasture, or visit the Bullpasture River. The park’s facilities, access and current conditions can change; consult Virginia State Parks before setting out. [7]



McDowell Battlefield and Highland County Museum

Visit the 1851 Mansion House, which served as a hospital during the Battle of McDowell and now houses the Highland County Museum and battlefield orientation center. Visitors can also follow the battlefield trail or driving tour. Museum season and hours are limited and may change; confirm current access before visiting. [8] [9]

Historic Monterey

Walk the county seat at your own pace with the Historic Monterey walking-tour brochure, available through the county tourism organization. Pair the stroll with a stop at the visitor center for local maps and information. [10] [11]

Back roads and barn quilts

Use the county tourism map and Barn Quilt Trail guide to discover painted quilt blocks displayed on barns and other buildings along rural roads. Check the route information before setting out, and drive carefully on narrow or winding roads. [12] [13]

History and character

Highland County was formed in 1847 from parts of Bath and Pendleton counties. Settlement in the area dates to the mid-18th century, and the county’s mountain geography shaped both its communities and the routes connecting them. U.S. Route 250 follows the historic Staunton–Parkersburg Turnpike corridor, an important route through the region. [14]

The Battle of McDowell was fought on May 8, 1862, during the Civil War’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The battlefield and the Mansion House museum in McDowell help visitors understand the local story within the wider campaign. The county’s historical society also preserves local collections and shares information about Highland’s communities and heritage. [15] [16]

Planning a visit

Highland County is a rural destination, and driving is the practical way to reach its communities and attractions. U.S. Routes 250 and 220 connect Monterey with regional highways; both routes pass through mountain country, so allow time for winding-road travel and check a current map or traffic information before departure. [17]

Start trip planning with the Highland County Visitor Center in Monterey and the chamber’s tourism map, event calendar and business directory. The visitor center’s location and operating hours may change; confirm current information before stopping. [18] [19]

For outdoor visits, check the relevant land manager’s page for current access, trail conditions, regulations and facilities. Hayfields State Park lists hiking and biking trails and fishing access along the Bullpasture River; fishing requires the applicable Virginia license and trout stamp. Verify park details and requirements before setting out. [20]

Nearby places and attractions

Bath County, Virginia
Explore another Allegheny Mountain county neighboring Highland to the south.



Augusta County, Virginia
Head east toward the Shenandoah Valley and the communities around Staunton.



Staunton, Virginia
A regional city east of Highland County, reached by following U.S. Route 250 across the mountains.



Shenandoah Valley
Discover the broad valley region east of Highland and its towns, landscapes and history.



Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon

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References

  1. ↑ Directions & Maps, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  2. ↑ Visitor Center, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  3. ↑ Highland County Maple Festival, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  4. ↑ Brochures, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ Visit the McDowell Battlefield, Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  6. ↑ Highland County Maple Festival, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  7. ↑ Hayfields State Park, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  8. ↑ Visit the McDowell Battlefield, Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  9. ↑ Highland Historical Society, Highland Historical Society. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  10. ↑ Brochures, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  11. ↑ Visitor Center, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  12. ↑ Things to Do, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  13. ↑ Brochures, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  14. ↑ A Brief History of Highland County, Virginia, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  15. ↑ Visit the McDowell Battlefield, Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  16. ↑ Highland Historical Society, Highland Historical Society. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  17. ↑ Directions & Maps, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  18. ↑ Visitor Center, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  19. ↑ Things to Do, Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  20. ↑ Hayfields State Park, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
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