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{{Text hero
|title=Pulaski County, Virginia
|subtitle=Virginia local guide
|kind=place
}}
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{{Place header
|image=
|alt=
|kicker=NEW RIVER VALLEY • SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
|name=Pulaski County, Virginia
|summary=Lake days, rail-trail miles and Appalachian history meet in the New River Valley.
}}
</div>

{{Place quick facts
|label1=Region
|value1=[[Southwest Virginia]]
|label2=Type
|value2=County
|label3=Landscape
|value3=Lake, river and mountain foothills
|label4=Known for
|value4=Claytor Lake and New River Trail
}}
<div class="vw-place-intro">
Pulaski County is an outdoors-oriented corner of [[Southwest Virginia]], with two very different ways to spend time outside: boating and swimming on Claytor Lake, or walking, biking and riding along the New River Trail. The county also offers local museums and historic sites for visitors who want to explore its railroad, community and Civil War stories.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/
|title=Visit Pulaski VA
|website=Visit Pulaski
|publisher=Pulaski County Tourism
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

For a first visit, pair a few hours at Claytor Lake State Park with a stretch of the New River Trail, then leave time for the museums and historic landmarks around Pulaski and Dublin. Park facilities, trail access and seasonal activities can change; check official pages before setting out.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://virginiastateparks.gov/state-parks/claytor-lake
|title=Claytor Lake State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/new-river-trail
|title=New River Trail State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>
</div>

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{{Book destination
|destination=VA-PULASKI-COUNTY
|name=Pulaski County
}}
{{Viator maybe
|destination=VA-PULASKI-COUNTY
}}
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== Why visit Pulaski County? ==
Pulaski County is a good fit for travelers who like to build a trip around water and trails rather than a single attraction. Claytor Lake offers a broad waterside setting for boating, fishing, swimming and picnicking, while the New River Trail follows a former railroad corridor through river scenery, bridges and trestles. Both are state parks, but they offer distinct experiences: a lake-focused day at Claytor, or a choose-your-own-distance outing on the trail.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://virginiastateparks.gov/state-parks/claytor-lake
|title=Claytor Lake State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/new-river-trail
|title=New River Trail State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

History-minded visitors can add the county’s courthouse and transportation museum, or visit the Cloyd’s Mountain battlefield area. Together, these stops give the trip a local scale: landscapes to explore, and stories rooted in the county’s communities and transportation routes.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/culture-events
|title=Culture & Events
|website=Visit Pulaski
|publisher=Pulaski County Tourism
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

== What to see and do ==
<div class="vw-place-card-grid">
{{Place card
|title=Claytor Lake State Park
|link=Claytor Lake State Park
|text=Make the lake the centerpiece of a relaxed outdoor day, with opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and picnicking. The park also has a marina and visitor facilities; confirm current services, seasonal swimming availability and fees before you go.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://virginiastateparks.gov/state-parks/claytor-lake
|title=Claytor Lake State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>
}}
{{Place card
|title=New River Trail State Park
|link=New River Trail State Park
|text=Walk, bike or ride a section of the multi-use trail, which passes through Pulaski County and continues across the region. Near the county’s northern access points, the park map marks Dora Junction, Draper and the Hiwassee River Bridge. Check the current trail map for open sections and access information.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/new-river-trail
|title=New River Trail State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-newrivertrail.pdf
|title=New River Trail State Park Trail Guide
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>
}}
<div class="vw-place-card">
<h3>Historic Pulaski County Courthouse and Museum</h3>
<p>Visit the county’s historic courthouse site in Pulaski, a local landmark described by the county tourism organization as combining Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne architectural elements. Confirm museum access and visiting arrangements before making a special trip.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/culture-events
|title=Culture & Events
|website=Visit Pulaski
|publisher=Pulaski County Tourism
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref></p>
</div>
<div class="vw-place-card">
<h3>Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Transportation Museum</h3>
<p>Explore exhibits on Pulaski’s transportation and community history, including a model railroad display and historic artifacts. Check the museum’s current visitor information before visiting.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/culture-events
|title=Culture & Events
|website=Visit Pulaski
|publisher=Pulaski County Tourism
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref></p>
</div>
<div class="vw-place-card">
<h3>Cloyd’s Mountain battlefield area</h3>
<p>At this Civil War battlefield site near Dublin, a Virginia historical marker commemorates the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain, fought on May 9, 1864. Treat it as a history stop along a county drive and consult local visitor information for directions and site details.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/culture-events
|title=Culture & Events
|website=Visit Pulaski
|publisher=Pulaski County Tourism
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref></p>
</div>
</div>

== History and character ==
Pulaski County was established in 1839 from parts of Montgomery and Wythe counties. Its history is tied to the New River Valley’s communities and transportation links, including the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. The county tourism organization highlights the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain, a Union victory fought on May 9, 1864, and describes the railroad’s role in the battle’s significance.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/blogs/connected-stories-of-pulaski-countys-past
|title=Connected Stories of Pulaski County’s Past
|website=Visit Pulaski
|publisher=Pulaski County Tourism
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/culture-events
|title=Culture & Events
|website=Visit Pulaski
|publisher=Pulaski County Tourism
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

The county’s visitor appeal reflects that mix of landscape and local history. Its state parks provide the main outdoor draw, while museums and historical markers offer context in and around its towns and villages.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.pulaskicounty.org/about.html
|title=About Pulaski County
|website=Pulaski County, Virginia
|publisher=Pulaski County
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

== Planning a visit ==
A car is useful for combining the county’s spread-out parks, trail access points and town attractions. For a lake day, check Claytor Lake State Park’s current visitor information for hours, fees, swimming-season details and available facilities. For the New River Trail, review the current map and park notices before choosing a starting point, since trail access and open sections may vary.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://virginiastateparks.gov/state-parks/claytor-lake
|title=Claytor Lake State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/new-river-trail
|title=New River Trail State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

If your visit includes a museum or historic site, verify opening arrangements ahead of time. The county tourism website also lists local history stops and events that can help shape a route through Pulaski County.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/culture-events
|title=Culture & Events
|website=Visit Pulaski
|publisher=Pulaski County Tourism
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

== Nearby places and attractions ==
<div class="vw-place-explore-grid">
<div>
'''[[Pulaski, Virginia]]'''<br>
The county seat is a useful base for local museums, services and a closer look at county history.
</div>
<div>
'''[[Christiansburg, Virginia]]'''<br>
A neighboring New River Valley community and an option to pair with a wider regional trip.
</div>
<div>
'''[[Blacksburg, Virginia]]'''<br>
Explore the university town and other destinations in the New River Valley.
</div>
<div>
'''[[New River]]'''<br>
Learn more about the river landscape that shapes the county’s outdoor recreation and regional identity.
</div>
<div>
'''[[New River Water Trail]]'''<br>
Find a broader river-focused perspective on paddling and water recreation in the region.
</div>
<div>
'''[[Southwest Virginia]]'''<br>
Use the regional guide to plan a longer trip through the mountains, towns and outdoor destinations of southwest Virginia.
</div>
</div>

<div class="vw-amazon-flow">
'''Travel books and maps:''' [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Pulaski%20County%20Virginia%20travel%20guide%20map&tag=virginiawiki-20 Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon]
<div class="vw-affiliate-disclosure">As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.</div>
</div>

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [https://www.visitpulaskiva.org/ Visit Pulaski — official county tourism]
* [https://virginiastateparks.gov/state-parks/claytor-lake Claytor Lake State Park — Virginia State Parks]
* [https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/new-river-trail New River Trail State Park — Virginia State Parks]
* [https://www.pulaskicounty.org/ Pulaski County — official county website]
</div>

[[Category:Places in Virginia]]

Pulaski County, Virginia - Revision history

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