Highland County Maple Festival

The Highland County Maple Festival turns the county’s late-winter maple season into a countywide celebration of working sugar camps, pancakes, maple doughnuts and local crafts. Held over two weekends in March, it is a rural, drive-between-stops event rather than a single-site fair; check the Chamber’s official festival page for the next dates, maps and current visitor details before setting out.

What the festival is

Since 1959, visitors have come to Highland County to see maple syrup being made at local sugar camps. The festival combines those demonstrations with pancake and buckwheat-cake meals, maple treats, live entertainment and a juried arts-and-crafts show. The Virginia General Assembly designated it the official maple festival of Virginia in 2014.

The festival is spread across the county, with Monterey as a central gathering point and additional activities in nearby rural communities. Visitors can watch different methods of collecting sap and boiling it down to syrup, and sample maple products and other local foods. Sugar-camp visits are generally free; meals, merchandise and some festival venues may have charges.

Plan your visit

The festival is traditionally held on the second and third weekends in March, but dates and schedules can change. For the 2027 edition, the Chamber lists March 13–14 and 20–21. Confirm event dates, opening hours, admission details and participating sugar camps on the official festival page as your trip approaches.

Download or pick up the festival’s official map and brochure before choosing a route. The Chamber describes the event as countywide, with rural roads connecting the camps and activities; planning stops in advance can help make the day easier. Its page also provides current directions and traffic advice when available.

March weather in the mountains can shift quickly, and many sugar-camp activities take place outdoors. Bring warm layers and sturdy, comfortable footwear. The Chamber recommends carrying cash, as some festival stops may have limited payment options. Lodging in the county can fill early during festival weekends, so arrange a stay well ahead of time and check current availability directly with providers.

What to see and taste

At a sugar camp, visitors can see how sap is gathered—by buckets or tubing—and boiled in pans or evaporators. Camps differ in their equipment and traditions, so visiting more than one can give a broader sense of the region’s maple-making practices. Check the current camp listings and access information before driving out; participating locations can vary by festival weekend.

Food is a major part of the outing. Look for pancakes or buckwheat cakes served with local maple syrup, maple doughnuts and other festival meals. Monterey’s arts-and-crafts venues bring together regional makers; the Chamber’s page lists current locations, schedules and any admission charges.

Visitor information

The Highland County Visitor Center is in a separate section of the Highlander restaurant at the junction of Routes 220 and 250 in Monterey. It offers local and regional information; contact the Chamber to confirm current arrangements or request brochures before your trip.

For a broader look at the area, start with Highland County, Virginia and Monterey, Virginia. The county’s official festival page is the best source for seasonal maps, participating camps, schedules and travel updates.

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References

External links

• Highland County Maple Festival — Highland County Chamber of Commerce
• Highland County Visitor Center — Highland County Chamber of Commerce
• A Sweet Escape to the Highland County Maple Festival — Visit Shenandoah Valley