Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands
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Region
Southwest Virginia
Type
Official Virginia tourism region
Communities
Small cities, towns and rural mountain communities
Known for
The Crooked Road, mountain landscapes and outdoor recreation
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Highlands is an official tourism region in Southwest Virginia, where mountain roads connect music-minded towns, historic places and outdoor destinations. The regional experience ranges from Bristol and Abingdon to Galax, Floyd and communities around the New River Valley. Start with a live-music stop, build in a scenic drive or trail day, and leave time for the distinct character of the region’s small towns.[1]
Plan a trip to Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands
Why go
The Blue Ridge Highlands is a good fit for travelers who want a mountain trip with a strong cultural thread. Traditional Appalachian music is part of the region’s living identity, and the Crooked Road links communities and venues where visitors can encounter old-time, bluegrass, gospel and related traditions. Depending on the route, a trip can combine performances and local history with hiking, cycling, waterways or a drive through mountain scenery.[2]
The region’s official tourism listing includes communities such as Abingdon, Blacksburg, Bristol, Christiansburg, Damascus, Floyd, Galax, Marion, Pulaski, Radford and Wytheville, as well as surrounding counties. It is a broad travel region rather than one compact destination, so choosing a base—or planning a multi-stop route—helps make driving times manageable.[3]
Highlights
Follow a regional driving trail connecting communities and venues that celebrate Southwest Virginia’s traditional music heritage.
Plan a scenic drive with overlooks and stops along the Parkway; check the National Park Service’s current road status before setting out.
Explore high-country trails and mountain scenery. Ponies may be encountered on the trails; keep a safe distance and do not feed or pet them.
Use this historic town as a gateway to Southwest Virginia attractions, including Barter Theatre and the Virginia Creeper Trail area.
Visit a city closely associated with country music history and the 1927 Bristol Sessions.
Explore a small mountain town known as a stop on The Crooked Road and for its local music and arts scene.
The region’s tourism highlights also include the Floyd Country Store, Barter Theatre in Abingdon, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. What to prioritize depends on the trip: choose a performance or cultural stop for an evening, then pair it with a daytime drive, walk or park visit.[4]
History and character
The Highlands’ history is shaped by its mountain communities and by the people who have sustained local music, crafts and other cultural traditions. The Crooked Road presents that heritage as a living practice, connecting venues and communities across Southwest Virginia rather than treating music as a story confined to the past.[5]
The area also holds important African American history. Booker T. Washington was born enslaved in 1856 on a tobacco plantation in Franklin County; the National Park Service preserves and interprets the birthplace landscape at Booker T. Washington National Monument. Its story connects the region’s local history to slavery, emancipation, education and Washington’s later public life.[6]
Planning a trip
Because the region spans many communities, plan around a few nearby stops rather than trying to cover the entire area in a short visit. A town-based stay can pair easily with local dining and music; a road-trip itinerary can link several towns with outdoor stops. Check event calendars directly with venues, since performance schedules and seasonal events can change.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic route, not a fast connector. In Virginia, signed access points are available from Interstates 64, 81 and 77. Parkway addresses use mileposts, and the National Park Service advises visitors to check road closures and use official maps when planning a drive. Road, weather and construction conditions can change, so confirm current status before departure.[7][8]
At Grayson Highlands State Park, hikers may see ponies on the highland trails. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation asks visitors not to approach, feed or pet them; check the park’s current information for trail conditions, access and visitor guidance before going.[9]
Explore nearby
Southwest Virginia
Explore the broader mountain region and its communities, cultural routes and outdoor destinations.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Learn about the mountain landscape that frames the region’s scenic drives and high-country recreation.
Virginia's Regions
Compare the Blue Ridge Highlands with Virginia’s other official travel regions.
Appalachian Trail in Virginia
Plan a hike on the long-distance trail as it crosses Virginia’s mountain country.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Blue Ridge Highlands, Virginia Is For Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail — Request for Proposals, The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road, 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Blue Ridge Highlands, Virginia Is For Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Blue Ridge Highlands, Virginia Is For Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail — Request for Proposals, The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road, 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ A Birthplace That Experienced Slavery, The Civil War and Emancipation, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Directions — Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Maps — Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
External links
- Blue Ridge Highlands — Virginia Is For Lovers
- The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
- Blue Ridge Parkway road status and closures — National Park Service
- Grayson Highlands State Park — Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation