Things to Do In and Around Damascus, VA

Damascus, Virginia is famous as “Trail Town USA” because seven major trail systems and routes intersect there. 

The commonly recognized seven are:

1. Virginia Creeper Trail
2. Appalachian Trail (AT)
3. Iron Mountain Trail
4. Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR)
5. TransAmerica Bicycle Trail (U.S. Bicycle Route 76)
6. TransVirginia Bike Route (TransVA)
7. The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail

The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34-mile paved-and-gravel rail trail in southwest Virginia that runs from Abingdon through Damascus to Whitetop Station. It follows an old railroad bed, which means:

• Gentle grades (especially Damascus → Whitetop, which is mostly downhill)
• Ideal for biking, walking, running, and horseback riding 
• One of the most scenic multi-use trails in the eastern U.S.
   

Watauga Lake is a large, crystal-clear mountain reservoir in northeastern Tennessee, tucked into the Appalachian Mountains near the North Carolina border. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Southeast thanks to its deep blue water, forested shorelines, and mountain backdrops.

It’s a favorite getaway spot for people from southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee, and western North Carolina.

Grayson Highlands State Park is a stunning Virginia state park in the southwestern Appalachian Mountains, near the Virginia–North Carolina border. It’s famous for rugged high-elevation landscapes, massive rock outcroppings, wild ponies, and access to some of the highest peaks in the state, including Mount Rogers (the tallest in Virginia).

The park is a must-visit for hikers, photographers, backpackers, and anyone who loves mountain scenery.

Backbone Rock is a unique rock formation along Beaverdam Creek in the Cherokee National Forest just south of the Virginia–Tennessee border near Damascus, VA. Today part of the Backbone Rock Recreation Area, it’s famed for its tunnel carved through the rock to accommodate a railroad in the early 1900s — often called the world’s shortest tunnel.

The Virginia Channels are a rare natural maze of sandstone channels and slots carved into the top of Brumley Mountain in Russell County, southwest Virginia. They look almost like city streets or stone corridors—hence the name “Channels.”

Bristol Motor Speedway is one of the most famous and intense NASCAR racetracks in the world, located in Bristol, Tennessee, right near the Virginia state line. It’s nicknamed “The Last Great Colosseum” because of its steep banks, tight racing, and stadium-style seating that completely surrounds the track.

If you’ve ever heard NASCAR fans talk about “beating and banging”—this is the place they mean.

The Barter Theatre is a historic and highly regarded professional regional theater located in Abingdon, Virginia. It’s one of the oldest professional theaters in the United States and a cultural landmark for southwestern Virginia.

The Martha Washington Inn & Spa is a historic luxury inn and full-service spa located in Abingdon, Virginia. It’s one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the United States and a signature landmark in the region.

Bristol Caverns are a set of natural limestone caves located in Bristol, Tennessee, just a few minutes from the Virginia state line. They’re a popular attraction because they combine real Appalachian cave geology with an easy, guided walking tour, making them accessible to almost everyone.

South Holston Lake is a large, clear mountain reservoir that straddles the Tennessee–Virginia border, just south of Abingdon and Bristol. It’s known for its deep blue water, steep forested hillsides, and long, winding coves that feel remote and quiet.

Locals often describe it as one of the most scenic lakes in the region.

Damascus, VA and the surrounding region are great for a variety of fishing activities because of the rich network of lakes, rivers, and creeks in the Appalachian foothills. Click HERE a detailed guide to what’s available, where to go, and what to expect

Water activities around Damascus, Virginia are plentiful thanks to nearby creeks, rivers, and lakes in the Appalachian region. For a comprehensive guide to what you can do, where to go, and what’s best for different experience levels, click below to learn more.

Local bike shuttle services and outfitters in Damascus, Virginia that can help you enjoy the Virginia Creeper Trail — especially if you want a one-way ride with an easy descent back into town

The Damascus Brewery is a craft brewery, right in Damascus, producing its own beers on-site. It’s a local hangout where you can enjoy a pint after biking, hiking, or exploring town.

“Trail Town Adventure Golf” coming to downtown Damascus (planned for opening in early 2026).  This new mini-golf experience is described as rain-or-shine indoor mini golf aimed at visitors and local families.

The Appalachian Trail, often called the AT, is one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in the world. It stretches about 2,190 miles along the Appalachian Mountains, running from Georgia to Maine and passing through 14 states.

It’s a protected footpath designed primarily for hiking, though some sections allow limited uses like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.