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Grayson Highlands

Pony at State Park

State Park Profile: Grayson Highlands

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Pony at State ParkKeep Virginia Beautiful often partners with the Virginia State Park system. Virginia is blessed with beautiful parks that are environmentally conscious. We thought we’d take this time to share an example of what Virginia has to offer, while there’s still a little Summertime left and it’s good weather to visit.

(And remember, we are giving away a free one-day parking pass to any Virginia State Park with a donation of any size!)

Grayson County, Southwest Virginia, holds one of the jewels of the Commonwealth. Grayson Highlands State Park features sweeping views of the Blue Ridge and provides an access point to Virginia’s highest peak, Mt. Rogers, as well as the Appalachian Trail. The park offers a variety of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. And speaking of horses…

Grayson Highlands State Park and its neighboring Mount Rogers National Recreation Area are home to more than 100 wild ponies – that’s something to neigh about! Twenty ponies were introduced in 1974 to help graze patches of land that were cleared before the area was made into a park. Today, their populations have grown and 10-15 herds in the Highlands.  Though the herds roam free most the year, they are rounded up annually to be checked by veterinarians. At that time, some foals are separated from the herd and sold at auction. This is a humane way to keep the ponies from overpopulating, which would threaten both ponies and native wildlife.

The ponies are accustomed to being around humans at Grayson Highlands, but park officials warn against feeding or touching them. Human foods can be potentially fatal to ponies, and wild horses can become aggressive when overstimulated. They’ve been known to bite humans who get too close, so observing them from a safe distance is best. For those willing to follow these rules, they can be seen by taking the Rhododendron Trail across Wilburn Ridge to Rhododendron Gap, a favored pony hang out. This hike is considered moderately challenging, so be sure to bring some water and take frequent breaks.

Grayson Highlands has a lot to offer whether you’re interested in walking or wildlife. We encourage everyone to get outdoors and see some of the outdoor beauty in Virginia!

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Keep Virginia Beautiful has The Prettiest State

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A California travel writer made a list of what he considered the top 5 prettiest states in America.   Guess what?  We made the list!

“What stunning scenery, backwoods horse country, dense woods and green, green green pasture land as far as the eye can see.”

It may be our State Parks.  As you may know, Keep Virginia Beautiful  just launched a project with Dominion Virginia Power and Virginia Green to place recycling bins in all 35 of our Parks.  Our parks are, after all, how many visitors see our State for the first time.  Today we thought that we’d take a look at some.

Perhaps we should start at the ocean and work our way west.

False Cape State Park near Virginia Beach is one of the Atlantic coast’s last undeveloped shores.  You can’t drive there but you can ride the Terra-Gator.  False Cape got an early reputation as a ship graveyard because early sailors thought it was Cape Henry and tried to come into port.  It’s a great place to camp and is filled with wildlife.

About 2 hours west of Richmond is Holliday Lake. Its just minutes from the famous Appomattox Court House where Lee surrendered to Grant.  Back in those days it was cleared for farmland.  Fish Pond Creek was dammed up in the 30’s to create the lake.  Today it boasts trails, camping, an awesome swimming area, and some great trout fishing.

In the mood for a National Historic Landmark?  Head to Staunton River. Bordered by the Dan and Staunton rivers it has the largest lake in Virginia.  A great spot for camping and hiking it also boasts some modern amenities like an Olympic sized pool but stays true to its roots as a 30’s era CCC project.  Staunton River State Park is still recovering from some nasty damage due to April’s tornadoes but is worthy of a visit.

If you need a break from the water go west to Grayson Highlands.  Established as a State Park in 1965 it is a great way to beat the heat, as it stays pretty cool at elevations as high as 5,089 feet.  Many of the areas in and around the park were named for early settlers of the area who lived in small homesteads and made, grew or gathered what they needed from the lands around them.  You can still see remnants of some of these old homesteads.  While not a boater’s paradise you can still put your feet in the water at spots like Wilburn Branch or the beautiful Cabin Creek.

 

 

Swim, canoe, hike, bike or fish.  Virginia State Parks have been offering us great things to do and views of the prettiest of Virginia.  Pay them a visit soon!  And while you’re there, use one of our recycling bins and help to Keep Virginia Beautiful!