June 17 – 19, 2015. This is our fourth time here and we will come back as many times as we can. “The Virginia Creeper Trail traverses through some of the most rugged and picturesque scenery in the Eastern United States and is widely lauded as one of the most beautiful trails on the continent.” Comment from brochure … We agree 100% 🙂
The Trail is 34.3 miles and started as a Native American footpath. It runs from Abingdon, VA to the Virgina/North Carolina border. The town of Abingdon was originally named Wolf Hills by Daniel Boone when he came through and saw a pack of wolves.
We stay in Damascus, Virginia “Heart of the Virginia Creeper Trail”, at the Creek Side RV Park.
Damascus Population: 815
Traffic Lights :0
The Creek Side RV Park has a whopping 6 sites. It’s a real small town friendly park. The owner Russ is very nice. It’s well kept and all 6 sites back up to a very pretty creek. Negatives are check out is 10:00 A.M., but you can negotiate a later check out with Russ, depending on how much electricity you ‘ll be using. We paid an additional $10 (over the $30 per night) to check out late and leave the air conditioning on for E T 🙂
Dinner is always at the Damascus Old Mill Restaurant, Inn and Pub a short walk from the RV Park. Excellent food, fair prices and fabulous atmosphere. There’s seating out on the deck or in the dining room with views of the Mock’s Mill Falls. Check out the TAXES on the photo of our check … Virginia has a State Tax, Sales Tax, County Tax, Town Tax and worst of all Beer and Wine Tax. I could NEVER live here!
In the morning, we walk across the street with our bikes to The Bike Station and are shuttled to White Top Station, 1.1 miles from the N.C. / VA border in the Jefferson National Forest. Don our driver is a very cool guy!
From there we ride the gradual downhill trail for 18.3 miles back to downtown Damascus. This is a spectacular ride that ANYONE in half way decent shape can ride. The first 12.3 miles is easy. The next 6 miles into downtown Damascus is fairly level, with never more than a 1 or 2% grade. Our 7 year old grandson, Zach, could ride this trail and thoroughly enjoy every minute. The scenery is SPECTACULAR! The 15.6 miles into Abingdon is quite a bit rougher with lots of open areas and bright sunshine. If your like me and like to complete a trail, it’s an accomplishment. Do I ever have the need to do it again? The answer is NO! I’m good with the 18.3 miles from White Top Station to Damascus 🙂
This is the best of the best when it comes to bike trails.
Next stop, Thunder Valley at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol Tennessee! NHRA Drag Racing at it’s best.
Hi Barb and David! We met you on the shuttle from Bike Station last Thursday, the 18th. We are enjoying your blog! Barb and Bill Payne, Boone, NC (Hope you are enjoying Bristol!)