Outdoor Adventures
2026 Outdoor Adventures!
Where are wild ponies, mountain balds, great places to hike, museums related to the outdoors, good fishing places, and places just to stretch your legs? This link takes you to a map that shows you places locals go. Click on the pin to see the place, and then on the box beside the name to link to its website. The farthest outdoor locations are not more than one and a half hours from Abingdon.
~ Click Here for Area Outdoor Attractions ~
AND….join the Virginia Highlands Festival for numerous Outdoor Adventures planned just for YOU!
Stream Discovery
Friday, July 24: 10am-12noon
White’s Mill, 12314 White’s Mill Road, Abingdon, VA 24210
Upper Tennessee River Roundtable volunteers will show how to catch and identify invertebrates, the tiny creatures that live in healthy streams. This event is suitable for children, parents, and teachers. The workshop will be at White’s Mill near Abingdon. Rain date is Friday, July 31, at 10am.
Free to participate. Registration required by Thursday, July 23.
Kayak on The Clinch
Saturday, July 25: 9:30am - 1:00pm
Fee: $25 (Limited to 15 people ages 9 and up)
Contact: Call 276-608-6907 or visit www.clinchlifeoutfitters.com by July 24 to make reservations or for more information.
The Clinch River is one of North America’s most biologically diverse watersheds. It is known for its diversity of mussels which need clear water to thrive. A Nature Conservancy guide will talk about the mussels and fish--and even hellbenders--that you may encounter as you float from the Old Castlewood launch to the St. Paul section of the Clinch River State Park. Dedicated in 2021, the state park is composed of various locations along the river.
On the two-hour float, participants will learn about the local community initiatives to celebrate the river as well as the flora and fauna of the Clinch.
Kayakers should have some kayaking experience and feel comfortable on the water. Water shoes or secure sandals are required. Water and sunscreen and snacks are highly recommended.
Clinch Life Outfitters will provide kayaks, equipment and shuttle service. The fee is $25 a person. Limited to 15 people. Age 9 and up. Call 276-608-6907 or contact www.clinchlifeoutfitters.com by July 24 to make reservations or for more information.
Guided Rock Climbing Day at Hidden Valley WMA
Saturday, July 25: 10am-2pm
Fee: $10 (limited to 12 participants)
Join Rock Dimensions of Boone for guided rock climbing at Hidden Valley on Brumley Mountain. Learn the fundamentals of outdoor rope climbing in a supportive and scenic setting. Whether you are brand new to climbing or looking to transition from the gym to the crag, our experienced instructors will cover essential skills like belaying, knot tying, movement techniques, and outdoor climbing safety.
Hidden Valley’s sandstone cliffs offer the perfect mix of beginner-friendly routes and exciting challenges. Rock Dimensions will provide all the necessary equipment, so just bring food and water for a day outside.
Meet at the climbers parking lot at Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area.
Registration is required by Thursday, July 23. Limited to 12 participants.
Freshwater Snorkeling with Blue Ridge Discovery Center
Sunday, July 26: 12-2pm OR 3-5pm (rain date is Sunday, August 2)
Fee: $25 (includes gear provided by BRDC, limited to 14 participants per session)
Our creeks host an amazing diversity of colorful fish including sculpins, darters, dace, and trout. Learn about these native fish, aquatic insects and hellbenders and about the underwater habitat and fish ecology. by snorkeling with experts from the Blue Ridge Discovery Center. Wetsuits, snorkels and masks are provided by BRDC, but you need to bring a swimsuit, proper footwear (closed-toe water shoes preferably) and towel. Snorkeling is in shallow water with no swimming necessary. Ages 6 and up. Youth must be always accompanied by an adult.
Registration required by Friday, July 24. Sign up for either a session from 12-2pm OR 3-5pm. Rain date is Sunday, Aug 2.
Directions to Blue Ridge Discovery Center: Take I-81 N to Exit 35 for VA-107 at Chilhowie. Turn right onto Whitetop Rd. In approximately 11 miles, turn left to stay on Whitetop Rd. In 200 ft, turn right for BRDC.
Sunset Hike to Buzzard Rock at Hidden Valley WMA
Sunday, July 26: 7-9pm
Free to participate. Registration required.
The jumble of rocks atop Brumley Mountain provides a spectacular view of Clinch Mountain running west for miles into Tennessee and of the lower ridges and valleys of Russell and Washington Counties. The trail is of moderate difficulty for most of its three-mile round trip, but navigating the boulders at the top is challenging.
The hike is not suitable for children, dogs or those with poor balance. Unplug SWVA, which is leading the hike, leads hikes to allow people to get away from electronic distractions.
Registration is required online by July 24. Limited to 20 participants. Hikers should wear sturdy shoes and bring flashlights or cellphones to use at dusk.
Here is a link to Brumley Gap Trail with directions. https://g.co/kgs/LFKJMhu
Directions from Abingdon--go about 10 miles on Rt. 58/US19 north. Soon after passing the John Douglas Wayside, turn right onto Hidden Valley Rd (SR690). Go 2.4 miles to Brumley Mountain Trailhead parking lot which is on the left. There is a sign. More parking is at the lower parking lot on the right.
Time is about 20 minutes from Russell Road/Rt. 19 N intersection.
Birding at Benhams
Monday, July 27: 8-9am (register by July 25)
Fee: $5 (limited to 20)
Dr Steven Hopp of the Blue Ridge Discovery Center and Emory & Henry University will lead a morning of introductory bird-watching on the Mendota Trail at Benhams, Virginia. The walk crosses a variety of habitats, including farmland, a large wetland with a beaver pond, and mature hardwood forests. The diversity of habitats over this relatively short distance allows participants to see or hear many different species of birds.
The hike will be around 2 miles on a gentle, graveled surface where tennis shoes are appropriate footwear. A picnic shelter and bathroom are at the Benhams parking lot. Bring binoculars, water, and sun protection.
Registration is required. Register online at vahighlandsfestival.com by Saturday, July 25. Fee is $5. Limited to 20 participants.
Moths & Other Nighttime Insects w/Lance Jessee
Monday, July 27: 7:30-8:30pm
Free at SWVA Higher Education Center, Executive Classroom
Lance Jessee, a naturalist and the research and collections coordinator at The Nature Center at Steele Creek Park in Bristol, Tennessee, will talk about some of the most diverse groups of insects that are active under the cover of darkness: moths, beetles, and more.
Insects are, on average, about 30 percent more abundant at night than during the day. Moths and beetles make up the two largest groups of insects, many of which are important nighttime pollinators and food for bats and other animals.
The giant silk moths, like the Luna Moth, are our largest and showiest species, and countless others are smaller but just as vibrant and colorful. Large beetles, such as longhorned and stag beetles, are often attracted to lights at. From giant silk moths to longhorned beetles, nighttime is host to a wide array of insects, big and small.
SWVA Higher Education Center, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA
Moth Attraction Night on The Creeper Trail
Monday, July 27: 8-9pm
Free at the Watauga Trailhead Parking Lot
After the talk, Lance will set up at the Watauga Trailhead parking lot of the Creeper Trail, and the group can see some of these nighttime insects as they are attracted to lights. This is a great opportunity to observe insects that are not easily seen during the day.
Take photographs and contribute to science by posting observations on iNaturalist! Bring flashlights and walking sticks for uneven ground. The area is handicapped accessible. Covering your flashlight or cell phone flashlight in red plastic allows your eyes to adjust to the dark. Keep your lights off during the attraction.
Directions: The Watauga Parking Lot is about 15 minutes from the Higher Ed Center. Take I81 north to Exit 17, turn right on Cummings St (which then becomes Green Spring Road). Turn onto Watauga Road and go 1.3 Miles. Parking lot is on the right.
24306 Watauga Road, Abingdon VA
Hike to Abrams Falls
Tuesday, July 28: 9am-12noon
Fee $5 (limited to 15)
For many, Abrams Falls has been one of those places that they have heard about but never visited. In 2025 Washington County purchased the property to preserve it for future generations to enjoy. Abrams Falls is an 80-foot waterfall whose beauty rivals any falls in the Southeast. The hike is relatively short, less than 1 mile out and back, but it is strenuous with both side-hilling on a narrow trail and a steep descent and ascent. Good balance is necessary.
Hikers should wear sturdy hiking boots and bring a walking stick.
Meet at 9am at the Benhams parking lot for the Mendota Trail (located at 7720 Rich Valley Rd. Bristol, Va.). The group will then carpool to the Abrams Falls trail. There are bathrooms and a picnic shelter in Benhams.
Registration is required with waiver. Register online at vahighlandsfestival.com by Saturday, July 25. Hikers must be 18 or older. Limited to 15 participants. Fee is $5.
Tree Identification Walk with Mark Archibald at William King Museum of Art
Wednesday, July 29: 9-10am
Free
Become a dendrophile (tree lover) if you aren’t one already. Learn to identify trees by looking at leaf patterns, leaf shape, size, color and texture, flowers, fruit, bark, twigs, and overall shape and tree size. Learn how to use keys and field guides for identification. Also, find out about the ecological value of native trees and the effects of trees and forests on the land, wildlife, water quality, and people. The Willliam King campus has a variety of trees, including a Kentucky coffee tree. The museum is developing its campus as a park with gardens, nature trails and a meadow. Mark Archibald is a Virginia Master Naturalist.
WKMA, 415 Academy Drive NW, Abingdon, VA
Bike the Mendota Trail from Benhams to Mendota
Wednesday, July 29: 9am-1pm
Meet at Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop, 201 Pecan Street, Abingdon, VA
Bike the beautiful Mendota Trail from Benhams to Mendota on the most secluded portion of the trail as it descends along Wolf Run Creek. The natural beauty of the flora, fauna and geology through this section is stunning. The trail follows Wolf Run Creek downhill through the gorge section to its confluence with Abrams Creek in Phillips. The trail then flattens out and crosses the North Fork of the Holston near Mendota. Over this 7-mile section of trail there are 15 trestles.
Bathrooms are available at both Benhams and Mendota. There is a picnic shelter at the trailhead in Mendota, or lunch can be purchased at Hodgepodge in the old general store which is right across from the Mendota trailhead parking lot.
Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop will provide shuttle service with optional bike rental. Fees are bike rental and transportation $40; ebike rental and transportation $100; and transportation only for a rider using their own bike $25. For more information see their website at vacreepertrailbikeshop.com. Be at the bike shop for paperwork at 9am and departing at 9:30am.
Reservations are required. Call the bike shop at 276-676-2552 by Monday, July 27. Limit 14.
Sunset Pontoon Cruise on South Holston Lake
Wed. July 29 / Thurs. July 30 / Friday July 31: 6:30-8:30pm
Fee: Adults, 13 & up, $35 — Children, 12 & under, $10
Limited to 10 people per cruise
South Holston Lake includes many of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia’s most scenic vistas. It is the largest and longest lake in the area and features spectacular views of Holston Mountain, the peaks of which stretch over 2,000 feet from lake level. South Holston Lake is the northernmost Tennessee Valley Authority lake with its dam built in 1950. The 7,580-acre lake includes 73% of shoreline on national forest land making it a quiet and majestic treat for visitors. It is always a favorite among boaters.
Wildlife on the South Holston is abundant including bald eagles, ospreys, hawks, bufflehead ducks, mallards, Canadian geese, and ring-billed gulls. Animals seen along the shoreline include deer, bears, beavers, raccoons and otters.
Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Come early before launch and enjoy dinner by the lake from Sportsmans Marina’s Broken Ski Grill. Boats depart from Sportsmans Marina at 6:45pm.
Register online at vahighlandsfestival.com by the day before. Limited to 10 riders a boat.
Adults and teens $35 per person and children 12 and under $10 per person.
Hike to the Great Channels
Thursday, July 30: 9am-4pm
Meet at Hayters Gap Community Center, 7720 Hayters Gap Road, Saltville, VA 24370
Imagine squeezing between forty-foot-high stone walls. The Great Channels is a unique geologic formation composed of a network of deep sandstone crevices at the top of Clinch Mountain. The Great Channels is part of the Channels State Forest and Natural Area Preserve.
On the hike, participants will also see high-elevation forest communities and learn about the geology and ecology of the area. Participants should be prepared for a moderately-strenuous 6-mile round-trip hike. Hikers should wear sturdy hiking boots and bring lunch, plenty of water, and possibly rain gear.
Registration is required online by Tuesday, July 28.
Fee is $5. Limited to 20 participants.
For more information, see https://bit.ly/thegreatchannels
Hike the Mendota Trail from Benhams to Mendota
Thursday, July 30: 10:00am-2:30pm
Fee: $5 (limited to 20)
Meet at the Benhams parking lot of the Mendota Trail (7720 Rich Valley Road, Bristol, VA). After the hike a shuttle is provided to the Benhams parking lot.
Hike the beautiful Mendota Trail from Benhams to Mendota. This is the most remote section of the trail as it descends along Wolf Run Creek. The trail follows the creek downhill to its confluence with Abrams Creek, where the trail flattens out and then crosses the North Fork of the Holston River near Mendota. This seven-mile section of the trail has 15 trestle crossings and 8 interpretive signs addressing the history and the natural resources of the area. Wildlife and geology will be discussed by the group leaders during the walk.
Bathrooms are available at both Benhams and Mendota. There is a picnic shelter at the trailhead in Mendota, or lunch after the hike at Hodgepodge restaurant across from the trailhead parking lot in Mendota. A shuttle returns to the Benhams parking lot .
Hikers should wear hiking boots and bring water and rain gear.
Registration is required. Register online at vahighlandsfestival.com by Tuesday, July 28. Limited to 20 participants. Fee is $5.
Meadows in Your Backyard with Gail Justice Olson
Thursday, July 30: 7:30pm
Free at the Executive Classroom, SVHEC
Gail Olson creates wildlife habitat in her gardens at home by using native plants and management practices. She is an active member of both the Washington County Master Gardeners and Wild Ones Appalachian Highlands Chapter. In addition to her gardening efforts, Gail shares her passion by teaching the art of native habitat gardening in Master Gardener Classes.
In her talk, Gail discusses the significance and historical context of grasslands in Virginia. These ecosystems are among the fastest disappearing in the world. It is estimated an alarming 95-99 percent of original grasslands are gone in the eastern U.S. In addition, she will share her personal journey in establishing and caring for the two meadows on her property, which she began cultivating in 2010.
SWVA Higher Education Center, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon VA
Life in the Cemetery
Friday, July 31: 10-11am
Holston Conference-Emory & Henry Cemetery, 12150 Linden Street, Meadowview, VA
The Holston Conference-Emory & Henry Cemetery is more than a hundred years old, but it is full of life! In 2022, with the help of The Nature Conservancy, the Cemetery Board of Trustees developed a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Partners program and turned almost 3 acres of unused property in the cemetery into native habitat. That area, previously mown grass, is now a thriving part of the ecosystem providing shelter for small animals, food for birds, healthy habitat for pollinators, and water retention for the soil. At this event, participants will meet a range of individuals who interact with this newly established meadow – including a representative from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Partners program, members of the Cemetery Board, volunteers from the Holston Rivers Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalist, faculty members from Emory & Henry University, and citizen scientists.
Directions: The Holston Conference-Emory & Henry Cemetery is located in Emory, Virginia. Take Exit 26 off Interstate 81, follow signs to campus. Use “12150 Linden Street Meadowview” for GPS instructions: The cemetery entrance sign is on your left. You may park in the cemetery, and Highlands Festival volunteers will be on hand to help you park. Be aware that parking in the cemetery could mean that you will need to wait for others to leave to get out of your parking spot (think of funeral parking). You may also park on the right side of Linden Street, or you may park at the campus bookstore (The Emory Mercantile) and walk up Linden Street to the cemetery entrance.
Buzzard Rock Hike on Whitetop
Saturday, Aug. 1: 9am-1pm
Free to participate
Meet at Lowes, Exit 19 in Abingdon to carpool.
Whitetop Mountain at 5525 feet has spectacular views of Clinch Mountain and North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Led by Doug Levin of the Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, the two-mile round-trip hike along the Appalachian Trail crosses the open fields of a bald to a rocky outcrop.
Hikers should wear sturdy hiking boots, and bring lunch, water, binoculars, sunscreen, and possibly rain gear.
Register online by Thursday, July 30. No limit on participants
Intro to Bouldering Clinic
Sunday, August 2: 10 am-2 pm
Free to participate
New to climbing? Curious about bouldering? Join the Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition for an Intro to Bouldering Clinic, which will cover all the fundamentals. Learn about movement techniques, safety basics, crash pad placement, and outdoor ethics—all in a fun and welcoming environment. Whether you’re a beginner, have tried climbing a bouldering wall, or want to build confidence on the rock, this clinic is the perfect way to get started. CACC will provide all the necessary equipment. Participants should bring food and water.
To carpool, meet at Goodwill (15811 Porterfield Hwy) in Abingdon at 9:30am. Register online by Thursday, July 30. Limited to 18 people.
About CACC: The Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition (CACC) is an access organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing climbing access in the Central Appalachian region. Through stewardship, advocacy, and education, they work to protect climbing areas, maintain sustainable trails, and foster a strong climbing community.
The CACC has been around for nine years. It originally started in Norton and Abingdon but expanded to include members in Boone. The CACC assists with management of a climbing area near Hidden Valley WMA.
Abingdon Outdoor Adventure Activity Book
Become a VHF Outdoor Adventurer by downloading a copy of the Outdoor Adventurer Activity Book!
Complete activities as you venture through Abingdon. Learn about Abingdon’s parks—for butterflies and munchkins. Find out about wyes, muster grounds, and two kinds of Virginia Creepers.
Show your completed booklet at the Abingdon Visitors Center (208 W. Main St.) to receive your official Abingdon Outdoor Adventurer button!
“Those of us who live in this area know what treasures the Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail, and the Mt. Rogers Recreation Area are. There are other places less well known, such as the Channels and Pinnacle Natural Area Preserves. We try to share the ‘hidden treasures’ of these places with our Festival visitors.”
– Merry Jennings, Outdoors Chair