Damascus, Virginia: Trail Town USA

Some mountain towns are surrounded by trails. Damascus is different: here, the trails come straight into town. The Appalachian Trail follows the sidewalks of Laurel Avenue, the Virginia Creeper Trail rolls in from Abingdon, and hikers, cyclists, anglers, paddlers and motorcyclists all end the day on the same few welcoming blocks. Known as Trail Town USA, Damascus sits in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where a morning in the high country can easily become an evening downtown.

It is the kind of place where you can park the car and simply start walking. Locally owned shops, outfitters, restaurants and places to stay line the streets, and the town is famously friendly to travelers and their dogs.

Why is Damascus called Trail Town USA?

Seven recognized trails and routes meet in the heart of Damascus. They are the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Iron Mountain Trail, the South East and Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Routes, the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail and U.S. Bicycle Route 76, the TransVirginia Bike Route, and The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail.

That mix gives the town an unusual personality. A thru-hiker may arrive on the Appalachian Trail, a family may come to ride the Creeper, a mountain biker may be chasing the more than 20 miles of ridgeline singletrack on the Iron Mountain Trail, and a motorcyclist may be here for The Snake (U.S. 421), the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, U.S. 58 or the Back of the Dragon. They all end up in the same place.

Is the Virginia Creeper Trail open in 2026?

The 17-mile section between Abingdon and Damascus is open. The upper section from Damascus to Whitetop Station is closed while it is rebuilt following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, and its reopening is scheduled for March 31, 2027.

The full 34-mile rail-trail is one of the country's most celebrated, family-friendly rides, and Damascus outfitters provide bike rentals and shuttles. Check current trail alerts before your visit. Hikers should also note a temporary Appalachian Trail detour north of town that follows the historic Iron Mountain Trail toward the Mount Rogers High Country.

What is there to do near Damascus, Virginia?

Damascus is a gateway to Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Grayson Highlands State Park, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and Cherokee National Forest. Mount Rogers is the highest point in Virginia, and Whitetop Mountain, the state's second-highest peak, rises above 5,500 feet.

At Grayson Highlands, open balds and rocky outcrops set the scene for some of Virginia's most distinctive high-elevation hiking, and visitors may encounter the park's famous wild ponies. Water shapes the landscape too: Whitetop Laurel, Tennessee Laurel and Beaverdam Creek converge near town to form Laurel Creek. Whitetop Laurel is recognized as one of Southwest Virginia's premier trout streams, with accessible fishing at Laurel Creek Park, Creek Junction and Beartree Lake. Paddlers find seasonal whitewater on the Laurel Creek system, and the South Fork of the Holston River and South Holston Lake are close by.

When is the best time to visit Damascus?

Every season has its draw, but fall and the holidays are especially rewarding. Mountain color typically arrives by mid-October, and December brings a Christmas market, a lights tour, a lighted parade and a holiday race on the Virginia Creeper Trail.

• October 2 to 3, 2026: Damascus Festival of Miles
• October 31: Downtown Trick-or-Treating, 5 to 7 p.m.
• November 28 and December 5: Dashing through Damascus: A Christmas Market, Damascus Old Mill Inn, noon to 6 p.m.
• December 1 to 31: Holiday Lights Tour
• December 4: A Trail Town Christmas Parade, 7 p.m.
• December 5: Dashing Thru Damascus Half Marathon, 5K and Polar Plunge
• January 1: First Day Hikes at nearby Virginia State Parks

Read our full guide to fall and Christmas in Damascus, and if you want a mountain-grown tree, around Whitetop you can choose and cut your own Fraser fir. See our Appalachian choose-and-cut guide.

Where should you stay in Damascus?

Lodging ranges from downtown accommodations and bed-and-breakfasts to hostels, vacation rentals and campgrounds. For a traditional stay, the Damascus Old Mill Inn sits beside the water close to downtown. Local outfitters handle bikes, shuttles and gear, while restaurants and small businesses along Laurel Avenue give you plenty of reasons to linger after the day's adventure. From May through October, the Damascus Farmers Market fills Thursday evenings with local produce, baked goods, crafts and live music.

Plan your visit

• Official website: VisitDamascus.org for trail conditions, events, lodging and dining
• First stop: Damascus Trail Center, 209 West Laurel Avenue, open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except major holidays
• Trail note: Virginia Creeper Trail open Abingdon to Damascus; upper section scheduled to reopen March 31, 2027

Damascus is featured in the Fall 2026 Special Holiday Edition of Explore USA Magazine. Come for the trails, and stay awhile.