SWVA: HEART OF APPALACHIA BIRCH KNOB OBSERVATION TOWER - Clintwood INSTAGRAM WORTHY Views from Birch Knob Observation Tower stretch endlessly over so much unspoiled wilderness, you can almost convince your followers you’ve stepped back in time. Trees, boulders, ridges; undulating hills, mountains and valleys; the shadows of clouds punctuating the landscape that spreads out all around you. After climbing 183 stairs to this sturdy deck – at an elevation of 3,144 feet above sea level – you’ll see Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee – even Ohio! – on a clear day. Birch Knob Tower CARTER FAMILY FOLD SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA: Hiltons ICONIC Miles from the nearest big city, the Carter Family Fold celebrates music heritage HEART OF and family, including the first family of country music: A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter’s 1927 recordings gave birth to the commercial country music industry. The venue provides a glimpse into old-time country music, traditional mountain, bluegrass and folk music. Weekly family-friendly performances feature talented APPALACHIA musicians. The stage-front dance floor unites people across the generations: toddlers, teens, parents and grandparents all dance together in traditional styles. WOODBOOGER Norton HIDDEN GEM PET- NOTABLE TOWN Waterfalls hold universal appeal: the natural setting FRIENDLY Have you seen Woodbooger – aka Big Foot or creates a primal allure; the soothing sounds of water For tail-wagging, Sasquatch? Well you might in Norton, where the cascading over rocks drown out everyday concerns. leaping-and-bounding legend is embraced, especially after the 2011 Some waterfalls seem inaccessible – a difficult hike fun, invite your filming of Animal Planet’s “Finding Bigfoot.” over too many miles – but Tank Hollow Falls welcomes pooch to join you at Even bigger than Woodbooger, though, is everyone. Park at the ADA-accessible lot, then traverse Southern Gap Outdoor Norton’s prime location for outdoor recreation the half-mile walking path to the 60-foot-high falls, clear Adventure. Together – mountain biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, water plunging over moss-covered rocks. If you’re in the you can wander the trail running, rock climbing – and for cultural mood, continue the three-mile trail to the Cleveland trails around the and historic landmarks. Barrens Natural Area Preserve. The water calls! campground and beyond, catching signs of the plentiful wildlife and basking in nature. WHAT’S NEW ASK A LOCAL You’ll both crash in a contented heap at The Back of the Dragon is a "The Appalachian African-American Cultural Center is unique in terms of the end of the day, in winding road that roars 32 documenting and preserving history; very little is written, so we primarily on-site campgrounds miles through the mountains, talk to people to preserve their stories. I call the region our country’s hidden or cabins. Or let Fido changes 3,500 feet in secret, for the beauty of the mountains and the history, which is really what has sleep it off while you elevation, takes 438 knee- grabbed me: not just the African-American experiences but the history of the enjoy everything else dragging curves, and offers Melungeons and the Scots-Irish, as well as the plight of the area’s coal miners." Southern Gap has to breath-takingly picturesque — Jill Carson, Appalachian African American Cultural Center offer! views. Then it spits you out at the new Back of the Dragon Welcome Center. The 5,000-square-foot building CLINCH RIVER DID YOU KNOW? Tazewell Nestled in the southwest corner of the state, the features a store, brewery, The Clinch River, meandering through the Heart of Appalachia, is one of the HEART OF APPALACHIA region is known for the specialty coffee, yogurt, food world’s most aquatically diverse rivers. It shelters the nation’s highest number of rugged beauty of its landscapes, as well as its and a photogenic 12-foot rare aquatic species, including 40 species of freshwater mussels, half of which are vibrant culture and people. Adventure abounds dragon. Visitors can enjoy threatened or endangered. Approximately 130 species of fish swim here. Caves among roaring rivers and stunning vistas, while live events, or they can just around the river also harbor globally diverse species, some that only live in that picturesque mountain towns draw you in with the sit a spell, swapping tales cave. Whether you’re a paddler, angler or nature watcher, the Clinch River can sights, sounds and tastes of Appalachia. with other motor enthusiasts float your boat. BRAD DEEL BRAD who dared to ride this stretch of road. CARTER FAMILY FOLD: CAMERON DAVIDSON / WOODBOOGER: JOSHUA MOORE / CLINCH RIVER: TIM C. COX C. TIM RIVER: CLINCH / MOORE JOSHUA WOODBOOGER: / DAVIDSON CAMERON FOLD: FAMILY CARTER 138 VIRGINIA.ORG 139 VG MEETS ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS OF THE VIRGINIA GREEN PROGRAM g PROVIDES PRINTED MATERIAL IN BRAILLE D PROVIDES DESCRIPTIONS BY A TRAINED AUDIO DESCRIBER W PROVIDES SIGN LANGUAGE SWVA: HEART q OFFERS ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION u PROVIDES A DEVICE USED FOR COMMUNICATION WITH AND BETWEEN HEARING IMPAIRED s PROVIDES ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS OF APPALACHIA b BUSES/GROUPS WELCOME c PET- FRIENDLY FACILITY $ ADMISSION REQUIRED I ADA- COMPLIANT Poplar Gap Park & Birch Knob Observation Tower Virginia Scenic Russell Bates Family Farm LLC Cumberland Gap National Stone Face Rock Fairgrounds 10 miles north of Clintwood, Fork River 319 Vanderveter Rd., Historical Park US 421 North, Pennington Rt. 604/Poplar Creek Rd., Rt. 611 to Birch Knob Rd., Rt. 83, Haysi; 276-853-9544; Jonesville; 276-346- US Hwy. 58, Ewing; 606-248- Gap; 276-546-1177; ilovelee. Grundy; 276-762-0011; Clintwood; 276-926-6074; breakspark.com. Rapids and 3203; facebook.com/ 2817; nps.gov/cuga. Nation's org. Folklore says that the heartofappalachia.com/ dickensonva.org. 3,144 feet pools offering class five/six batesfamilyfamllc. largest national park preserves face was carved by Cherokee attraction/poplar-gap-park. above sea level with a view whitewater. Releases 1st four Handmade goat milk soaps/ famous Daniel Boone Indians. bj Fairgrounds, horse-ring, of five states, clear day, six weekends in October. lotion, produce, eggs, milk, Wilderness Road. bj baseball & football field, states.j Nubian goats, tours. Stone Mountain Multi-Use Breaks Grundy picnic shelters, playground, Gap Cave (aka Cudjo Cave) Trail System Pocahontas Bluefield walking path. bjI Breaks Interstate Park LEE COUNTY Cave Springs Cumberland Gap National 100 Fairground Rd., 19 Includes Dryden, Ewing, Jonesville, 460 460 State Rt. 80, 7 miles from Recreational Area Historical Park, Ewing; Pennington Gap; 276-807- Keokee, Pennington Gap, St. Charles Tazewell Southern Gap Raceway Haysi, Breaks; 276-865-4413; Cave Springs Rd, Dryden; 606-248-2817; nps. 7581; spearheadtrails.com. Clintwood Cedar Bluff 6391 Poplar Creek Rd., breakspark.com. $bjI Lee County Tourism Office 276-346-4629; ilovelee.org. gov/cuga. A majestic 30-mile challenging trails 23 Pounding Mill Grundy; 276-935-5725; 33640 Main St., Jonesville; Camping, picnic area, natural underground cathedral with for ATVs, mountain biking, southerngapraceway.com. Clinchco Coal Miners' 276-346-7766; ilovelee.org. swimming area, hiking.j glistening stalagmites and hiking; stunning overlooks. $ Norton Coeburn 19 j Family racing entertainment Memorial Lee County, where Virginia stalactites. b ALT 58 Saint Paul Big Stone Gap Lebanon with seasonal events. Rt. 83, Town of Clinchco on begins - the first great Coal Miners Memorial Wall White Rocks Dungannon Virginia's Coal Heritage Trail, gateway to the west. bj St. Charles Rd., St. Charles; Iron Furnace US Hwy 58, Ewing; 276-346- ALT Clinchco; 276-926-6074; 276-546-1177; ilovelee.org. Cumberland Gap National 4629; ilovelee.org. Hike to 58 Jonesville421 CITY OF NORTON clinchcova.net. Remembering Pennington Gap Welcome Remembering those who Historic Park, Ewing; massive rocks-landmark for Duffield Wise County and City miners lost in Dickenson Center were lost providing for their 606-248-2817; nps.gov/cuga. early pioneers. Impressive 58 j 58 of Norton Chamber of County coal mines. bI 335 Fairground Rd., Pennington families. b Used to make iron before views. Ewing Hiltons Commerce Gap; 276-298-5177; and during the Civil War. 765 Park Ave. SW, Norton; 276- Cumberland Mountain View townofpenningtonva.gov. Cowan Mill Wilderness Road State Park VG 679-0961; wisecountychamber. Driving Tour Regional attraction/lodging, Located off of Hwy 58, Rt. Lake Keokee US Hwy 58, 8051 Wilderness org. Offers support and Virginia's Scenic Rt. 611, event information near Stone 698, Ewing; 276-346-4629; Rt. 606 Keokee Rd., Keokee; Rd., Ewing; 276-445-3065; promotion for commercial, Breaks; 276-865-4413; Mountain Multi-use trails ilovelee.org. Historic gristmill 276-679-8370; fs.usda.gov/ virginiastateparks.gov. industrial, agricultural, civic, breakspark.com. 19 miles trailhead. bjI built in 1890. Must see photo activity/gwj/recreation. A 92- bj Heart of Appalachia Visitor BIG STONE GAP June Tolliver House & Folk Southern Gap Outdoor tourism and general business of scenic views through the op. acre lake for fishing, boating, Information Center Carmine's - Big Stone Gap Art Center Adventure Visitor Center interests of Wise County and mountains Clintwood to picnic facilities. Wilderness Road Trail 3028 4th Avenue Market Sq., Visitor Center 522 Clinton Ave. E., Big Stone 1124 Chipping Sparrow the City of Norton. Bartlick. bj Appalachian African-American Cumberland Bowl Park US Hwy. 58, 8051 Wilderness St. Paul; 276-762-0011; 300 Wood Ave. E., Big Gap; 276-523-4707; Rd., Grundy; 276-244-1111; Cultural & Community 842 Park St., Jonesville; 276- Lee Theatre Rd., Ewing; 276-445-3065; heartofappalachia.com. Stone Gap; 276-523-2303; bigstonegap.org. Historic sgadventures.com. Dr. Phipps Family Museum Development Center 346-1151. Visit the beautiful 41676 W. Morgan Ave., dcr.virginia.gov. Follow the VA Visitors Information bigstonegap.org. Visitor Victorian townhouse serves Offering attraction/lodging Central Drive-In 194 Clintwood Main St., 265 N.