The best places to unplug in Virginia
Most people know Virginia for DC's suburbs and the beach. The western half of the state is something else. Two long mountain ranges, the Blue Ridge and the Alleghenies, with the Shenandoah Valley in between. Farms, rivers, small towns and a lot of national forest.
Every place here is rated highly by guests and sits close to trails, water or plain quiet. These are the ones we'd send a friend to, sorted by the part of the state they're in.
Shenandoah National Park and the valley
Shenandoah National Park runs along the top of the Blue Ridge, with Skyline Drive on the crest for 105 miles and the Appalachian Trail running beside it. Luray is the main town on the west side, about two hours from DC.
West of the park, Massanutten Mountain splits the valley in two. The South Fork of the Shenandoah River runs past Luray, and the North Fork winds through farm country around Mount Jackson and Quicksburg.
Bath County and the hot springs
Bath County is out in the Alleghenies near the West Virginia line. It's the only county in Virginia without a traffic light. People have been coming here for the warm springs since the 1700s, and the Warm Springs Pools are open to the public again.
Highland County, just to the north, is even emptier. It's called Virginia's Switzerland, and it has fewer people than any other county in the state. Cell service in both counties is spotty.
A small bed and breakfast in the little village of Hot Springs, with a fireplace and plenty of books. Hiking and horseback riding are close by.
Lexington and Rockbridge County
Lexington is a small college town at the south end of the Shenandoah Valley, home to Washington and Lee and the Virginia Military Institute. It has a walkable old downtown and a lot of countryside around it.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is to the east, Natural Bridge is to the south, and the Maury River cuts through Goshen Pass to the northwest.
Steeles Tavern, VA
Hot tubHiking trailsHorseback riding
Check datesA small bed and breakfast in Steeles Tavern, north of Lexington, with a hot tub, a fireplace and a fire pit. There's water close by for fishing and paddling, and guests rate it a perfect five.
Afton Mountain and the north end of the Parkway
Skyline Drive ends at Rockfish Gap on Afton Mountain, and the Blue Ridge Parkway starts right there. Humpback Rocks, a short, steep hike with a big view, is a few miles down the Parkway, and Sherando Lake is in the national forest below it.
Roanoke and Bent Mountain
Roanoke is the biggest city in western Virginia, and the Parkway runs right past it. McAfee Knob, one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail, is a short drive west. Bent Mountain is up on the ridge southwest of town, and it's a lot quieter.
Before you go
- Skyline Drive has a 35 mph speed limit and the park charges an entrance fee. Give yourself more time than the map says.
- October is the busiest month in the mountains because of the leaves. Book early or come another time.
- Cell service drops out in a lot of the mountains, especially in Bath and Highland counties. Download your maps before you go.
- Stay at least two nights. Most of these places are a few hours from the cities, and one night goes by fast.
All our stays in Virginia
Dublin, VA
Hiking trailsNear wildernessBird watching
Usually from $203/night
Lyndhurst, VA
Hiking trailsHorseback ridingFishing
From $337/night · Nov 20–22
First look
New places we find and the odd guide to somewhere quiet. A few emails a year, that's it.