Washington County: Experience the Mountain Magic
Washington County is a prime location for outdoors enthusiasts of all levels. At the intersection of several famous trail systems, the region is a desirable destination for anyone seeking to live closer to nature and be a part of endless outdoor adventures in Washington County.
As a lifelong Damascus resident, Michael Wright has made a living promoting Washington County’s outdoor wonders through his local businesses. He owns and operates Adventure Damascus Bicycles, Damascus Outfitters and Trailhead Designs as well as Hellbender’s Café on the Virginia Creeper Trail.
The area’s prime location amid the Appalachian Mountains brings with it an abundance of outdoor amenities. Hikers can hop onto portions of the Appalachian Trail, which cuts through the area, or the Virginia Creeper Trail, offering over 34 miles of multiuse paths.
“Damascus is truly a haven for outdoor enthusiasts,” Wright says.
Appalachian Bound
Living among the natural beauty of the area has allowed Wright to build a life and career in the outdoors industry, from opening the first full-service bike shop on the Virginia Creeper Trail to a high-quality outfitter for Appalachian Trail hikers.
“I have been able to create many jobs, make a living and raise a family in the small community I grew up in,” Wright says. “I have also felt that it was my duty to try and share the beauty of the area and help create some fun memories for as many visitors as I can.”
Damascus has become known as the “Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail” thanks in part to the number of amenities that exist for thru-hikers making the journey from Georgia to Maine. Damascus Outfitters carries all the essentials a hiker might need, along with fun souvenirs to remember the journey by.
The Damascus Trail Center, in collaboration with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, helps educate visitors about the history and significance of the trail and Damascus’ role in stewarding the land.
Wright sees proximity to nature and outdoor opportunities as essential to the overall health of individuals and their communities. “Our walkable communities and our local trail systems help to improve a person’s mind and body,” Wright says.
While the area’s natural beauty alone is enough to draw visitors, its hospitality is what makes people want to stay. The “Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail” doesn’t just cater to hikers, but anyone with an appreciation and desire to connect with its natural abundance. “Washington County is not just a place to live – it’s a place to thrive,” Wright says.
Journeys on the River
For Janet Meadows, owner of Mendota Expeditions, learning and fun go hand in hand. As a science teacher at Virginia Middle School in Bristol, Meadows understands the opportunities for learning that activities like tubing and hiking offer.
“The mission of Mendota Expeditions is to promote nature education and appreciation and to provide a place of exploration and adventure through trailblazing and tubing,” Meadows says.
Meadows started the business in 2021 on her grandparents’ farm in Mendota. Her hard work has since paid off, as her business won second place in the 2024 Washington County Business Challenge.
Mendota Expeditions also offers a shuttle service to cyclists and hikers heading for the Mendota Trail, a 12.5-mile corridor that spans gently rolling countryside and forest paths. Near the Mendota Trail, Abrams Falls features a 70-foot cascade of water in the midst of pristine wilderness.
Meadows recognizes the stress inherent in the jobs and daily lives of many people. In Washington County, opportunities to get outdoors for a break are abundant and can help create moments of beauty in each day.
“Why walk on a treadmill when you can be outside exploring all the natural beauty?” Meadows says.
While floating down the Holston River, bald eagles, herons, turtles and fish can all be seen from the comfort of a drifting tube. As part of her mission to educate the community, Meadows invites local experts, including scientists and business owners, to speak at teacher conferences through Mendota Expeditions, all of whom have a similar mission of promoting and preserving the outdoors.
For locals and visitors alike, the value of these outdoor recreation opportunities is hard to miss, and it is the goal of residents like Meadows to help preserve them so that they can be enjoyed far into the future.
“Nothing beats spending time down by the river,” Meadows says.
Bonus: Local Favorites in Washington County
Washington County locals know the best spots for food and fun in the area. Here are some of the highlights that lifelong Damascus resident Michael Wright suggests:
COFFEE SHOP: The Girl and the Raven in Abingdon serves coffee roasted by Brazen Raven Coffee Roasters on-site in a historic 1886 building. Stop in for breakfast and take a bag of their freshly roasted beans to go.
EVENTS: The highlight events of the year include the Independence Day Celebration in Damascus and the Appalachian Trail Days Festival in May, both of which draw tens of thousands of visitors each year. The Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon is an arts fair celebrating Appalachian culture each summer.
DINNER SPOT: The Tavern in Abingdon was founded in 1779 and still operates from a historic inn. Along with a rich dinner experience, The Tavern offers brunch on the porch on Sundays.
LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT: With an abundance of local musicians, performances at Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery in Damascus are frequent – every Friday, in fact. The Barter Theatre in Abingdon is one of the longest-running theaters in the country, with beloved stage productions showing throughout the year.
OUTDOOR DESTINATION: Mount Rogers is Virginia’s highest peak, offering views not only of the surrounding mountains but of the wild ponies that reside there. Hikers can also enjoy a short trek to Buzzard Rock on Whitetop Mountain. For a fun bike trek, start out at Hellbender’s Café in Taylors Valley and ride to the Straight Branch parking lot. Or, for an easy day out, Wright suggests a picnic at Backbone Rock.
Get to Know Washington County
Want to learn more about living and working in Abingdon and Washington County, VA? Check out the latest edition of Livability Washington County, Virginia.