George Washington and Jefferson

National Forests

Recreational Activities

Scenic Drives

There are numerous scenic drives that are available for your enjoyment on each district. Some are highlighted in the related links section.

When will the fall colors be at their peak?

A good rule of thumb for this area is to assume that in lower elevations trees will be at peak or close to it by the middle of October, and in higher elevations in early October.

The Forest Service Fall Color hotline is up and running!! This hotline provides national forest visitors with weekly updates on fall foliage color changes and fall activities throughout the nation.

The toll-free 'Fall Color Hotline' can be reached at (800) 354-4595. The automated voice system is updated weekly with information about peak fall foliage colors in various regions throughout the country.

For more information, please contact the Ranger Districts.

Lee Ranger Distric

NOTE: The routes listed below are given with the assumption that you will obtain a map of the Lee Ranger District before exploring anywhere on the district. The Massanutten & Great North Mountain (Trails Illustrated #792) map is recommended for this purpose. You may purchase this map at several national forest offices. This map will assist you in traveling around the area and will compliment the directions provided below. These directions are not intended to be used without a district map.

When will the fall colors be at their peak?

A good rule of thumb for this area is to assume that in lower elevations (Massanutten Mountain) trees will be at peak or close to it by the middle of October, and in higher elevations (Great North Mountain) in early October.

Massanutten Mountain

Crisman Hollow Road and Fort Valley

From New Market, take SR 211 East for approximately 3 miles and turn left on Forest Development Road (FDR) 274 also called Crisman Hollow Road. This 9 mile section of road is paved for 1.5-miles and gravel for 7.5 miles. At the intersection of FDR 274 and SR 675 continue straight until you reach another intersection called King’s Crossing. To return to I-81 turn left on SR 675 and continue down the mountain to Edinburg, VA. To continue this scenic drive through Fort Valley continue straight on SR. 678 for another 21 miles to Strasburg, VA.

The Motor Mountaineering Brochure gives a guided tour of this section of the Massanutten Mountain and highlights interpretive trails and scenic spots to stop along the way. This brochure is available at the Lee Ranger District Office or the Massanutten Visitor Center.

Moreland Gap Road

From Edinburg, VA turn right (east) on SR 675 and travel approximately 4-miles to Edinburg Gap. Turn right onto FDR 374 and continue up the mountain for approximately 5-miles. This is a gravel road. At the intersection of FDR 374 and SR 730 turn right and continue for approximately 3-miles to the intersection of SR 730 and SR 675. Turn left onto SR 675 and continue for a few miles to King’s Crossing where you will make another left and complete your loop back to Edinburg, VA.

Great North Mountain

Wolf Gap and Trout Pond

From Edinburg, VA drive west on SR 675. At the intersection of SR 42 (Senedo Road) and SR 675 turn right and then immediately left to remain on SR 675. Wolf Gap will be on your right in approximately 6 miles. Continue on SR 675 in West Virginia and watch for an intersection in approximately 7-miles. Turn left onto Thorny Bottom Road (SR 259/5) for 6 miles. Turn left and travel about 1 mile to the entrance of the Trout Pond Recreation Area. To return to Edinburg retrace your path to SR 259/5 and travel the 6 miles left on SR 23/10 and travel for about 6 miles to Wardensville, WV. At Wardensville turn right onto SR 55 and travel east for 18 miles to Strasburg and then 14 miles south back to Edinburg, VA.

Judge Rye Road

From Edinburg, VA travel west on SR. 675. At the intersection of SR 42 (Senedo Road) and SR 675, turn right and then immediately left to remain on SR 675. Continue on SR 675 for about 4-miles Turn left onto SR 691 (also called the Judge Rye Road) and travel this gravel road for about 6.5-miles. At this point you should reach an intersection. (To exit national forest lands turn left and you will reach Lost City, WV on SR 259.) To continue your scenic drive turn right and drive for about 2.5-miles to another intersection. Turn right at this intersection and drive for approximately 1 mile, bear left at this intersection. Continue for about 11 miles to State Highway 55 just outside of Wardensville, WV. On SR 55 travel east for 18 miles to Strasburg and then 14 miles south back to Edinburg, VA.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

The Mount Rogers Scenic Byway is found in southwest Virgina. Mount Rogers, elevation 5,729 feet, is the highest point in Virginia. The byway that provides access through the scenic forests and countryside surrounding Mount Rogers is divided into two parts. From Troutdale go southwest on Virginia Route 603 through the center of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area to the intersection with U. S. Highway 58. The other section of the byway is located on U. S. Highway 58, from Damascus east to Volney; sections of this road are unsuitable to vehicles or trucks more than 35 feet long. Attractions in the area include the Appalachian Trail, Little Wilson Creek Wilderness, Lewis Fork Wilderness, the Beartree Recreation Area, Grayson Highlands State Park and Whitetop Mountain.

New River Valley Ranger District

Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway

The Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway is a 16-mile route showcasing the natural beauty of the Jefferson National Forest and rural southwest Virginia. For travelers on Interstate 77, the byway is a scenic, relaxing alternative to six miles of Interstate traffic and the Big Walker Mountain Interstate tunnel.

If you have a few extra minutes, you might want to fish or just cool off in Stony Fork Creek, accessible from several points along the byway.

There are two good hiking trails—the Seven Sisters Trail and the Monster Rock Trail. The Appalachian Trail is a short two miles off the byway.

The byway drive is beautiful in all seasons, but especially magnificent during the fall color season. Brilliant oranges, reds and yellows color the route in mid-October and the smell of autumn is evident with each breath of fresh air.

Numerous overlooks along the way make it easy to fully appreciate the change in seasons. One of the most breathtaking overlooks is from the Big Bend Picnic area. While technically off the byway by four miles, Big Bend is a great place to take a walk, have a picnic and enjoy some solitude. In addition to picnic tables, there are old stone fireplaces at some of the sites. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, the fireplaces are in great shape and remind the visitor of slower paced days gone by.

Directions:

From Wytheville: Take Interstate 77 north to Exit 52. The byway begins here on Route 717 and continues on U.S. 52 after the two roads intersect. The byway returns to I-77 at Exit 47 via US 52.