Specific Information about recreational opportunities in Alleghany, Bath, and Highland Counties
DOUTHAT STATE PARK'S 50 acre lake offers a beach, bathhouse, boating and excellent trout fishing. Other facilities include a visitors center, restaurant, and lodge as well as cabins, campgrounds and miles of hiking trails. Open March-December. Route 1, Box 212, Millboro, VA 24460 (540) 862-7200
Hiking, swimming and fishing at LONGDALE FURNACE RECREATION AREA, 7AM-9PM, Memorial Day weekend- Labor Day weekend.1-64 exit 35 to Rt. 269 W. U.S. Forest Service, Madison Ave., Covington, VA 24426 (540) 962-2214
LAKE MOOMAW provides year round boating, water sports, fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking and hiking. This 2,530 acre lake has a 43 mile shoreline and is a part of the Gathright Wildlife Management Area in Alleghany and Bath counties. James River Ranger District (540) 962-2214; Warm Springs Ranger District (540) 839-2521
Cascading water and virgin timber mark the CASCADES WALK scenic trail. Free daily permit, April through October. Cascades Inn, US Route 220, Hot Springs, VA 24445 (540) 839-5355
ROARING RUN recreation area offers hiking and picnicking and features a 40 foot high falls and the ruins of an 1838 iron furnace. Rt. 220 S to Rt. 615 to 621. New Castle Ranger Station, P.O. Box 246, New Castle, VA 24127 (540) 864-5195
Virginia Power's BACK CREEK PUMP STORAGE STATION is created by the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi and provides the largest pump storage facility in the world. Tours of the facility weekdays, 10 AM-4:30PM and weekends 8AM-8PM and a 325 acre public recreation area. Visitor Center located on Rt. 600 north of the station entrance. For information call (540) 279-2389
Fishing abounds in many area streams and at the PAINT BANK STATE TROUT HATCHERY (tours only), Rt. 311, open daily, 7:30AM-4:00PM. Route 1, Box 2, Paint Bank, VA 24131 (540) 897-5401, the COURSEY SPRINGS FISH CULTURAL STATION, Rt. 678, permits fishing below the hatchery daily, 8AM-3:30PM. HCR-03 Box 28, Millboro, VA 24460 (540) 925-2343 and catch Alleghany Mountain Trout at the MONTEREY FISH HATCHERY, Rt. 220, Va Trout Co., Inc., (540) 468-2280
IN SEASON HUNTING spring and fall for a variety of forge and small game is permitted in many designated areas. For information contact the U.S. Forest Service (540) 962-2214 or (540) 839-2521
A mild climate assures GOLFING and TENNIS most of the year. A
ALLEGHANY COUNTRY CLUB, Rt. 2, Valley Ridge, Covington, VA 24426 (540) 862-5789
CLIFTONDALE COUNTRY CLUB (golf only), P.O. Box 17, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 (540) 862-2081
THE CASCADES, Rt. 220, Hot Springs, VA 24445 (540) 839-5550
DABNEY S. LANCASTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (tennis only Rt. 60, West, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 (540) 862-4246
THE GREENBRIER, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 (800) 624-6070
THE HOMESTEAD, Hot Springs, VA 24445 (800) 336-5771
THE VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER, located at the intersection of 1-64 and 1-81 just north of Lexington, offers a variety of equestrian events. P.O. Box 1051, Lexington, VA 24450 (540) 463-2194
THE LAUREL FORK area of the George Washington National Forest provides hiking trails and scenic beauty for the outdoors enthusiast. (540) 468-2550
THE BATH CO. NATIONAL HORSE & PONY SHOW is hosted the last week of July. (800) 628-8092
THE ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTER features a gallery with monthly changing exhibits and a sales area displaying regional fine arts and crafts. Free admission, summer months Monday-Saturday, other months Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30AM-4:30PM, 439 E. Ridgeway St., Clifton Forge, VA 24422 (540) 862-4447
Chamber music is offered at GARTH NEWEL MUSIC CENTER on Sunday afternoons July-Labor Day. P.O. Box 427, Hot Springs, VA 24445 (540) 839-5018
ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS ARTS COUNCIL fall, winter, and spring performing arts series. 185 N. Maple Av., Covington, VA 24426 (540) 962-6220
At the LIME KILN OUTDOOR THEATRE where lime was once made, actors and musicians entertain in summer. P.O. Box 663, Lexington, VA (540) 463-3074
Walk the quaint country streets of MAIN STREET MONTEREY and visit the local gallery or craft and antique shops. (540) 468-2550
Opportunities for admiring or acquiring unique crafts or original art are abundant at shops in the HOT SPRINGS area. (800) 628-8092
Scenic Drives are found on OLD NORTH MOUNTAIN ROAD, 1-64 exit 35 on Rt. 269 W. for 300 yds., turn left onto Rt. 770 E. to top of mountain, then left onto Rt. 447 N. to Goshen I-64 exit; ROSE STREET HOLLOW ROAD Rt. 188 from Clifton Forge to Rt. 606 to 220 N, INGALLS FIELD AIRPORT ROAD from Rt. 220 N right on Rt. 606 to Rt. 540 to the airport, on Rt. 220 N from Covington to Warm Springs; Rt. 39/42 A Virginia Scenic By-Way; and Rt. 159 A Virginia Scenic By-Way.
The MAPLE TOUR provides scenic views from Monterey W. on Rt. 250, right on Rt. 637, right on Rt. 642, right on Rt. 220S., left on Rt. 629, left on Rt. 250 E., in McDowell turn left on Rt. 654, left on Rt. 624. Visit during the Highland County Maple Festival the 2nd and 3rd weekends of March to view maple sugar processing.
The Alleghany Highlands is graced with two 5 STAR RESORT HOTELS, THE HOMESTEAD, National Historic Landmark on 15,000 acres with 101 years of family ownership (Hot Springs, VA 24445 (800) 336-5771 and THE GREENBRIER (White Sulphur Springs, WV (800) 624-6070) both with grounds open to visitors and day passes for many activities and programs.
Visit the classic Victorian HIGHLAND INN listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located on Main St. in Monterey (540) 468-2143 and nearby on Rt. 220 S. the MAPLE MUSEUM features exhibits demonstrating the making of maple syrup. (540) 468-2550
The CLIFTON FORGE POST OFFICE, built in 1910, abounds in neoclassic architectural details and is one of many architectural treasures in downtown Clifton Forge which is in the National Register of Historic Places and a 'Main Street' community.
The exterior of the ALLEGHANY COUNTY COURT HOUSE, built in 1911, has been restored to its original design and finish and houses many records utilized in genealogical research. It is located in the Main St. area of Covington which is in the National Register of Historic Places.
The BATH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM is located in a small cottage adjacent to the courthouse in Warm Springs. Open weekdays spring through October 10 AM-4PM (540) 839-2543
The C & O HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES preserves and interprets the rich history of the C & O Railway. Display and sales area; special events. Open year round 312 E. Ridgeway St., Clifton Forge, VA 24422. Call for info and hours (800) 453-COHS
The natural rock pools with 98.6 F temperature at WARM SPRINGS BATHS are sheltered in their original 18th and 19th century structures. Open mid-April-October, 10:30 AM-5PM, M-F, fee includes swimsuit. Warm Springs, Rt. 220 N
The former Antebellum resort, Red Sweet Springs, now SWEET CHALYBEATE SPRINGS AND POOL on Rt. 603, is privately owned with public access during summer months. Write to Rt. 3, Sweet Chalybeate, Covington, VA 24426
In 1778 Thomas Jefferson described FALLING SPRINGS as a 'remarkable cascade...falling over a rock about 200 feet to the valley below.' Rt. 220 N of Covington
LUCY SELINA FURNACE AND 100 FT+ STACKS AND THE HISTORIC FIRMSTONE MANOR are reminders of the area's 19th century iron industry. The Manor is now open to the public as a bed and breakfast inn 1-64 exit 35 on Rt. 269 W. in Longdale (540) 862-0892; FAX 862-3554
The only surviving trussed arch in America, HUMPBACK BRIDGE is surrounded by its own state wayside park and provides magnificent 4 season photo opportunities. A Virginia Historic Landmark. Take a stroll through history when you cross the bridge just off Midland Trail Rt. 60; 3 miles W. Covington,1-64 exit 10 (540) 962-2178
FORT YOUNG is a reconstruction of the original French and Indian war fort of 1756 designed by George Washington.1-64 exit 14, to West Riverview Dr., Covington
A unique English country manor, MILTON HALL BED & BREAKFAST INN is a Virginia Historic Landmark constructed in 1874.1-64 exit 10 to Midland Trail to Indian Draft Road to Thorny Lane, Callaghan (540) 965-0196
HISTORIC LEXINGTON offers the Lee Chapel, Stonewall Jackson House, Marshall Museum, Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute. (540) 463-3777
The MCDOWELL BATTLEFIELD is the site of the May 8, 1862 battle which was General Stonewall Jackson's first victory during the famous Valley Campaign. Not commercially developed/owned by the Asoc. for the Preservation of Civil War Sites. On Rt. 250 E. of McDowell, VA (540) 468-2550
HIDDEN VALLEY on the Jackson River W. of Warm Springs features a pre-Civil War plantation house, WARWICKTON MANSION, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes and was the filming location in 1992 for a major motion picture starring Jodie Foster and Richard Gere. Also in the area is a 30 unit campground and excellent fishing in the Jackson. (540) 839-2521 or (540) 839-3178