Southwest Virginia highlands: Grayson ponies to the Breaks
Wild ponies on the balds of Grayson Highlands, the Virginia Creeper Trail, a railroad through a natural tunnel and the deep gorge of Breaks Interstate Park.
- Distance
- 457 km (284 mi)
- Driving
- 5 h 04 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- States
- VA
- Updated
- June 26, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 457 km (284 mi) with 8 stops, from Roanoke to Grundy. About 5 h 04 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Virginia
Route description
Leave Roanoke on I-81 south through the Valley of Virginia for about two hours to Marion, then take VA-16 north a few miles to Hungry Mother State Park, a wooded lake with a beach, cabins and campgrounds. Beyond the park, VA-16 continues north as the Back of the Dragon, a very twisty mountain road to Tazewell that is popular with motorcyclists but hard work in a big RV.
From Marion drive south on VA-16 over the mountains to Volney and then west on US-58 to Grayson Highlands State Park, about an hour. Walk from Massie Gap onto the balds, where wild ponies graze among the rock outcrops; Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest point, is a longer hike on the Appalachian Trail. The park road and US-58 are steep and winding, so large RVs should go slowly.
US-58 then runs west through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area to Damascus, where the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail meet in the middle of town. The Abingdon half of the trail is open, but the 17-mile downhill run from Whitetop Station, wrecked by Hurricane Helene, is due to reopen only in spring 2027. Abingdon, about 15 miles further, is an old town of brick sidewalks, home of the Barter Theatre and the other end of the Creeper Trail.
Take US-58 Alt and US-23 west to Natural Tunnel State Park near Duffield, where a seasonal chairlift runs down to the huge tunnel used by trains. Then drive north through coal country, via Wise and Clintwood, to Breaks Interstate Park, about 1.5 hours. In October, dam releases bring whitewater paddlers to the Russell Fork below the overlooks. Finish at Grundy on US-460. The roads are slow and winding; the route is about 550 km.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Roanoke
VA - 2176 km
Hungry Mother State Park
NatureMarion, VAA wooded lake with a sandy swimming beach, boat rentals and a trail up Molly’s Knob, a few miles north of I-81 at Marion. One of Virginia’s six original state parks from 1936, with cabins and campgrounds.
- 334 km
Grayson Highlands State Park
NatureMouth of Wilson, VAHigh grassy balds and rock outcrops near Mount Rogers where wild ponies graze along the Appalachian Trail. From the Massie Gap lot it is about a mile to the pony areas; the park road is steep and winding.
- 429 km
Damascus
VA - 523 km
Abingdon
VA - 682 km
Natural Tunnel State Park
NatureDuffield, VAA natural tunnel more than 850 feet long, carved through a limestone ridge by Stock Creek and still used by trains. A seasonal chairlift or a steep trail leads down to the viewing platform; parking fee.
- 792 km
Breaks Interstate Park
ViewsBreaks, VAA gorge more than 1,600 feet deep on the Kentucky–Virginia line, often called the Grand Canyon of the South, with rim overlooks and trails. The park has a lodge, campground and small lake; approach roads are winding.
- 821 km
Grundy
VA
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Roanoke → Hungry Mother State Park · 110 mi · 1 h 57 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camp Burson (1 mi); Hurricane Campground (11 mi).
- Day 2: Hungry Mother State Park → Damascus · 39 mi · 0 h 42 minOn the way: Grayson Highlands State Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Hurricane Campground (17 mi); Laurel Creek RV Park (< 1 km).
- Day 3: Damascus → Natural Tunnel State Park · 65 mi · 1 h 10 minOn the way: Abingdon.Overnight nearby, for example: Bark Camp Recreation Area Campground (17 mi); Cove View Campground (< 1 km).
- Day 4: Natural Tunnel State Park → Grundy · 70 mi · 1 h 15 minOn the way: Breaks Interstate Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Church of Christ Youth Camp (7 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Southwest Virginia highlands: Grayson ponies to the Breaks?
4-day road trip of about 457 km (284 mi) with 8 stops, from Roanoke to Grundy. About 5 h 04 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Southwest Virginia highlands: Grayson ponies to the Breaks?
We suggest 4 days: about 5 h 04 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Southwest Virginia highlands: Grayson ponies to the Breaks start and end?
It starts in Roanoke and ends in Grundy.
Which states does Southwest Virginia highlands: Grayson ponies to the Breaks pass through?
Virginia.
Where can you camp along Southwest Virginia highlands: Grayson ponies to the Breaks?
OpenStreetMap lists 40 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: U.S. 221 Drive-in Campground, Hurricane Campground and Camp Burson.
When is the best time for Southwest Virginia highlands: Grayson ponies to the Breaks?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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