Outdoor Adventures 2024

Strenuous Hike from Backbone Rock to Damascus

Monday, July 29: 9am-1pm (meet at the Caboose in Damascus Town Park)

This 7.3-mile hike with 1,540 feet in elevation gain on the Backbone Rock Trail and Appalachian Trail is recommended for experienced hikers in good physical condition. Hiking sticks are recommended. Meet at the caboose in the Damascus Town Park for a shuttle to Backbone Rock to start the one-way hike back to Damascus.

Hike on Clyburn Hollow Trail

Wednesday, July 31: 9am-noon (meet at the Discovery Center on Hwy 16, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion)

Clyburn Hollow Trail is a 2.2-mile loop trail in Hungry Mother State Park near Marion, Virginia. Generally considered an easy to moderate hike depending on the hiker's ability. This great hiking trail takes 1 to1½ hours to complete and offers good views of Hungry Mother Lake and Molly’s Knob on the other side of the lake. Bring water, hiking sticks and possibly raingear, and wear hiking boots or shoes.

Registration is required. Register online at vahighlandsfestival.com by Tuesday, July 30. Limited to 25 people.Hike to The Great Channels

Thursday, August 1: 9am-4 pm (meet at Hayters Gap Community Center, 7720 Hayters Gap Road, Saltville, VA 24370)

Imagine squeezing between forty-foot-high stone walls. The Great Channels is a unique geologic formation composed of a network of deep sandstone crevices at the top of Clinch Mountain. The Great Channels is part of the Channels State Forest and Natural Area Preserve.

Snorkeling in Whitetop-Laurel Creek with Blue Ridge Discovery Center

Sunday, July 28, 1-2:30pm and 2:45-4:15pm

Join Blue Ridge Discovery Center and snorkel for native fish, aquatic insects and hellbenders on Whitetop-Laurel Creek. Wetsuits, snorkel masks, and changing tents are provided by BRDC, but you need to bring a swimsuit and towels. We will be snorkeling in 1-3 feet of water with no swimming necessary.