Expanded parking at Appalachian Trail access point just in time for "leaf peeping" season
BRISTOL — Appalachian Trail hikers striking out to find fall colors will also find improved parking at a popular location along the trail.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the USDA Forest Service gathered today (October 2) at the Elk Garden trailhead to celebrate the recent expansion of the parking area located at the Smyth/Grayson County line along Route 600 (Whitetop Road).
The expansion provides over three times the available parking and improved access points along the parking area to protect rare plants around the perimeter.
A popular location for folks on foot headed toward Mt. Rogers Summit or on horseback on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, the project also provided larger parking spaces to accommodate horse trailers.
Perched between Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, Elk Garden is a beloved access point to the Appalachian Trail as it traverses past ponies and rare ecosystems on the two highest peaks in Virginia.
This project is an example of the Appalachian Trail's cooperative management system at work, said Jerry Kyle, High Country Regional Manager for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. It required cooperation between VDOT, the USDA Forest Service, Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
"The new Elk Garden and Fox Creek parking lots have improved both highway safety and public access to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Southwest Virginia," Kyle said. "These new improvements also protect sensitive species, and the A.T. experience for the long term."
Federal Land Access Program funds were obtained for the project, and VDOT’s Volney Area Headquarters performed the work. Additionally, the crew recently improved access to the Lewis Fork Trailhead, a horseback riding trail off Route 603 in Grayson County.
“Expanding access points like Elk Garden makes it easier for hikers, horseback riders and families to get out and enjoy the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. These improvements don’t happen alone — they’re the result of strong partnerships committed to serving the public,” said Area Ranger Ed Wright. “When we work together to enhance recreation infrastructure, we not only help people experience their national forest, we also support the local communities whose economies benefit from increased visitation.”
Three additional federal land access projects will be completed next summer:
- Route 603 (Grayson County) - Appalachian Trail Access at Fox Creek: A second entrance will be constructed, and the current parking area will be expanded into a horseshoe-shaped parking area. Work will be performed by VDOT’s Volney Area Headquarters.
- Route 603 (Grayson County) - Scales Access: Parking for multiple horse trailers and car parking will be constructed in a currently open hay field. Work will be completed by VDOT’s Volney Area Headquarters
- Route 643 (Wythe County) Collins Cove: Construction of a day parking facility at Collins Cove Horse Camping area, providing parking for fishing along Cripple Creek. Work will be completed by VDOT’s Wytheville Area Headquarters.
The five federal land access projects cost approximately $625,000.
About the district
The Bristol District encompasses more than 7,400 miles of roadway across 12 counties—Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe—and the cities of Bristol and Norton.
For more information, visit VDOT’s website at vdot.virginia.gov. View traffic information at 511.vdot.virginia.gov. Contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).
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