• Biking:

  The Virginia Creeper Trail is listed in the top 12 trails in the nation for autumn foliage. It is 34 miles long, runs from the high mountains to river valleys, and passes through small towns along the way. Bike rentals and shuttles are available in both Abingdon and Damascus. An increasingly-popular family outing is taking the shuttle to Whitetop Station and then riding 17 miles back to Damascus, almost all downhill. In addition to the Creepr Trail, single-track biking is growing in popularity, utilizing the National Forest trails. Check the bike rental section of this website.

• Mountain biking:

  Iron Mountain Bike Race. The Iron Mountain Bike Race is an annual event in Damascus, Virginia. The race combines both cross country and downhill.

• Birding:

  Damascus is on Virginia's Birding and Wildlife Trail, on both the Mount Rogers Loop and the South Holston Loop. On the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website, this description is provided: "Neotropical songbirds typically nesting in more northern climates can be found breeding within this region. Blackburnian warbler, black-capped chickadee, golden-crowned kinglet and even red crossbill and northern saw-whet owl may be found here in summer.

Camping:

Damascus is neighbors with the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, and close to Grayson Highlands State Park. Camping ranges from deep-woods backpacking to the comfort of an RV. More camping information can be found by clicking here.

• Festivals:

  The best-known festival in Damascus is Trail Days, which brings thousands of hikers and tourists to the small town. It is sponsored by Backpacker Magazine, and run by local residents.

• Fishing:

  Whitetop Laurel Creek in Washington County, Virginia is one of state's largest and most beautiful wild trout streams. Approximately seven miles are stocked trout waters located on both private and public lands with an additional five miles of special regulation waters flowing through the Mount Rogers National Recreational Area. Within the special regulation sections, anglers have the opportunity to catch brook, brown, and rainbow trout while enjoying the scenic mountain atmosphere. More information can be found here: http://www.vacreepertrail.us/fishing.html.

• Golf:

  Deer Field Golf Course, Highway 91, 1 mile NE of Damascus. 9 holes of golfing in a beautiful mountain setting. Carts are available. Weather dependent season: March - November. Call 276-475-5649 for more information and tee times.

• Hiking:

  Damascus is located on the Appalachian Trail, and is crossed by the Iron Mountain Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail. The nearby National Recreation Area has over 400 miles of hiking trails. The Creeper Trail is good for short hikes but should be avoided on weekends due to bike and horse traffic.

• Horse riding:

  There are numerous horse trails in the immediate area, including the 67-mile Virginia Horse Trail. Camps specializing in horse riders are also available. A new service advertising horse rides has just been started. Click here for information. also, the High Country Horse Camp is open from April to October.

• Hunting:

  Bows, rifles, shotguns, and muzzleloaders are all permitted during the appropriate seasons in the National Recreation Area. Crossbows are not allowed. Whitetails, turkeys, grouse, squirrels and several other species are abundant.

• Kayaking:

  Laurel Creek and the small streams feeding into it are becoming major whitewater destinations for individual paddlers and clubs within a hundred mile radius. The lower Laurel offers comfortable class I and II runs from below Damascus to Alvarado. Whitetop Laurel has class III and IV rapids when the water is high.

• Motorcycles:

  On warm weekends Damascus is both a destination and a stop along the way for bikers heading into the challenging curves of local highways and roads. TheShady Valley County Store, just a few miles away, advertises "Three mountains, one valley, 489 curves.

• Photography:

  Both professional and amateur photographers find a wealth of opportunity in the towns, forests, and waterways of the Southwest Virginia area. Visitors are invited to submit their photos for this website.

• Religious services:

  Most denominations are represented in Damascus and in the vicinity, including Catholic churches in Abingdon and Mountain City, a synagogue nearBristol, and a mosque in Blacksburg.

• Running:

  The mostly smooth, cindered track of the Creeper Trail offers 17 miles on traffic-free running in both directions from Damascus. Further information can be found here.

• Walking:

  You can walk the streets of a small town and witness what is vanishing from many areas of the United States. Or you can take off into the woods and explore nature. With hundreds of miles of trails to choose from, or the tranquility of downtown Damascus, walkers have enough options for an extended vacation.