Trail Guide
Appalachian Trail Virginia: Damascus to Harpers Ferry Planning Guide
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Virginia holds a quarter of the Appalachian Trail: 556 miles from Damascus to Harpers Ferry. Permits, the 2026 detours, water, mileage by section, resupply, gear and the Virginia Blues, checked October 17, 2026.
By Brooke14 min read
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Overview
Who the Virginia AT is for
Virginia rewards two kinds of hiker. The first is the section hiker who wants a famous few days: the Triple Crown loop near Roanoke (about 33 to 35 miles over three days, per a March 2025 trip video), or Shenandoah, which the ATC describes as about 100 miles of well-kept trail where climbs rarely top 500 to 1,000 feet. The second is the thru-hiker, for whom Virginia is unavoidable and, by its own reputation, a mental test.
Fitness: daily climbs are moderate by AT standards, but the miles add up and water gaps in the southwest can run 10 or 11 miles in a dry spell (a Trek writer, April 2026). Experience: no technical skills needed, though Dragon's Tooth has a steep rock scramble and the Mount Rogers high country sits near 5,500 feet, where weather turns fast. First-timers: Shenandoah is the gentlest entry, with road crossings and waysides that make early exits easy. I'd steer a first trip away from the Marion to Pearisburg ridges in July and August.
The honest catch is the stretch people call the Virginia Blues: long green ridges, few views, and hot, dry summers. Plan for it and it's a stage of the trip, not a reason to quit.
At a glance
Trail at a glance
Permits
Shenandoah NP only: Rec.gov permit $9 + $6, walk-in entry listed at $15 (NPS, Oct 17, 2026)
Distance
556 mi NOBO (AWOL 2026: mile 471 to 1027); ATC counts 557.5 Virginia miles
Resupply
About 20 stops, on trail to 9.4 mi off (The Trek, Sep 2026)
Shelters
61 in Virginia (ATC)
Elevation
650 to 5,500 ft (ATC)
Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous; water carries are the hard part
Best season
April to early June, September to October
Time needed
5 to 6 weeks end to end at 15 mi a day; sections 3 to 9 days
Best direction
Northbound (matches every guidebook's mileage)
When to go
When to hike
The trail never closes, so no month gets a red mark, but the comfortable windows are April to early June and September to October. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Big Meadows (3,540 ft) give average lows of 37°F in April and 42°F in October, with highs of 57°F and 58°F. Down at Roanoke (1,157 ft) July averages 86°F, and that heat on dry ridges is why I mark July and August as shoulder months; the ATC flagged very dry conditions on the Triple Crown on September 3, 2026. Spring brings the crowd: Visit Damascus puts the northbound thru-hiker bubble at April to June, and Trail Days in Damascus ran May 15-17, 2026 (May 13-15, 2027 is listed). Winter trips work for hikers with cold-weather kit: Big Meadows averages a January low of 19°F, and the Mount Rogers high country, about 2,000 feet higher, runs colder. Shenandoah's waysides and lodges are seasonal, so check nps.gov/shen before you count on a hot meal.
Permits & logistics
Permits & logistics
Permit
Shenandoah backcountry permit
Carry the permit printed or on your phone and show it to a ranger on request. The $6 fee is non-refundable; the $9 comes back if you cancel more than three days out. (NPS backcountry regulations, checked October 17, 2026)
Entry fee
Shenandoah entrance pass
Buy it on Recreation.gov with the permit or at an entrance station. Hiking in on the AT counts as entering on foot. (NPS fees page and ATC permits page, checked October 17, 2026)
Camping rule
Shenandoah: where you can sleep
Also closed to camping all year: the AT between Hogwallow Flats and Gravel Springs Hut, Hawksbill above 3,200 ft and the Big Meadows clearing. Fires only in park-built fireplaces at huts. (NPS, ATC, checked October 17, 2026)
Camping rule
Triple Crown corridor (RATC and NPS)
Dispersed camping is allowed on Jefferson National Forest land here except near Dragon's Tooth Trail and the Boy Scout Trail. No parking along VA 311. (RATC, checked October 17, 2026)
Parking
Grayson Highlands overnight lot
I couldn't find the 2026 nightly fee on a current state page; an undated DCR form lists $8 a day. Call the park before you book. (DCR, checked October 17, 2026)
Fire rule
Mount Rogers high country
Use a stove. Check the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests site for whether the ban has been lifted. (ATC, DCR, checked October 17, 2026)
Outside Shenandoah, the Virginia AT runs through national forest land and needs no permit (ATC permits page, checked October 17, 2026). Hikers 16 and older pay the Shenandoah entrance fee. Book the Shenandoah permit before you lose signal; the park doesn't sell it on site and Recreation.gov users rate Big Meadows Campground's Verizon coverage 0.6 out of 4. Black bears are active along the whole state. The park asks you to hang food 12 feet up and 6 feet out or use a canister, and the ATC calls hard-sided canisters the most reliable option on the AT after a Virginia bear tore through three Ursacks at Bailey Gap Shelter in April 2026.
Miles, direction and how many days
I got stuck on the mileage before anything else, because every source counts it a little differently. Here's what each says:
| Source | Damascus | Harpers Ferry | Virginia total |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWOL's The A.T. Guide 2026, via The Trek (Sep 9, 2026) | 471 | 1027 | 556 (my subtraction) |
| ATC 2026 trail-update miles | n/a | 1,026.7 (footbridge) | 557.5 Virginia miles (state page) |
| ATC official AT length 2026 | 2,197.9 for the whole trail | ||
| Older version of this guide | 467 | 1024 | about 550 |
Miles here follow the AWOL 2026 numbers, counted northbound from Springer Mountain, because they're the ones most hikers carry and FarOut differs by only a few tenths (The Trek). ATC's 557.5 is the whole state, including the 3.7 miles from the Tennessee line to Damascus. Virginia's share works out to 557.5 ÷ 2,197.9 = 25.4%, so "a quarter" is right and the "26%" this guide used to print was a little high.
Direction. Go northbound unless you have a reason not to. The mile numbers in every guidebook and in ATC alerts run that way, so your notes and the alerts match. The one reason to flip: Visit Damascus puts the northbound thru-hiker bubble at April to June, so a spring section hiker going north travels with the crowd and fills the same shelters.
Itineraries. At 12 to 16 miles a day, which is my planning pace, not a promise:
| Trip | Start to finish | Miles | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple Crown loop | Andy Layne trailhead (overnight parking allowed) | about 33-35 | 3 |
| Grayson Highlands | Damascus to Massie Gap via the 2026 detour | 29.5 | 2-3 |
| Triple Crown point to point | Pearisburg (636) to Daleville (731) | 95 | 6-7 |
| Shenandoah | Rockfish Gap (865) to US 522 (973) | 108 | 7-9 |
| Whole state | Damascus (471) to Harpers Ferry (1027) | 556 | 35-46 |
The Grayson figure is a sum worth showing: the AT runs 31.4 miles from Damascus to Massie Gap (502.4, ATC), the detour swaps 22.8 of those for 20.9, so 31.4 - 22.8 + 20.9 = 29.5 miles in 2026.
Day hikes on the trail. McAfee Knob from the VA 311 lot is just under 8 miles round trip with about 1,400 feet of climbing, 4 to 6 hours (RATC). Dragon's Tooth Trail is 2.3 miles each way, from 1,739 to 2,842 feet (USFS). Bearfence Rock Scramble in Shenandoah is 1.4 miles round trip with about 311 feet of gain, and the NPS says skip it when wet or icy. Virginia Trail Guide lists Mount Rogers from Grayson Highlands at about 9 miles and 1,100 feet.
The Virginia Blues and the water problem
The Virginia Blues are what hikers call the low stretch somewhere between Marion and Pearisburg: long green ridges, few views, towns far apart and, in summer, heat and dry springs. I love that the trail community gave a mood a name. It means you can plan for it.
Water is the real problem hiding inside the mood. In April 2026 a Trek writer found sources 10 or 11 miles apart in southern Virginia and called it a dry spring. In September the ATC flagged very dry conditions on the Triple Crown. My rule for these ridges is in the hazards box: always carry enough to reach the source after next.
Here's the sum that settles how much bottle you need. If the next sure source is 11 miles off and you drink about half a liter an hour on a warm day at 2 miles an hour, that's 5.5 hours, or about 2.75 liters, before cooking. So 3 liters is a floor, and 4 is more comfortable in July.
Two ways to keep the Blues short: split the long carries using Quarter Way Inn (mile 556) and Trent's Grocery (mile 610), and treat the Triple Crown as the reward waiting at the other end.
The Triple Crown: Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs
Three rock summits above the Catawba Valley, about 34 trail miles from mile 697.5 to Daleville at 731.1 by the ATC's count. RATC calls McAfee Knob the most photographed spot on the whole AT, and it gets the crowds to prove it: weekends in spring and fall peak, so RATC suggests weekdays.
The loop. Most section hikers do it as a three-day loop on the AT, North Mountain, Catawba Valley and Andy Layne trails. One March 2025 video put it at 33 to 35 miles, with a first day of 13 miles and about 3,250 feet of climbing. The Andy Layne trailhead was rebuilt in 2026 with about 50 parking spaces, 0.8 miles south of the old one; loop hikers walk 0.8 miles on VA 779, which has no shoulder, so don't do that road in the dark (ATC, August 20, 2026).
Where to sleep. Only at Johns Spring, Catawba, Campbell or Lambert's Meadow shelters, or Pig Farm Campsite, on the NPS corridor (RATC). Pig Farm is 0.7 miles from McAfee Knob, the best base for sunrise, but in August 2026 its spring took 20 minutes to fill 2 quarts and Catawba Mountain Shelter was dry (allthefishers.com, August 13, 2026). Fires only in the metal rings.
Parking and the shuttle. Overnight parking is allowed at Trout Creek (VA 620), the Andy Layne lot and the Daleville Park and Ride, but not at the Dragon's Tooth lot or along VA 311 (RATC). For day trips, Roanoke County's McAfee Knob shuttle runs Fridays to Sundays from March 6 to November 29, 2026, listed at $11 round trip plus fees (Roanoke County, 2026), from Salem and two park-and-ride lots; book at McAfeeShuttle.com.
The mistake I'd most like you to skip: a March 2025 hiker climbed Dragon's Tooth near dusk with the satellite messenger left at camp, then came down the rocks by headlamp.
Shenandoah National Park: permit, closures and waysides
The ATC describes about 100 miles of AT in the park, with climbs that rarely top 500 to 1,000 feet. It's the easiest long stretch in Virginia, and it has the most rules.
Permit. Buy it on Recreation.gov or at 877-444-6777: $9 per person plus a $6 reservation fee, no matter how many nights, up to 90 days ahead or the same day. Self-registration ended January 11, 2024. On foot you also need an entrance pass, listed at $15 per person (NPS, checked October 17, 2026), and the park is cashless. AT hikers can tick the thru-hiker option and skip naming a zone for each night.
Where to camp. Huts are for hikers spending three or more nights in the park, first come. Otherwise pick a found site at least 20 yards from the trail, 10 from water, 100 from any hut and a quarter mile from roads, waysides and campgrounds. Closed to camping: the AT between Hogwallow Flats and Gravel Springs Hut, Hawksbill above 3,200 feet and the Big Meadows clearing (NPS). In 2026 also: the AT from Lewis Mountain (918.7) to Big Meadows (927.5), including Bearfence Mountain Hut, since September 25, and the Naked Creek backcountry zone, closed to all recreation in October.
Bears. Hang food 12 feet up and 6 feet out, or use a canister set 70 to 100 yards from camp (NPS). The park's brochure says huts have hang poles and storage boxes; found sites have nothing, so bring your own method.
Waysides. Loft Mountain, Lewis Mountain, Big Meadows, Skyland and Elkwallow sell food a short walk from the trail (The Trek). A 2025 podcast crew found snacks rather than backpacking meals, and some grills closed early in the season, so carry real dinners. If you need help, dial 911: the park's own emergency line was out of service in October 2026.
Damascus, Grayson Highlands and the 2026 detour
Damascus calls itself Trail Town USA and the AT walks down its main street, by the library. Trail Days, the AT's biggest reunion, ran May 15-17, 2026, and Visit Damascus lists May 13-15, 2027; the Wilson Street lot has no parking in May.
The 2026 detour. North of town the AT is closed for 9.2 miles while the Forest Service rebuilds the Virginia Creeper Trail after Hurricane Helene. The ATC's July 17, 2026 update says the Creeper reopens March 31, 2027, and the detour ends then. Detour A: from US 58 walk 2.5 miles north on the AT, take the Iron Mountain Spur, then 15.3 miles on the Iron Mountain Trail to Cherry Tree Shelter, the Flat Top Trail 1.7 miles, and the Mt. Rogers Trail 3.9 miles back to the AT. Wear blaze orange in hunting season and carry a paper map. Detour B: a shuttle to Grassy Ridge Road. Damascus Outfitters keeps the shuttle list (276-546-8411). Both count for the ATC's 2,000-miler program.
Grayson Highlands. About 2.5 miles of AT cross the state park, where camping isn't allowed (DCR). The overnight lot at Massie Gap needs a reservation by midnight the day before. Campfires are banned from Beech Mountain Road to Massie Gap in 2026.
One gap I couldn't close: I found no 2026 confirmation for the Damascus hostels and outfitters older guides name, including The Place and Mount Rogers Outfitters. Call before you count on a bed.
Getting there, shuttles, the night before and the cost
Without a car. Harpers Ferry is the easy end: the station is served by Amtrak's Floridian (it replaced the Capitol Limited in November 2024) and MARC Brunswick Line weekday trains from Washington. In 2026 the footbridge into town was closed, so check the ATC before you plan to walk in from the Maryland side. The state's Virginia Breeze Highlands Rhythm bus runs Bristol, Wytheville, Radford, Christiansburg and Salem to Washington, with fares of $21-60 in the state's FY2025 table. Salem is also a stop for the McAfee Knob shuttle.
Shuttles. Private drivers fill the gaps. Damascus Outfitters keeps a list for the south end; RATC links one for the Roanoke area. A 2025 podcast crew texted 17 or 18 drivers from a 30-name list near Shenandoah and heard back from almost none, so book ahead.
The night before. Damascus for the south end (and a post office for mail drops). Salem or Roanoke for the Triple Crown, since the shuttle starts there. Waynesboro for a southern Shenandoah start, after buying the permit online the night before. Grayson Highlands parking must be reserved by midnight the day before.
What it costs. Fixed fees are low. For one person through Shenandoah: the $9 + $6 permit, plus the walk-in pass listed at $15 (NPS, checked October 17, 2026). Add them up: 9 + 6 + 15 = 30 dollars for the park. Two people on one permit: 9 + 9 + 6 = 24 for the permit, plus 2 x 15 for passes, so 54 dollars together (NPS fees, October 2026). The Triple Crown loop needs no permit, and RATC lists no fee for the Andy Layne lot. Grayson Highlands parking has a nightly fee I couldn't confirm for 2026. Everything else is food, rides and town nights, which I couldn't price reliably.
Gear, food and maps for Virginia
Temperatures by month (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, average high/low in °F):
| Station | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Meadows, 3,540 ft | 44/27 | 57/37 | 64/46 | 70/54 | 75/59 | 72/58 | 69/52 | 58/42 | 48/32 |
| Burkes Garden, 3,068 ft | 50/29 | 61/37 | 69/46 | 76/54 | 79/57 | 78/56 | 73/49 | 63/38 | 52/28 |
| Roanoke 8 N, 1,157 ft | 58/33 | 68/42 | 76/51 | 82/60 | 86/64 | 85/63 | 79/56 | 69/45 | 58/34 |
| Front Royal, 930 ft | 54/32 | 67/42 | 74/51 | 82/60 | 87/64 | 85/62 | 78/56 | 67/45 | 56/35 |
Those are averages, and the camps sit on ridges, so I size the bag about 10°F under the average low. That points to a 20°F bag for March, April and November, and a 30-40°F quilt for June to August. The Mount Rogers high country has no NOAA station and runs about 2,000 feet above Big Meadows, so go warmer there. Our reviews of the Western Mountaineering UltraLite and the best backpacking quilts cover both ends, and the NeoAir XLite NXT is the pad I'd read up on for shoulder months.
Gear with a reason. Water first: capacity for 3 to 4 liters and a fast filter like the Sawyer Squeeze. A bear canister, given the Bailey Gap Ursacks. A satellite messenger, because cell signal is thin. A stove such as the MSR PocketRocket 2, since campfires are banned in the Mount Rogers high country. A sun hoodie for the balds, and a real headlamp.
Food. Blue Ridge Outdoors cites the ATC at 1.5 to 2 pounds of high-calorie food a day, more in cold weather, and Backpacker's Pantry puts thru-hikers at 3,000 to 4,000 calories. The longest common carry is Pearisburg to Daleville, 95 miles: at 15 miles a day that's 6.3 days, so about 6 x 2 = 12 pounds of food leaving Pearisburg unless you stop in Catawba. In July heat, pack salty food and electrolytes, and cook meals that need little water on dry stretches. A 2025 podcast crew got sick drinking straight electrolyte mix on an empty stomach, so dilute it.
Books and maps. AWOL's The A.T. Guide (2026 edition) for mileage and towns. The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion 2026 from ALDHA and the ATC for town maps. National Geographic's Topographic Map Guides 1503 (Damascus to Bailey Gap), 1504 (Bailey Gap to Calf Mountain) and 1505 (Calf Mountain to Raven Rock) for paper. PATC maps 9, 10 and 11 for Shenandoah; PATC says the newest editions of 9 and 11 are sold through the Avenza app.
Worries, mistakes and what hikers reported in 2026
Is it safe solo? Lots of people section-hike Virginia alone. Shenandoah suits a solo first trip best because Skyline Drive is never far. Carry a satellite messenger, leave your plan with someone, and read RATC's personal safety tips.
Is it beginner friendly? Shenandoah, yes; the ATC calls its grades good for beginners. The southwest ridges in summer are harder than they look on a profile because of water.
Will I have phone signal? Often not. Recreation.gov users rate Big Meadows Campground's coverage 0.6 out of 4 for Verizon, 0.8 for AT&T and 2.6 for T-Mobile; Loft Mountain and Mathews Arm sit near 1 for every carrier (read October 17, 2026). The ATC notes no reception at Grassy Ridge Road on the detour. Check your carrier on the FCC National Broadband Map and carry a messenger.
Bears? Yes, and active: a 2026 family watched a mother bear and three cubs at Pig Farm Campsite. Store food every night.
Crowds? April to June brings the thru-hiker bubble; McAfee Knob is busiest on spring and fall weekends.
Bailing out. Road crossings are frequent: US 58 near Damascus, VA 16 near Marion, VA 311 at the Triple Crown, US 220 at Daleville, the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Daleville, Rockfish Gap at Waynesboro, Skyline Drive throughout Shenandoah, and US 522 at Front Royal.
Mistakes people make here (from trip videos, a podcast and blog reports):
- Carrying 2 liters or less on hot Shenandoah ridges (podcast, 2025).
- Climbing Dragon's Tooth at dusk and descending by headlamp (video, March 2025).
- Leaving sweaty socks out at Thomas Knob for the ponies (video, 2023 footage).
- A big wayside meal right before a steep climb (podcast, 2025).
- Expecting a meadow at Hawksbill and finding talus (podcast, 2025).
- Parking at the Dragon's Tooth lot overnight, which RATC prohibits.
What recent hikers report. April 12, 2026, The Trek: water 10 or 11 miles apart in a dry spring in southern Virginia. July 2026, The Trek: fast summer thunderstorms near Blackburn Trail Center. August 13, 2026, allthefishers.com: a dry Catawba Mountain Shelter, a trickling spring at Pig Farm and a bear family at camp.
Official links. ATC trail updates · Shenandoah backcountry rules · Shenandoah permit · Shenandoah alerts (or text SHENALERTS to 888777) · RATC Triple Crown rules · Grayson Highlands State Park · Creeper Trail detour · McAfee Knob shuttle · ATC Virginia. If you're weighing the rest of the trail, our full Appalachian Trail guide and Smokies guide pick up to the south.
Trail breakdown
Trail breakdown
Damascus to Massie Gap (Grayson Highlands)
In 2026 the Forest Service has the AT closed from US 58 at Straight Branch to Grassy Ridge Road (NOBO 476.6 to 485.8) while the Creeper Trail is rebuilt, until March 31, 2027 (ATC, updated July 17, 2026). Detour A follows the Iron Mountain, Flat Top and Mt. Rogers trails: 20.9 miles replacing 22.8 AT miles. Overnights on it: Sandy Flats Campsite, Straight Branch and Cherry Tree shelters. Detour B is a shuttle to Grassy Ridge Road, where there's no cell signal or parking.
Grayson Highlands to the Marion turnoff (VA 16)
The pony country. Grayson Highlands State Park asks you not to approach, feed or pet the ponies; a 2023 hiker video shows them chewing socks left out at Thomas Knob Shelter. You can't camp inside the park, Wise Shelter included; northbound, cross Big Wilson Creek into the national recreation area first (DCR). Troutdale (mile 520) is 2.6 miles off for a small store. Marion, 6 miles off at mile 535, is the full resupply (The Trek, 2026 AWOL miles).
VA 16 to Bland
This is where the Virginia Blues usually start: forest ridges with few views and real walking between towns. Quarter Way Inn at VA 610 (mile 556, 0.3 miles off) sells a full resupply, which splits this into two shorter carries. Bland is 3 miles east of mile 592 with a supermarket (The Trek, Sep 2026). Burkes Garden, the closest NOAA station, averages a July high of 79°F at 3,068 feet.
Bland to Pearisburg
Trent's Grocery at VA 606 (mile 610, 0.5 miles off) is a small mid-point stop. A Trek writer in April 2026 found sources 10 or 11 miles apart in southern Virginia during a dry spring. Pearisburg sits 0.8 miles off at mile 636 with several grocers. The ATC asks for no campfires anywhere from Davenport Gap to the New River at Pearisburg because of fuel from Hurricane Helene.
Pearisburg to Catawba
The ATC closed Bailey Gap Shelter and its camping area (mile 660.9) on April 21, 2026 after a food-conditioned bear took food from a hang and punctured three Ursacks; check whether it has reopened. Near mile 667 the new War Spur relocation in the Mountain Lake Wilderness added half a mile to the trail in 2026 with a gentler grade (ATC). Catawba (mile 705) has a post office and a grocery reached by shuttle.
The Triple Crown: Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs
Camp only at the designated sites on this NPS land: Johns Spring, Catawba, Campbell and Lambert's Meadow shelters or Pig Farm Campsite (RATC). RATC says the Dragon's Tooth area has no natural water. In August 2026 one family found Catawba Mountain Shelter dry and Pig Farm's source a trickle: 20 minutes for 2 quarts. Pig Farm is 0.7 miles from McAfee Knob for sunrise. Daleville, on trail at mile 731, has a Kroger and an outfitter.
Daleville to the James River (Glasgow)
North of Daleville the AT follows the Blue Ridge and crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway several times, which gives you road exits if something goes wrong. Glasgow, 5.9 miles west of mile 788, has small grocers (The Trek, Sep 2026). It's a quieter stretch after the Triple Crown crowds, and a good place to settle into big days.
James River to Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro)
Buena Vista is 9.3 miles west of mile 810, so most hikers carry through to Waynesboro, 4.5 miles off at Rockfish Gap (mile 865) with full groceries and an outfitter (The Trek). Priest Shelter is the one with the confession register; hikers have long written anonymous confessions in it. Buy your Shenandoah permit before Rockfish Gap, since the park boundary is just north.
Shenandoah south and central: Rockfish Gap to Big Meadows
Loft Mountain Wayside (894), Lewis Mountain (919) and Big Meadows (927) sell food and small resupplies (The Trek). Since September 25, 2026 camping is closed on the AT from Lewis Mountain (918.7) to Big Meadows (927.5), Bearfence Mountain Hut included, after wildlife run-ins; you can still walk it. Bearfence Rock Scramble, a 1.4-mile loop off Skyline Drive mile 56.4, is the 360-degree view (NPS).
Shenandoah north: Big Meadows to Front Royal
Skyland (935) and Elkwallow Wayside (954) are on or near the trail; Luray is 9.4 miles off at 945 (The Trek). The park closed the Naked Creek backcountry zone to all recreation in October 2026. A 2025 podcast crew warned that the miles from Compton Gap to US 522 run outside the park and were swampy and overgrown. Front Royal is 4 miles west of the US 522 crossing (973).
Front Royal to Harpers Ferry
The last miles follow the ridge along the Virginia and West Virginia line to the Potomac. A Trek writer in July 2026 raced thunderstorms near Blackburn Trail Center and Raven Rocks. The footbridge that carries the AT over the Potomac (mile 1,026.7) has been closed since July 27, 2026 and was expected to stay closed through October; there's no walking detour (ATC, October 6, 2026).
Highlights
What you’ll remember
Grayson Highlands Wild Ponies
Free-roaming ponies on the open balds near Massie Gap. The park asks you not to approach, feed or pet them.
Mount Rogers Summit Approach
Virginia's high point at 5,729 ft sits on a short spur; the summit is wooded. The open ground around Rhododendron Gap is the view.
McAfee Knob
The ledge above the Catawba Valley, about 8 miles round trip from VA 311 (RATC). No camping on the Knob.
Dragon's Tooth
Rock fins on Cove Mountain at the top of a steep scramble. No natural water nearby (RATC).
The Priest
The mountain behind Priest Shelter and its confession register. Pictured from Massies Mill; no licensed shelter photo exists.
Big Meadows Wayside
Hot food and a small resupply a short walk from the AT at mile 927. Seasonal hours; check nps.gov/shen.
Harpers Ferry and ATC Headquarters
The ATC's home town on the Potomac. In 2026 the AT footbridge here was closed from July 27; check ATC trail updates.
Hazards & safety
Hazards to plan for
Water gaps on the ridges (the decisive hazard)
Rule: leave each reliable source carrying enough to reach the source after next, plus 1 liter. In a dry spring in 2026 a Trek writer found southern Virginia sources 10 or 11 miles apart, and on September 3, 2026 the ATC reported very dry conditions on the Triple Crown (NOBO 697.5 to 731.1). RATC says the Dragon's Tooth area has no natural water. Read recent FarOut comments for each source and treat all of it.
2026 closures: Creeper Trail detour and Harpers Ferry footbridge
The AT is closed from US 58 at Straight Branch to Grassy Ridge Road (NOBO 476.6 to 485.8) until the Creeper Trail reopens March 31, 2027. Use the 20.9-mile Iron Mountain detour or a shuttle; don't walk US 58 or Grassy Ridge Road. The Potomac footbridge at Harpers Ferry (1,026.7) was closed from July 27, 2026 with no walking detour. Check appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates before you start (ATC, checked October 17, 2026).
Bears and food storage
Shenandoah closed camping from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows on September 25, 2026 after wildlife run-ins, and the ATC closed Bailey Gap Shelter in April 2026 after a bear beat a hang and three Ursacks. Hang food 12 feet up and 6 feet out or use a canister (NPS); the ATC calls hard-sided canisters the most reliable choice. Huts have poles or boxes, not every campsite does. Never leave food unattended.
Heat and lightning on exposed balds and ridges
Roanoke's July normal high is 86°F and the open balds near Mount Rogers give little shade. Start early, carry more water than you think, and get off open ground before afternoon storms. If you feel nausea, a racing pulse or confusion, stop in shade, drink and cool down before moving on.
Ice and cold in early spring
Big Meadows averages a March low of 27°F, and the Mount Rogers high country runs about 2,000 feet higher. Starts before May can meet ice on the balds and the rocky Dragon's Tooth descent. Carry microspikes and a bag rated near 20°F, and don't descend Dragon's Tooth in the dark.
Ticks and Lyme disease
The Virginia Department of Health warned in May 2026 that Lyme cases are rising, and the New River Health District near Pearisburg has the state's highest rates. Treat clothes and shoes with permethrin, use repellent, and check for ticks every evening.
Storm blowdowns
The ATC posted alerts on October 9 and 13, 2026 for the remnants of Hurricane Isaias, with heavy rain forecast into southwest Virginia, and Shenandoah reported storm power outages at Big Meadows. Expect high water and downed trees after storms, and avoid camping under dead or damaged trees.
Resupply
Resupply points
| Stop | Mile | Services | Days to next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damascus, VA (on trail) | 471 | Outfitters, grocers, post office (M-F 8:30-4:30, Sat 9-11) | 4-5 days to Marion (64 mi) |
| Marion, VA (6 mi W at VA 16) | 535 | Large groceries, Marion Outdoors | 1-2 days to Quarter Way Inn, or 4 to Bland |
| Quarter Way Inn (VA 610, 0.3 mi W) | 556 | Full resupply sold at the inn | 2-3 days to Bland (36 mi) |
| Bland, VA (3 mi E) | 592 | Supermarket, Dollar General | 3 days to Pearisburg (44 mi) |
| Pearisburg, VA (0.8 mi E) | 636 | Several grocers | 6-7 days to Daleville (95 mi), or 4-5 to Catawba |
| Catawba, VA (shuttle to grocery) | 705 | Catawba Grocery, post office; partial | 2 days to Daleville (26 mi) |
| Daleville, VA (on trail) | 731 | Kroger, outfitter | 4 days to Glasgow, 9 to Waynesboro |
| Glasgow, VA (5.9 mi W) | 788 | Small grocers; partial | 5 days to Waynesboro (77 mi) |
| Waynesboro, VA (4.5 mi W, Rockfish Gap) | 865 | Full groceries, outfitter | 2 days to Loft Mountain Wayside |
| Shenandoah waysides (Loft Mtn, Lewis Mtn, Big Meadows, Skyland, Elkwallow) | 894-954 | Snacks and small resupply; seasonal hours | 1-2 days between each |
| Front Royal, VA (4 mi W of US 522) | 973 | Full groceries, Mountain Trails outfitter | 3-4 days to Harpers Ferry (54 mi) |
| Harpers Ferry, WV (on trail) | 1027 | A few small stores; mail drop suggested | End of this guide |
Damascus, VA (on trail)
- Mile
- 471
- Services
- Outfitters, grocers, post office (M-F 8:30-4:30, Sat 9-11)
- Days to next
- 4-5 days to Marion (64 mi)
Marion, VA (6 mi W at VA 16)
- Mile
- 535
- Services
- Large groceries, Marion Outdoors
- Days to next
- 1-2 days to Quarter Way Inn, or 4 to Bland
Quarter Way Inn (VA 610, 0.3 mi W)
- Mile
- 556
- Services
- Full resupply sold at the inn
- Days to next
- 2-3 days to Bland (36 mi)
Bland, VA (3 mi E)
- Mile
- 592
- Services
- Supermarket, Dollar General
- Days to next
- 3 days to Pearisburg (44 mi)
Pearisburg, VA (0.8 mi E)
- Mile
- 636
- Services
- Several grocers
- Days to next
- 6-7 days to Daleville (95 mi), or 4-5 to Catawba
Catawba, VA (shuttle to grocery)
- Mile
- 705
- Services
- Catawba Grocery, post office; partial
- Days to next
- 2 days to Daleville (26 mi)
Daleville, VA (on trail)
- Mile
- 731
- Services
- Kroger, outfitter
- Days to next
- 4 days to Glasgow, 9 to Waynesboro
Glasgow, VA (5.9 mi W)
- Mile
- 788
- Services
- Small grocers; partial
- Days to next
- 5 days to Waynesboro (77 mi)
Waynesboro, VA (4.5 mi W, Rockfish Gap)
- Mile
- 865
- Services
- Full groceries, outfitter
- Days to next
- 2 days to Loft Mountain Wayside
Shenandoah waysides (Loft Mtn, Lewis Mtn, Big Meadows, Skyland, Elkwallow)
- Mile
- 894-954
- Services
- Snacks and small resupply; seasonal hours
- Days to next
- 1-2 days between each
Front Royal, VA (4 mi W of US 522)
- Mile
- 973
- Services
- Full groceries, Mountain Trails outfitter
- Days to next
- 3-4 days to Harpers Ferry (54 mi)
Harpers Ferry, WV (on trail)
- Mile
- 1027
- Services
- A few small stores; mail drop suggested
- Days to next
- End of this guide
Packing checklist
What to pack
Water
Shelter
Sleep
Food storage
Cook
Wear
Safety & nav
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Gear spotlights
What we’re recommending
For the water you'll filter
Water filter
Sawyer Squeeze
Virginia's springs and creeks run close together, so you carry little and filter often. The Sawyer Squeeze weighs 3 oz and screws onto common bottles. My review has the flow and the numbers.
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Honest gear advice for backpackers, researched, weighed, and recommended.
Every pick is based on deep research: a synthesis of long-term owner reports, independent reviewer tests, and manufacturer specs, weighted by source independence, specificity, and use-case match. Brooke Wilder is our gear editor, the editorial persona who turns that research into a clear recommendation.