Places of Interest to Visit in Wise County

The Guest River Gorge is one of Wise County’s natural wonders. The Guest River plunges through a canyon carved through Stone Mountain as it flows to join the Clinch River. Rails to trails project that follows an old railroad right of way paralleling the Guest River, a Virginia Scenic River. Trout fishing is permitted in the river, as well as kayacking and canoeing.

During the early 1900′s when timber and coal were being hauled out of the remote areas of Dickenson County, this passage was used as a rail line.

The history of the Gorge shows that millions of years ago the Guest River eroded a passage through Stone Mountain on its way to join the Clinch River. Cutting through massive rock, it opened a deep rock corridor that is a scenic wonder. Many other curiosities exist along the six mile trail, including an old railroad tunnel, bridges using the remaining railroad trestles, waterfalls and rock outcroppings.

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Bear Creek Lake and Norton Reservoir

Located in Wise on Wise Mountain road

Stocked with Trout.

There is also Bass, Carp, Catfish, and Bluegill

There is a shelter with tables and bathrooms are available

Children’s Day is held once a year-Fishing, food, and prizes are given.

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Norton Reservoir

Located near Flag Rock Recreation Area

This lake is stocked with Trout
$10,000.00 tagged “Benge” fish contest each year

Norton Reservoir – Fall & Summer

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The Red Fox Trail near Pound, Virginia where a massacre took place.

If you would like to read more about the story of Doc Taylor, “The Red Fox of the Cumberland” and the Massacre of  Pound  Gap, you will find it in Charles A. Johnson’s book,WISE COUNTY VIRGINIA.  You will find it in  the Bookstore on this site or visit Wise County Historical Society Office and Bookstore at the Courthouse in Wise.

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Killing Rock In Pound, VA

Hiking the trail

Taking A Breather

Railroad Station Site

Shortcuts up the Mountain

Drinking from the Stream

Site of Ambush

Pausing for Thought

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Places of Interest to Visit In Wise County

The Inn at Wise

APPALACHIA, VIRGINIA

Appalachia: Food, Churches, Schools, Shops.

Roaring Branch: Near Appalachia, VA

Bee Rock Tunnel-Worlds second shortest railroad tunnell beside the beautiful Powell River

Coal/Railroad Days-August  (event)

Lewis E. Henegar Miners Memorial park: Callahan Avenue in Appalachia – Open Park with old mining machinery

The Peake Building: Main Street, Appalachia, VA (Guinness Book of Records)

101 Presidential Car: Railroad car from the South Carolina & Georgia Railroad, representative of passenger cars from the late 1800′s. Open Tues-Fri, 10am-5pm; May-Oct., Mon-Sat., 10am-5pm; Sun, 1-5pm.

BIG STONE GAP, VIRGINIA

• Big Stone Gap: Hotels-Food-Services, Gifts, Hospitals, schools and Churches
• Appalachian Day- October – Bullitt Park
• Duff Acadamy: Duff Family Private School
• June Tolliver House: Clinton, Avenue – Restored house,Gifts, Area Crafts and
• John Fox Jr.  Museum – East Shawnee Avenue Preserved home of famous author.
• Meador Coal Museum: See how coal was mined here for the last 100 years
• Mountain Empire Community College: mountain crafts, food, music and more (event)
• Dotson Park
• Southwest Virginia Museum-First Street-Exhibits depict heritage of Southwest Virginia.
• “Trail of the Lonesome Pine” Clinton Avenue – Oldest outdoor drama in Virginia
• Home Crafts Day:  October at Mountain Empire Community College

POUND, VIRGINIA

Food, Motels, Churches, Schools

• North Fork Dam and Lake: Fishing,Boating and Recreation
• Indian Creek Flea market: Indian Creek Road near Pound
• Bee Bottom Picnic Area-West on 671
• Philips Creek Picnic Area and Beach: Near Pound, VA (Boating}
• Pound Heritage Days:  May – Crafts, games, food, music and more. (event).
• The Historic Red Fox Trail and Killing Rock
• Music on Thursday nights at the Community Center

ST. PAUL, VIRGINIA

Saint Paul-Food, Churches, Schools, Shopping

• Ox Bow Lake
• Sugar Hill Loop Trail
• Guests River

NORTON,VIRGINIA

Norton: Hotels, Food, Churches, Schools, Shops, Hospitals

• Benges Rock: Ancient Indian prayer site named after the last warrior of any consequence of the Cherokee Nation
• Best Friend Festival : Crafts, food, games, Chili cook-off, much more (event)
• Country Cabin: Bluegrass Music every Saturday night.
• The Dock Boggs Festival and other events
• Flag Rock Overlook and Recreation Area: Legion Park
• Norton Reservoir: fishing and recreation
• Powell Valley Overlook (scenic view)
• VA/KY Opry: Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, Country Music every Saturday night.
• Wise County Chamber of Commerce-765 Park Avenue
• Farmer’s Market

WISE, VIRGINIA

• Wise: Food, Hotels, Shops, Schools, Industrial Park, Shopping Centers
• Bear Creek Lake and Recreation area
• Camp Bethel – Open Memorial Day to Labor Day daily 9am-5pm
• Family History Days
• Lonesome Pine Airport (Hurricane section)
• Historical Colonial Hotel/ Inn at Wise
• University of Virginia at Wise (Formerly Clinch Valley College)
• VA/KY District Fair and Horse show (Now June)
• Wise County Public Library
• Appalachian Artisans-Appalachian Crafts Cultural Arts Center
• Wings Over Wise: An Air show
• Wise’  Famous Fall Fling

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Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Each Year in October, HOME CRAFT’S DAY is held at Mountain Empire Community College where people can bring their crafts to show and sell.

There is Apple butter making, Corn grinding, Wood work of many kinds, and various crafts where people show their magnificent handiwork of the mountains. Lots of Vendors, Music, Food and Fun.

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Highway near MECC

Tents

Apple Peeler’s

Apple Cider

Grinding Corn

Corn Meal

Grind Stone

Work Bench

Work Benches

Bench/old Irons

Fannie Steele & Nina Mullins

Nina Mullins & Wanda Rose

Ganell Marshall and her corn-shuck dolls

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