How to Hike to Mount Rogers at the Highest Point in Virginia

Mount Rogers is the highest point in Virginia at 5,729 feet above sea level. It’s the 19th-highest point in America and the 3rd-highest in the southeast after Mount Mitchell and Clingmans Dome. But unlike other highest points, visitors can’t drive to Mount Rogers’ summit.

You must hike to Mount Rogers to see the highest point in Virginia. And it’s one of the most beautiful hikes in the state.

One of the appeals of Mount Rogers is the remoteness. Like Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern United States, Mount Rogers is so far removed from urban developments that you can’t see a single home from the mountain.

However, there is one caveat about summiting Mount Rogers that I must warn everyone about now: there is no spectacular view from the top. You can’t see anything other than the trees. Mount Rogers is one of the few high points in a state without an observation tower. All you can see is the USGS medallion marking the highest point and hundreds of moss-covered trees.

Despite the lack of view, summiting Mount Rogers has been one of my favorite adventures. This travel guide will help you get to a trailhead, be prepared for the hike, and leave you eagerly anticipating the highest point in Virginia.

Map of Mount Rogers

How to use this map | Click the icon in the top-left corner to open the Map Legend, then click on any of the legend items to display more information. If you have a Google account, click the (very faint) star at the end of the map’s name to save this map to your account, then access the map from your smartphone during your trip.

Why Trust What I Write

I was ten years old the first time I tried reaching the summit of Mount Rogers. Of course, I wasn’t alone – I was hiking with my parents and two younger siblings. We didn’t reach the summit that year or any subsequent year. It was an unaccomplished family goal.

I was 29 years old the first time I reached the summit. It was an incredible adventure that I’ll never forget. But at this point, my parents will never be able to make the journey, and my siblings have less than no interest.

I’ll always be the only person in the family to make it there.

I’m the perfect person to write about hiking to Mount Rogers because I have a long history with Virginia’s highest peak. I’ve hiked two of the three routes to the summit, spent nights camped nearby on the Appalachian Trail, and visited the summit four times. And I have all the best tips, including avoiding getting caught on an open ridge during a summer thunderstorm.

How to Get There

Mount Rogers is effectively far removed from modern urban life. It’s about 20 miles from Interstate 81 and 50 miles from Interstate 77. It’s less than a mile off U.S. Highway 58, the 508-mile route that crosses Virginia’s southern border from the mountains to the sea.

The best way to reach Mount Rogers is to take U.S. Highway 58 from Abingdon, Virginia.

This charming small town capitalizes on outdoor recreation. You’ll find plenty of shops for outdoor supplies and a visitor center for local information. This is the best place to stay after summiting Mount Rogers – especially if you want to be pampered after roughing it in the wild.

The route in red in the map above shows this suggested driving route.

• Take Exit 19 on Interstate 81, the northernmost exit for Abingdon
• Turn onto U.S. Highway 58 toward Damascus
• The 13-mile drive takes 20 minutes to the town that’s host of the annual Trail Days Festival and bicycle riding on the Virginia Creeper Trail
• Previously, drivers could continue along U.S. Highway 58. But Hurricane Helene damaged portions of the winding, two-lane road through the mountains. There is now a detour.
• Take VA Highway 91/Mountain City Road, turn onto Taylor Valley Road, and finally turn onto Chestnut Mountain Road. These winding two-lane roads are remote but well-maintained. This route returns to U.S. Highway 58 near Green Cove Station.
• Continue along U.S. Highway 58 to Grayson Highlands State Park. This 36.8-mile route takes about 60 minutes.
• Turn onto Whitetop Road from U.S. Highway 58 to Elk Garden. This 28.5-mile route takes about 50 minutes.
• Continue along Whitetop Road to Laurel Valley Road, then to the parking lot at the Mount Rogers Trail. This 38.5-mile route takes about 70 minutes.

There are three alternate routes for getting to Mount Rogers. Each of these routes has pros and cons depending on your travel situation. The dark gray routes on the map above show these alternate routes.

• Chilhowie – There is little to see or do in Chilhowie, no access to supplies, and no place to stay before or after your trip to Mount Rogers. Take Exit 35 on Interstate 81 and turn onto Whitetop Road. This route takes about 20-30 minutes to drive to the different trailheads.
• Marion – Main Street has several dining options, and the General Francis Marion Hotel is a charming boutique hotel for spending a night or two. Take Exit 45 on Interstate 81 and turn onto VA Highway 16 toward Sugar Grove. This route takes about 30-45 minutes.
• Galax – A few good hotels at the interstate offer a place to stay, and there are a few restaurants in downtown Galax. Take Exit 14 on Interstate 77 and turn onto U.S. Highway 58. This route takes about 70-80 minutes.

Best Time to Visit

I was only two miles from the Thomas Knob Shelter near Mount Rogers on the Appalachian Trail when I heard the first thunderboom. In less than twenty minutes, I was engulfed in a deluge. My choices were to either hunker down in a forest or hike along an open ridge surrounded by lightning to reach the shelter. By the time I reached the shelter, the summer thunderstorm had passed.

I learned an important lesson about hiking to Mount Rogers: don’t do it in the summer.

There are three important factors to consider when choosing when to hike to Mount Rogers:

• Temperature – Virginia’s highest point is almost 3,000 feet higher than nearby Abingdon. That means the temperature on Mount Rogers will be about 12 degrees cooler. It never gets hot on Mount Rogers, but it can be very cold.
• Rain – The summer months are very wet with thunderstorms developing quickly, especially in the afternoons. The nearest shelter to Mount Rogers is Thomas Knob about 0.7 miles from the summit.
• Crowds – Mount Rogers and the Appalachian Trail in this area are rarely crowded. However, the campgrounds are typically full on weekends and holidays throughout the summer.

With these factors in mind, here are the best and worst times to visit the highest point in Virginia at Mount Rogers.

Best Times

• August and September are the best times to visit Mount Rogers. The daily highs reach the upper 60s to lower 70s while overnight lows remain near the 50s. Rainfall is less frequent after the soggy summer months. And there are fewer overnighters in the campgrounds.
• October is a good time for day hikers to visit Mount Rogers. The daytime highs only reach the upper 50s, and overnight lows dip into the 30s. It’s the driest month of the year, so you can leave the rain jacket at home. Campgrounds tend to book up on the weekends during the peak of fall colors.

Worst Times

• May, June, and July are the worst months of the year to hike to Mount Rogers. May and July are the wettest months with an average of 3.4 inches of rain each month. Although the temperatures are comfortable, soggy feet are not. Northbound Appalachian Trail thruhikers will get priority access to the shelter in May.

Jefferson National Forest

Jefferson National Forest was established in 1936 after combining the defunct Unaka National Forest with portions of the George Washington National Forest. The national forest spans throughout Southwest Virginia from Big Stone Gap to Lexington.

Since 1995, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have operated jointly. The incredible 1.8-million-acre national forest includes some of America’s most beautiful scenic highways and outdoor recreation, like the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail, and Grayson Highlands State Park.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area was established in 1966, surrounding Mount Rogers. It’s part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. And it’s one of the best places in Virginia for outdoor recreation.

• A 78-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail passes through the recreation area between Damascus and Marion
• A spur trail leads to the highest point in Virginia at Mount Rogers
• The 35-mile Virginia Creeper Trail is a rail trail between Green Cove Station and Abingdon
• The Mount Rogers Scenic Byway is a 65-mile scenic highway between Marion and Abingdon
• Several campgrounds, including Grindstone Campground near the Mount Rogers Trail

When I think about my deep connection to the outdoors, my passion for chasing waterfalls, and my longing for scenic road trips, it all comes back to my roots: I grew up in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

The Pat Jennings Visitor Center on VA Highway 16 near Marion is an excellent place to get information about the local conditions, buy hiking maps, and book a site at the national forest campgrounds.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Grayson Highlands State Park is my favorite state park in the country. I may change my mind one day, but not at the time I’m writing this.

Established in 1965, the 4,500-acre state park features dozens of hiking trails, horseback riding, historic structures, scenic overlooks, and a 2.8-mile section of the Appalachian Trail. It’s a popular place for day hiking on the AT and, of course, hiking to the highest point in Virginia.

I grew up visiting the state park every other weekend throughout the summer. My parents were teachers, so we always had ample time in June, July, and August for family outings. Although my mom screaming, “Up and at ’em,” at 7 a.m. was annoying, we always had a good time in the state park.

Highest Point in Virginia at Mount Rogers

Mount Rogers is the highest point in Virginia at 5,279 feet above sea level. But unlike other high points, like Mount Mitchell and Clingmans Dome, the only way to see Mount Rogers is by hiking. This makes Mount Rogers off-limits for some and challenging for others.

The mountain was named after William Barton Rogers, Virginia’s first state geologist. It’s home to a magnificent spruce-fir forest in a unique ecosystem typically found above 6,000 feet in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Unlike other high points, like Mount Mitchell and Clingmans Dome, there is no observation desk on the summit of Mount Rogers. I was shocked the first time I reached the summit and found only towering trees and a USGS medallion secured to a large boulder.

Be warned now: there are no spectacular, panorama views from the summit. Only a sense of achievement for reaching the highest point in Virginia.

Read More: Reaching the Summit of Whitetop Mountain – the Second Highest Mountain in Virginia

There are three ways to hike to Mount Rogers:

• Appalachian Trail from Grayson Highlands State Park – This is the most popular option because visitors can safely park their car. The campground is a great place to stay. The hike through Massie’s Gap and across Wilburn Ridge is one of the most beautiful hikes in Virginia.
• Appalachian Trail from Elk Garden – This is a popular day hike route from an unsecured parking lot along Whitetop Road.
• Mount Rogers Trail – This trail begins at a small parking lot near Grindstone Campground in Jefferson National Forest. It’s the least-traveled route to Mount Rogers and great if you’re staying at the national forest campground.

Continue reading below for details about each hiking route.

Things to Know About Hiking to Mount Rogers

Hiking to Mount Rogers is relatively easy. It’s less than a 9-mile round-trip hike that avid day hikers and backpackers can finish before sunset.

But just in case you want to spend the night on the trail, there are a few important things to know.

• Visitors to Grayson Highlands State Park must pay an admission fee
• Overnight backpackers must park in a specified overnight lot and pay an additional fee
• There are no fees for parking at Elk Garden or the Mount Rogers Trail parking lot
• The infamous Appalachian Trail wild ponies are typically found just outside the gate of Grayson Highlands State Park on the Appalachian Trail
• Camping inside Grayson Highlands State Park is only permitted at the campground – everyone else must exit the park on the Appalachian Trail before settling in for the night
• The Thomas Knob Shelter is an excellent place to stay with a privy, access to water, and only 0.7 miles from the summit of Mount Rogers
• Thruhikers have priority access to the Thomas Knob Shelter
• There are no panoramic scenic views from the summit of Mount Rogers
• Proof of visiting Mount Rogers is a photo of the USGS medallion marking the mountain’s summit
• Do not feed the wild ponies, no matter how much they “beg” for a morsel
• The air temperature on Mount Rogers is typically 3 degrees cooler than that of Grayson Highlands State Park and 10 degrees cooler than that of the surrounding towns
• The best places for information about current conditions are the Pat Jennings Visitor Center, the Grayson Highlands State Park Visitor Center, and the Abingdon Visitor Center

No. 1

Grayson Highlands State Park via the Appalachian Trail

My dad parked the family car at the Massie Gap Parking Lot every summer for six years. My parents, brother, sister, and I exited the car and began the journey to Mount Rogers. We got closer to the summit each year, but never reached the top. The closest we ever got was the Thomas Knob Shelter.

In 2009, I became the only member of the family to ever reach the summit of Mount Rogers.

The most popular hiking route to Mount Rogers is the 4.3-mile one-way trail from Grayson Highlands State Park. After the short 0.5-mile Massie Gap Trail, hikers finish the journey on the Appalachian Trail.

After hiking about 0.5 miles on the Appalachian Trail, hikers must pass through a rustic wooden gate at the state park’s boundary. The fence keeps the infamous wild ponies in the Lewis Fork Wilderness away from the bountiful food in the park’s campground.

My favorite part of this trail is after passing through the gate. The trail crosses Wilburn Ridge, an elevated level area between two peaks. I’ve always eaten my lunch sitting somewhere on this ridge and enjoyed the spectacular views. Ironically, the views from Wilburn Ridge are better than those from Mount Rogers.

Wilburn Ridge is the first place where you’ll see Mount Rogers on this trail.

READ MORE: How to See the Wild Ponies at Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia

After crossing Wilburn Ridge, the Appalachian Trail passes through a dense forest. There are several heartbreaking campsites located off the trail here. The campsites are heartbreaking because eventually everyone must leave.

Hikers will reach the Thomas Knob Shelter about 3 miles from the Massie Gap Parking Lot. This is one of the best shelters on the Appalachian Trail. The three-sided lean-to has enough room for a dozen people to comfortably sleep.

Please remember that Appalachian Trail thruhikers have priority access to the shelter when they typically pass through in May. This is because many thru-hikers don’t carry a tent – they rely on the shelters for overnight protection.

The shelter features a privy – a rarity on the Appalachian Trail – and a water source nearby.

Shortly after passing the Thomas Knob Shelter, the Mount Rogers Spur Trail leaves the Appalachian Trail. It’s another 0.5-mile hike to the mountain’s summit. The air temperature drops a few degrees when you enter the spruce-fir forest. The dark brown trees are typically wrapped in a vibrant green moss. I couldn’t help but stop every twenty steps to capture another photo.

After reaching the summit, look for a large boulder with a flat top. The United States Geological Survey medallion marking the highest point in the state is cemented into the boulder’s top. Besides moss-covered spruce-fir trees, the medallion is the only proof you’ll have of the achievement!

The 8.6-mile round-trip hike has a gentle 1,500-foot elevation change from the Massie Gap Parking Lot to Mount Rogers. You can bypass some of that climbing by taking an alternate route around Wilburn Ridge. The hike takes about 4-6 hours to complete.

No. 2

Elk Garden via the Appalachian Trail

Elk Garden is a gap between Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain along Whitetop Road. It’s a popular place for day hikers and overnight backpackers who want to summit Virginia’s two highest peaks. The parking lot is unattended but safe for one or two nights.

The 4.45-mile one-way hike on the Appalachian Trail begins on a bald ridge before entering a dense forest. Unlike the hike from Grayson Highlands State Park, you’ll never see Mount Rogers from any point on this trail. The bald ridge is a perfect place for camping before or after reaching the mountain’s summit.

The Appalachian Trail intersects the Mount Rogers Trail on the west side of Mount Rogers. The trail wraps around the mountain’s southern face, eventually turning north toward the Thomas Knob Shelter.

This is where I was caught in a summer thunderstorm. I was about a mile from the Thomas Knob Shelter when I heard the first thunderboom through the dense forest. I kept hiking, thinking it was better to reach the shelter than hunker down in a forest.

After leaving the forest behind, I hiked along an exposed ridge while lightning flashed around me. The Appalachian Trail was about a foot deep from years of foot traffic, and the rut had filled with water. Still, I continued the hike and reached the shelter. The rain stopped a few minutes later.

Shortly before reaching the Thomas Knob Shelter, the Mount Rogers Spur Trail turns left and leads to the mountain’s summit. Click here to read about the final leg of the trip to the summit on the trail summary above.

The 8.9-mile round-trip hike has a greater elevation change than the trail from Grayson Highlands State Park, with about a 1,700-foot elevation change. It takes about 8-10 hours for the complete hike to the summit and back to the parking lot.

No. 3

Mount Rogers Trail

The Mount Rogers Trail is the longest and toughest route to the summit. That’s why most people avoid the trail, but those who hike it love the challenge.

You could easily miss the small parking area on Laurel Valley Road at the trailhead. The parking area is hidden behind thick underbrush. But you’ll see a sign for the Mount Rogers Trail, letting you know the parking lot is nearby.

Alternatively, you could park or stay at Grindstone Campground, about 1/4 mile away. There is no official spur trail connecting to the Mount Rogers Trail, so you’ll either need to walk along the two-lane road or head off into the woods, as many people do.

The 12.6-mile trail sets a challenging pace with a near-constant elevation gain from the beginning. It’s never a prohibitively steep climb, just steady all the way. The trail levels out after crossing Elk Ridge, wrapping around Mount Roger’s northern and western faces.

The trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail about 3.9 miles from the trailhead. Click here to continue reading about the hike along the southern face and the spur trail to the summit.

The 12.6-mile round-trip hike takes at least 7 hours, even for avid backpackers. I strongly recommend preparing for spending a night on the Appalachian Trail if you’re hiking this trail. The best place to stay is the Thomas Knob Shelter where you’ll find a privy, access to water, and plenty of places for pitch a tent if the shelter is full.

Where to Stay

I grew up just fifteen minutes from the Appalachian Trail. The first night I ever spent camping on the trail was at the Partnership Shelter near the Pat Jennings Visitor Center in Marion.

But I’ve spent more nights camping on the Appalachian Trail near the Thomas Knob Shelter than anywhere else. It’s one of the most beautiful areas where I’ve ever pitched a tent. And it’s hauntingly quiet.

There are several good places for backpackers to camp along these trails to Mount Rogers. Use the map at the top of this article to reference the locations:

• Campsite #1 – Backpackers are not permitted to camp anywhere inside Grayson Highlands State Park besides the campground. This campsite is just outside the park’s boundary at the base of Wilburn Ridge.
• Campsites #2 and #3 – These are among my favorite campsites anywhere I’ve ever pitched a tent. Fallen trees have been turned into benches, fire rings built from stones, and water access is nearby.
• Campsite #4 – There are a few places around the Thomas Knob Shelter for pitching a tent. The area features a privy and water access.
• Campsite #5 – A small clearing offers a nice place to pitch a tent for the night.
• Campsite #6 – The bald ridge is within sight of the Elk Garden Parking Lot and Whitetop Road. It’s a good place to camp before returning to your car in the morning.

If you’d rather pitch a tent in a campground or use an RV, there are two great camprounds I recommend for this adventure:

• Grayson Highlands State Park – 89 campsites with easy access to water, bathrooms, and a fire ring. About half the sites have electrical and water connections. Several sites include horse stalls.
• Grindstone Campground – This national forest campground has about 80 campsites with electrical and water connections. A stone pool is filled with mountain stream water during the summer.

But camping isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a hotel, bed and breakfast, or boutique hotel after roughing it in the wild, I suggest heading to Abingdon. Here are a few places to stay:

The Martha Washington Inn & Spa is the premiere overnight accommodation in Abingdon. Luxury furnishings in ginormous rooms offer the best in comfort. Guests can take advantage of the complimentary indoor swimming pool and outdoor hot tubs, or book an appointment at the spa.

The Country Inn & Suites is a great place to spend a night or two, especially if you travel with children. Book a room with two full beds or take advantage of the King Suite with king bed and sofa bed. An outdoor swimming pool will offer some soothing relaxation after a long day of hiking.

Comfort Suites is one of the most popular hotels in Abingdon. The hotel features rooms with one or two queen or king beds, but no other special amenities.

My top recommendation for lodging in Abingdon is Fairfield Inn & Suites. This comfortable hotel has rooms with two king beds, but the real treat is the Queen Suite with Mountain View – a room with two full beds and a sleep sofa!

Frequently Asked Questions