Washington County

Anglers of all types enjoy trolling to Washington County on a year-round basis, but from early spring through late summer, the focus is on fly-fishing. Specific sites that are best for fly-fishing fanatics are Big Tumbling Creek, Green Cove, Hidden Valley Lake, Holston River, Taylor’s Valley and Whitetop Laurel Creek. All of these fishing spots are especially ideal for good catches of brook, brown and rainbow trout, and several other species.

Fishing in Washington County is a refreshing outdoor activity that can be good for the soul – and sole. This community has become a popular fishing destination, especially in recent times, not only for residents of southwest Virginia but for people arriving from several other surrounding states. In fact, the popularity and availability of top fishing holes in the county continues to grow in legend as more anglers hear about the opportunities that are available in Washington County.

Creek Junction Accessible Fishing Trail
A narrow gravel road provides visitors access to fishing in Whitetop Laurel Creek, hiking and biking access to the Virginia Creeper Trail, and views from underneath the longest trestle on the Virginia Creeper Trail. An accessible fishing trail has piers constructed over the creek for wheelchair access.

Directions from I-81: Take Exit 17 at Abingdon, Virginia and head East on Highway 58. Go through Damascus and continue on Highway 58 for approximately 9 miles to a sharp right turn off Highway 58 that leads down to the Creek Junction Accessible Parking Area on the Virginia Creeper Trail. Go about 1.5 miles to the parking area down the narrow gravel road.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Located in southwest Virginia, the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (NRA) manages approximately 200,000 acres of National Forest land near Mount Rogers. The area features four Congressionally designated wilderness areas; the Virginia Creeper Trail; the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, which traverses over 50 miles offering views of the National Recreation Area and open rural countryside; the 5000-acre Crest Zone, featuring elevations over 4,000 feet, large rock formations, and a mixture of mountain balds and spruce-fir forests; a herd of wild, free-ranging ponies; and the highest elevated road in the state of Virginia leading to the summit of Whitetop Mountain.

The West End of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area includes the famous Virginia Creeper Trail, outstanding trout fishing in Whitetop Laurel, and picturesque Beartree Lake. The NRA’s largest campground, Beartree, is a great family campground and close to all west end activities. Damascus, the friendliest town on the Appalachian Trail, is a trail hub as four major trails go through the town: Virginia Creeper, Appalachian Trail, Iron Mountain, and Daniel Boone Heritage Trail.