Grayson Highlands State Park sits near Virginia’s two highest mountains, Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain. As part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, the park offers scenic views of alpine-like peaks.
Grayson Highlands State Park
2024 Price: $7 to $10 per vehicle
Park activities include hiking, bicycle, and horse trails as well as wild ponies, camping, fishing, and bouldering.
Hiking Loop with Ponies
One of my top hopes in visiting was seeing the wild highland ponies, though I knew it was not guaranteed. Ponies were introduced to the park in 1974 to prevent reforestation of the highland balds. I’d heard people often find them along the Rhododendron Trail or Wilburn Ridge, so I planned to hike a collection of hikes that form a 2.3-mile loop.
It was a foggy November morning, and I arrived early in the day. From the Massie Gap parking area, I started on the Rhododendron Trail. It is a moderate difficulty, gravel trail with some steep climbs.
At the half-mile point, I continued on Horse Trail North, part of the 68-mile Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. This is a dirt and rock trail.
Then I turned right on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail (northbound). Here I wandered between bushes and amongst huge boulders. I found dark-eyed juncos, hairy woodpeckers, and tufted titmice. On clear days, there are stunning views. I caught some lovely glimpses, but the fog still lingered.
Next the trail split, and I continued straight to the Appalachian Spur Trail. I was alone on the trail and hadn’t heard anything for a while but a couple birds. I was sure that I would miss the ponies on this visit. But then, a crunching of leaves and sticks on the ridgeline above me! I stopped and stood quietly, waiting to see what came next.
Highland Ponies
Finally, a chestnut pony slowly came down the hill. It stopped just short of the trail in front of me and kept an eye on me while it started snacking. I was giddy with excitement, snapping tons of photos.
The sun also finally made its way out of the clouds. That would have been enough; however, amazingly, two more ponies came down the ridge moments later! One was black and the other was brown and white.
These ponies are used to people so my quiet, slow maneuvering for better shots didn’t phase them.
I had these three to myself for around 30 minutes and it was magical!
Note: Do not feed or touch the ponies for their health and safety.
After dragging myself away from these beauties, the trail moved into a more wooded area.
Finally, the loop finishes near the Backpackers parking lot, and I turned on Horse Trail East to head back toward Massie Gap.
Cabin Creek Trail and Waterfall
After such a wonderful start, I took Horse Trail East over to Cabin Creek Trail. This 1.9-mile moderate-to-strenuous loop offers a waterfall and leisurely creek-side stroll.
The yellow-blazed hike starts on an upper ridgeline through a hardwood forest. It eventually makes its way down and ends at the creek.
There is a small cascade here that some believe is the waterfall, but it is actually farther uphill to the right. I climbed several stone steps and then scrambled around large rocks on the hillside to find views of the 25-foot falls.
In November, the water flow over Cabin Creek Falls was low. Because of this, I preferred the other cascades later in the trail.
After the water, I turned back to the loop point and continued along the creek. This lower trail was longer and more challenging than returning the way I came. There were stone steps and wooden bridges before a long climb up the ridgeline on switchbacks.
Sugarland's Overlook
Shortly after entering the park, there is a small overlook. It has a parking lot, two benches, and fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
More Hikes
Looking for longer hikes? In addition to continuing the Appalachian Trail, the 35-mile Virginia Creeper Trail is 10 miles from the park.