Notes from the host
4/3 Home Near Grayson Highlands Park In the mountains
Foxfire Ridge Retreat awaits you in the picturesque mountains of Grayson County, Virginia. Featuring two king suites, it’s ideal for two families traveling together. Our space accommodates 8 sleepers in beds, but sleeps 3 more with the use of fold out sleeper sofas.
What You Will Love About the Area:
Outdoor recreation is at your fingertips when you stay at Foxfire Ridge Retreat.
We are located just 12 miles from Grayson Highlands State Park, a truly remarkable destination. With over 4,500 acres of high-country glory, this park offers birds-eye views from peaks over 5,000 feet in elevation. Trails of all kinds and ability levels crisscross the mountaintop. A unique variety of landscapes exist at the park. It's a stunning combination of old growth forest and high open mountain meadowland. The "balds" remain unforested meadows with the help of our famous feral pony population as well as majestic free range longhorn cattle. The geology of the park draws bouldering enthusiasts from all over. Tremendous boulders of varying shapes, heights and challenge levels dot the landscape like sprinkles on a cake. I am not a part of the bouldering community, but I can attest to the boulders' function as a perfect receptacle for a child's imagination and sense of adventure. Local children have spent idyllic days climbing on, scrambling over, tunneling beneath, and jumping off of these boulders through the long, lovely history of Grayson Highlands Park.
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a scenic bike trail that follows the old Virginia Creeper Steam Engine rail line. The trail is wide, comfortable and well maintained. Its path hugs Whitetop Laurel, a deep mountain creek that cascades its way from Creek Junction into Damascus. It's a stunning display of the beauty of our area. You can bring your own bikes, or simply rent a bike in Damascus. Your guide will drive you up to Whitetop Station where you can make the gentle, picturesque 17 mile bike ride back downhill to Damascus. (Don't be intimidated by the distance. The gentle downhill grade makes pedaling nearly unnecessary.) The trip takes a normal cyclist 3-4 hours, but we always pack lunch, fishing poles and swim clothes and make a whole day of it. Pro Tip: If you go in the summer, wear quick-dry clothes and put a towel in your backpack because there are endless opportunities to take a polar dip in the frigid creek.
The New River is another of Grayson County’s natural treasures. Think of the long leisurely days of canoeing, fishing, kayaking, swimming or tubing that lay just beyond your reservation. Visit New Rive State Park or bike the New River Trail. Equipment rentals and guided river adventures of all kinds are available through local outfitters. Go to Grayson County Virginia's tourism site to download the New River App. You can use it to calculate float times and get pertinent information about the section of river you will be floating; it will factor flow rate, water levels, weather conditions, vessel type and more! Our boat ramps have recently been equipped with wifi so you can easily stay connected and safe when you're heading out on the water.
Our area offers a myriad of excellent angling opportunities, but the wild trout and smallmouth bass fishing are outstanding. The well-known South Fork of the Holston River is less than 30 minutes away. The aforementioned New River is a nationally renowned smallmouth bass fishery. The local mountain streams, teeming with native Brookies and wild brown and rainbow trout, are too numerous to name here.
The nearby Mount Rogers National Recreation area has something for every outdoor adventurer. The area is comprised of 200,000 acres of National Forest land near Mount Rogers, the highest peak in the state.
The ubiquitous Appalachian Trail snakes its way thorough our area. Enjoy a day as an AT adventurer with a day hike, then retire to the comfort of deep mattresses, soft pillows and hot showers.
The cabin is about 30 minutes away from Hungry Mother State Park. A network of hiking/mountain biking trails wrap around and branch off around the lake. You can rent canoes, kayaks, pontoon bikes, and paddle boats at the boat house in the summer. There is a well maintained beach. The sand is well maintained, there is a little snack bar. Plenty of sunny and shade. It’s such a nice place to take kids.
Just 1/8 mile from Foxfire Ridge Retreat you will find Sarah’s, a historic country general store converted into a restaurant known for its casual setting, upscale menu, and famous smoked barbeque. (Sarah closes for the winter months and is open Thursday through Saturday spring through fall.)
Just three miles further you’ll find the all-American cheeseburger at the Corner Market and Café. Troy, Jane and family run the quintessential small-town diner. Affordable prices and a welcoming family atmosphere make this a great place to fuel a crowd. The Corner Market is a great place for a jumbo cheeseburger, a big country breakfast or a specialty coffee. The Corner Market is a true community hub, it's where the locals work, meet and eat.
Foxfire Ridge Retreat is within thirty minutes to an hour’s drive of some of the most charming mountain towns in the Appalachians. Take your pick of phenomenal day trips to West Jefferson, NC, Boone, NC (Grandfather Mountain), Blowing Rock, NC or Abingdon VA.
Many guests branch out even further. The Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area is 2 hours and 15 away. The NC Zoo, the world's largest natural habitat zoo, is 3 hours away.
What You Will Love About the Cabin:
We take care to provide clean, comfortable bedding. Supportive mattresses generously piled with Pacific Coast down pillows ensure you wake up well rested and ready to tackle any outdoor adventure. All linens, including mattress covers, coverlets, shams, and throw pillow covers are washed before you check in. We use a fragrance and dye free detergent so guests with respiratory or skin sensitives can rest safely. At Foxfire Ridge Retreat, you will sleep peacefully in clean, comfortable, hypoallergenic bedding.
The kitchen is fully equipped for you to make beautiful meals and the memories that go with them.
Watch the sun rise over the eastern ridge in the morning with a superb cup of coffee from the Capresso 465 CoffeeTeam coffeemaker. The built-in conical bur grinder perfectly measures and grinds your coffee. If you’re not a coffee drinker, you can use our Electric Tea Kettle to achieve the perfect temperature for brewing your favorite tea. The two covered decks that run the length of the cabin offer a great view with space for outdoor dining or just good old-fashioned porch sitting and coffee-sipping.
Our cabin is carefully appointed for a stress free get away. At Foxfire Ridge Retreat all bedding linens are provided as are towels/wash cloths/hand towels. Toilet paper, 2 rolls of paper towels, basic kitchen staples, cleaning supplies, dishwasher detergent, hair dryer, hand soap, dish soap and laundry detergent are among the everyday items you don’t have to worry about packing. We do not provide any personal hygiene items since these are so tied to personal preference. Please pack your own bath soaps, shampoos, etc.
Three full bathrooms ensure that you never have to wait in line to brush your teeth in the morning. Two 50-gallon water heaters provide an abundant supply of hot water. Little touches like styling tool organizers, towel racks and hooks make getting ready at Foxfire Ridge Retreat convenient and comfortable.
The laundry area features an LG Mega Capacity washer and matching dryer.
We provide a Dream on Me 2 in 1 lightweight folding portable side crib for families with infants.
In the evenings, roast marshmallows and relax beside the oversized native stone firepit or play a game of cornhole in the level side-yard. We keep a box of yard games on the back porch.
We have a television in both living areas. Bring your log in information so you can log in to your favorite streaming services.
Foxfire Ridge Retreat is waiting for you in the mountains of Grayson County. Come to do everything our mountains have to offer, or simply come to do nothing at all. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure or just peace and quiet, it’s waiting for you at Foxfire Ridge.
Important Notes to Consider:
*We do not charge a cleaning fee. We provide a meticulously clean space out of our respect and gratitude for you. We value your support our small business and we prepare your space with care.
*Our wifi is good but our cell service is patchy. US Cellular works for us at the cabin, especially when we boost it by turning on the wifi calling feature.
*Please avoid last minute bookings: Our cleaning procedure is extensive and requires an average of 16 hours labor. I need at least two days notice before you arrive.
*Avoid Same Day Turnovers when you schedule your stay: For the same reason, please don't schedule to arrive on a day when another guest is checking out. It is fine to checkin the day after another guest departs.
*Pets: Though I sincerely appreciate and welcome fur guests, I have found, through difficult experience, that pets place a significant strain on my home, so I maintain careful protective boundaries. My cabin is my life’s biggest financial investment. More importantly, it is dearly loved family heirloom. I respectfully request compensation for the added stress pets pose. ($250 pet fee. Admittedly hefty, but a bargain compared to a boarding facility and so much safer and happier for you fur love. No pets in beds. Pets should arrive groomed and updated on tick and flea meds.)
Hosted by Michelle Stamper