Grayson Highlands State Park

The mountainous horizon stretches in shades of blue at Grayson Highlands State Park.

Alpine flowers crest a rocky Appalachian overlook in Grayson Highlands State Park.

Hikers begin their ascent of Haw Orchard Mountain in Grayson Highlands State Park.

Located high in the Appalachian Mountains, Grayson Highlands State Park is a rustic oasis for mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and fishing.

The park is adjacent to 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, the highest peak in Virginia. Many areas in the 5,000-acre park are named for early settlers.

The park's ten, foot-wide trails wind through open field and forest, at times becoming quite steep. They open onto expansive views, scenic waterfalls and a 200-year-old pioneer cabin. Wild rhododendrons fill the forest with purple and white blooms in mid-June and wild blueberries abound in August.

The park is a popular with backpackers, who hike through it to reach the Appalachian Trail in the park's northwest corner.

A park campground includes an equestrian area.