2025's 10 Most Scenic Virginia Towns
Virginia is a true paradise, one that leaves lasting impressions, especially with its scenery. With a varying landscape made up of features like the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, and the Atlantic Coast, almost every part of this state is naturally beautiful. While driving scenic byways like the Blue Ridge Parkway through the state is one great way to soak in all that beauty, these towns are worth visiting individually as they offer many more pleasures.
From Covington to Luray, these towns sit at the heart of the state’s signature natural features, where they radiate breathtaking scenery and present long lists of outdoor adventures. In addition to hiking trails, which they all have, some of these towns host the country’s rarest endowments, such as caverns with interesting formations formed millions of years ago. Some others feature vineyards with jaw-dropping views, while one is home to a refuge where ponies and hundreds of birds can be seen year-round. Without further ado, get a good camera and visit these scenic towns in Virginia in 2025, where natural beauty combines with culture, history, and recreation to forge unforgettable memories.
Floyd
Floyd is a small town atop the Blue Ridge Plateau that exudes countryside charms. Nature lovers will particularly love this town for hosting the Rocky Knob Recreation Area, a famous stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Covering a 4,500-acre area, this park is a great place from which to explore the region’s natural beauty as it features 15 miles of hiking trails and dozens of campsites and picnic sites. The Rocky Castle Gorge Trail, one of the park’s top trails, takes travelers on a 10-mile trek through trees, rocks, wildflowers, and overlooks with unobstructed views of the scenic countryside.
Around 10 miles from town, the Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve is another exciting place to soak in the region’s natural beauty. This area boasts rare plants such as bog bluegrass and has a half-mile hiking trail leading to panoramic views from the 3,960-foot summit of Buffalo Mountain. Besides hiking, visitors to Floyd can soak in the area’s scenery by kayaking on the Little River, and there are many outfitters in town to make this experience seamless.
Damascus
Damascus is one of the most beautiful towns in Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains, where travelers will be greeted with sights of forests, mountains, and creeks. Hikers and bikers, especially, would love it here as several trails meet in the town, including the Virginia Creeper Trail and the Iron Mountain Trail. The Virginia Creeper Trail is particularly exciting as it invites bikers on a smooth adventure through gorgeous mountain views, forests, and streams for over 17 miles to Whitetop. Iron Mountain Trail is equally a delight, especially for hikers, as it stretches through oak forest and rocky terrain for around 20 miles.
Both trails are in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, where nearly a dozen campgrounds, large rock formations, wildlife, and trout-filled streams offer more pleasures. Notably, Damascus is also one of the most famous towns directly on the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail that stretches between Georgia’s Springer Mountain and Mount Katahdin in Maine. And for those who love fishing, the town is minutes from Beaverdam Creek and Whitetop Laurel Creek, both ideal for small stream trout fishing.
Front Royal
Front Royal is a charming town in the Shenandoah Valley, flanked by the Blue Ridge Mountains and Massanutten Range. The North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River meet in town as well, further making the area absolutely gorgeous and full of adventures. Nicknamed the Canoe Capital of Virginia, Front Royal is an amazing place to enjoy paddling or tubing, as the river is calm and suitable for even beginners. Even more exciting, the town is one of the closest to Shenandoah National Park, where jaw-dropping views and recreational pursuits are abundant.
From town, travelers can easily get on the Skyline Drive for a memorable 105-mile ride through the park, with views of trees, flowers, valleys, mountains, and wildlife such as deer and black bears. While on the ride, stops can be made for additional adventures like hiking the Stony Man Trail to the park’s second-tallest mountain.
Notably, Front Royal is home to Skyline Caverns, where visitors can see interesting formations, including the rare anthodites, which are needle-like crystals made of mineral argonite. And as far as natural beauty is concerned, the Glen Manor Vineyards cannot be left out of a visit to Front Royal. This establishment is picturesque as the Blue Ridge Mountains surround it, while it features flourishing vine farms and wine tasting tours.
Big Stone Gap
Big Stone Gap is one of Virginia’s charming towns, where mountains combine with lush forests to create awe-inspiring scenery. The town is located in the Appalachian Mountains and invites visitors to soak in one of Virginia’s best views from the Powell Valley Scenic Overlook on US Route 23. This overlook offers amazing views of rugged mountains covered in greenery, and cut through by the Powell River. The three-mile Greenbelt Walking and Bicycle Trail is also a great place to soak in the scenery of the area as it winds along the Powell River, offering opportunities to picnic in green areas and see birds. This trail can be accessed from several parts of town, particularly Bullitt Park, which is also just a naturally gorgeous place to hang out and enjoy sports with sights of trees, green fields, and mountains.
The Roaring Branch Trail invites hikers on an eight-mile trek through the Jefferson National Forest that surrounds Big Stone Gap. The trail features beautiful waterfalls, wild flowers, ancient trees, lots of birds, and stunning views of Powell River Valley from the High Butte Overlook.
Woodstock
Woodstock screams of history, being one of the first towns west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and one of the oldest in Virginia, established in 1761. However, the town’s scenic charms often overshadow its rich history. Located in the Shenandoah Valley, visitors here will forget everything else when soaking in the views of the entire area from the Woodstock Tower. This 2,000-feet-tall tower, reached via a short hike, offers unobstructed views of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and Fort Valley.
Around two miles from Woodstock, the Seven Bends State Park awaits to further introduce travelers to the area’s natural treasures. This park has a portion of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, where activities like fishing and kayaking can be enjoyed. It also includes around eight miles of hiking trails, winding through the Massanutten Mountain and along the river. Meanwhile, at the Muse Vineyards, towering mountains and meticulously landscaped farms make every wine sip and food bite so delicious that it can be hard to leave the area.
Chincoteague
Chincoteague is a town that occupies its namesake island and opens up the portal to one of the state's most fascinating nature reserves - the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on nearby Assateague Island. Although famous for its large herd of wild ponies, this 14,000-acre refuge is endowed with dunes, marshes, and a maritime forest full of wildlife such as bald eagles and Delmarva fox squirrel. The refuge also includes 15 miles of trails and a pristine beach, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and picnicking.
Moreover, Chincoteague is surrounded by waters, setting the stage for fishing and boating. Visitors will find boat ramps at the Veterans Memorial Park and Robert Reed Waterfront Park, both of which also have fishing piers. As a town on the Atlantic Flyway, Chincoteague is an amazing place to witness birds in their hundreds, especially in spring and fall when they migrate. Over 300 species have been recorded at the nearby refuge, and some regulars include gulls, terns, and songbirds.
Abindgon
Abindgon is a small town in the Blue Ridge Highlands of the Appalachian Mountains, where it is surrounded by impressive natural scenery. Just walking through the streets of this town is a refreshing experience, as it is full of beautiful trees and green areas. Moreover, the town is on one end of the Virginia Creeper Trail, which offers a 34-mile biking adventure through the region’s forests, fields, farmlands, and creeks ideal for fishing.
From this trail, travelers can easily explore the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, where creeks, campgrounds, and 500 miles of trails, including a 70-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail, offer more ways to soak in the region’s scenery. Those who love watersports can always head to the nearby South Holston Lake to boat, paddle, and fish with views of the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest.
Covington
Covington is a quaint town on the Jackson River in the Alleghany Highlands, with so much natural scenery and outdoor pleasures to offer. For starters, it is around five miles from the Falling Springs Falls, one of Virginia’s most photographed waterfalls, standing at 80 feet tall. Perhaps even more exciting, Covington is in proximity to Lake Moomaw, regarded as one of the clearest lakes in Virginia. This serene lake is a paradise for watersports, and the area around it offers more adventures such as camping, beach relaxation, and hiking.
Notably, the Jackson River Scenic Trail leads right from Covington to the Coles Point Recreation Area at Lake Moomaw, offering a pleasurable journey that ends with rewarding water-based adventures. The trail is 17 miles long and takes hikers and bikers along the river and through lush forests with views of mountains, open fields, and farmlands.
Luray
Luray is one of the more scenic towns in Virginia, full of natural treasures. This town sits in the Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by mountains, and serves as the headquarters of Shenandoah National Park. From Luray, it is easy to ride the Skyline Drive or explore the park’s 500 miles of trails, including the 1.6-mile Stony Man Mountain Trail that leads to some of the area’s best views.
Away from the park, Luray is famous for hosting Luray Caverns, one of the country’s top natural treasures. Formed millions of years ago, this geological wonder is characterized by a large assemblage of stalagmites, stalactites, columns, and cascades. Tours are available year-round to explore the well-lit interior of these caverns, to see the formations, as well as a large, crystal clear water body known as Dream Lake, which reflects the stunning formations.
Meanwhile, hiking the Luray-Hawksbill Greenway is always a pleasant experience. This trail is only two miles long, but takes hikers along Hawksbill Creek and through lush forest areas where birds, butterflies, and other wildlife can be seen.
Cape Charles
Cape Charles is a delightful small town that punches above its weight when it comes to tourism. Home to only around 1,000 souls, this town on the Chesapeake Bay will leave a lasting impression with its coastal scenery and recreational opportunities. It hosts the only public beach on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where travelers can enjoy oceanside relaxation for free.
Near the beach, the Cape Charles Fishing Pier presents endless opportunities for fishing. A few miles from this part of town lies Kiptopeke State Park, where five miles of trails, campsites, and several boat ramps on Chesapeake Bay offer opportunities to soak in the area’s coastal splendor. Notably, this park is a major flyway for migratory birds, which also means year-round sightings of birds, such as raptors and songbirds.
Despite Virginia’s rich history as one of the original Thirteen Colonies, its natural beauty always shines brighter, and the reasons are not far-fetched. This state is endowed with nearly everything from forest-covered mountains and pristine lakes to coastlines and caverns. In large cities like Virginia Beach and Arlington, only a small bit of this beauty can be enjoyed, courtesy of huge crowds and high-rise buildings.
In these towns, the scenery of Virginia can be witnessed unobstructed. Plus, each town has attractions, offering more ways to soak in the state’s natural splendor. For instance, while one can simply walk through the streets of a town like Abingdon and soak in the gorgeous sights of trees, there is more scenery and thrills on the Virginia Creeper Trail. But whether the preferred goal is to relax and enjoy the views from a hotel or engage in nonstop adventures, these towns will surely leave lasting memories.
