Damascus is a small Virginia town very near the Tennessee and North Carolina borders and just 30-45 minutes from Watauga Lake. Most people see Damascus when they pass through from the east going to Glade Springs and Interstate 81.

But Damascus is a picturesque town in a beautiful mountain setting that is a favorite for hikers, bicyclists and other outdoors enthusiasts. Its population is approximately 1000.

Some call Damascus "Trail Town" because several trails pass through the area including the Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail , the TransAmerica Trail, the Iron Mountain Trail, the Daniel Boone Trail and the Crooked Road Musical Heritage Trail. The area sponsors a Trail Days festival in May of each year. Click here to learn more about Appalachian Trail Days.

The festival includes " music, children's games, an unusual parade, a hikers' talent show, people-watching, bike rides, hikes, workshops, lots of food, and other family-friendly activities... only to name a few. This makes Trail Days one of the most popular small-town events in the State of Virginia!"
~ TrailDays.us (see link below)

According to Damascus.org (see link below) the town was first inhabited by the Shawnee and Cherokee. Daniel Boone came through the area in 1759 while blazing a trail from East Tennessee through Damascus and Abingdon, Virginia into Kentucky.

An early settler, Henry Mock, settled there and built a grist mill. The area became known as Mock's Mill. In 1886 General John Imboden, one of General Lee's officers during the war, came to the area and purchased land to speculate in iron ore. Local iron deposits turned out to be only at the surface and, after considerable timbering of the area, the project was abandoned. Much of the land in the area was acquired by the U.S. Forest Service.

Virginia Creeper Trail

According to the Virginia Creeper Trail website (see link below), after a false start by another company to build a railroad between Abingdon and Damascus, the Virginia Western Coal & Iron Railroad Company started to build the line in the 1890s. It is reported that the Virginia Creeper name was given to the steam locomotives because they had to navigate the mountainous path slowly.

The Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon Virginia thru Damascus Virginia to Whitetop Virginia is 35 miles long. The railroad tracks are gone and the trail is well-maintained and is available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Several companies in Damascus offer bike rentals and transportation to Whitetop mountain. The trail is 18 miles downhill to Damascus and 35 miles to Abingdon. Businesses such as Blue Blaze Bike and the Bike Station offer reasonably priced bike rentals and transportation. See links below.

Damascus is an easy drive from the Watauga Lake area. Take route 67 through the town of Butler to Mountain City. Take 91 north to Damascus. For lodging and camping information see links below.

Damascus Virginia near Watauga Lake Tennessee