Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

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Last updated on March 16, 2023

Grayson Highlands State Park is a wonderful place to visit: the high elevation views, the hiking trails and the ponies are just a few of the options to feed your cravings for outdoor adventure and family fun. But unlike most other Virginia State Parks, Grayson Highlands is in a world of its own. The high elevation that provides stunning views can also cause drastic drops in temperatures and wind gusts. The hiking options are some of the best in the state, but a simple hike can become treacherous if you are not adequately prepared. The ponies are so fun and entertaining for all ages, but visitors want to feed and pet them, and that can harm these adorable creatures. We are here to help prepare you and your family for a great visit that everyone can enjoy.

 

Sunrise at Grayson Highlands

Enjoy the magnificent views, but come prepared for the high elevation.

The views are stunning, no doubt, and we want visitors to enjoy the park and the views, take lots of pictures and make great memories. But we hope you will understand that you must take precautions at Grayson Highlands. Our most popular trails are over 4,000 feet in elevation, our weather can be 15-20 degrees cooler than at the bottom of the mountain, and the winds can be twice the speed. Always come prepared for the weather and expect that it can change suddenly.

"Weather changes on the mountain can be extreme at any time of year. I was hiking in the highlands a few years ago on a beautiful day in August with temperatures in the mid-70s and a clear sky when a thunderstorm suddenly blew in. The temperature dropped 20 degrees in about half an hour, the winds were gusting over 30 miles per hour, and the rain was pouring down. Without the proper gear, conditions like that can lead to early signs of hypothermia in a short period of time, even in the summer months. Although you may not plan to be out on the trails for long, you should be prepared for all types of weather when hiking in the highlands." - Park Manager Marceia Holland  

 

Come prepared for all types of weather when hiking at Grayson Highlands

There are so many hiking options at the park,
but make sure you have the proper gear and supplies

Grayson Highlands is not a contained park; it is surrounded by the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area on three sides and miles of wilderness in pretty much every direction from Massie Gap. The trails within the park are marked and well blazed, but right outside the park, the trails are not. Throughout the high country, ponies like to use signs for scratching posts. Combined with the ground freezing and pushing against the signs every winter, you are left with posts either on the ground or spun around in their holes pointing in the wrong direction. In addition, wild game and the ponies have created their own trails that lead to food for grazing vertebrates, which only confuse and misdirect the bipedal interlopers (humans).

"In late April, we had a search for hikers who, unfortunately, were not prepared to be on the mountain. They lacked appropriate clothing and shoes, did not have a map or cell data for their phone's GPS to work, weren't carrying water or a flashlight, and their cell phone's battery was dying from trying to search for a signal. With wind chills dropping into the 20s after dark, they were lucky we were able to find them quickly and get them off the mountain before they experienced serious injury or illness. We implore all our visitors to come prepared by visiting our website and asking questions." - Park Manager Marceia Holland 

 

Gear needed for any hike

Even if you are only planning for a short hike, you should come prepared
for the unexpected. Photo clockwise from the top left: water bottles,
trash bag, baby wipes, topographical map, First Aid Kit, lighter,
rain jacket, battery pack and cell phone (used for calling 911, a camera,
GPS and flashlight). Center: small backpack and food.

Regardless of the temperature or season, DAY hikers should have:

* An up-to-date weather forecast. In the spring and fall, the air temperature could be 15 or more degrees colder than in Marion, and the wind speeds more than double. So, even though a dip in the lake would feel good when you're at Hungry Mother State Park, you best bundle up for a visit to the mountain. Our mailing address is Mouth of Wilson, but use Whitetop for a much more accurate forecast. Better yet, use the National Weather Service website, where you can get a forecast specifically for the highlands.

* Sturdy hiking boots. The trails have a lot of rock, and it's not uncommon to turn an ankle up here. You don't want to start the day off with a bruised sole or twisted ankle to limp your way through some of the most beautiful vistas in the state.

* Water and some food. Bring enough to keep from getting dehydrated and hungry if you get lost and have to spend the night.

* Rain jacket. Good for both rain and winds, which we have. All the time. A large trash bag can also be a poncho or shelter in a pinch.

* A flashlight. You may not be planning to be out after dark. But it happens. A lot. Partially because people didn't bring….

* A map. The free park map covers trails within the park boundary, which is only a small portion of the high country. We sell topo maps at the park that will cover the entire high country, and several smartphone apps are perfectly adequate. 

* A charged cell phone. We don't have the best cell coverage up here. Don't expect AT&T, T-Mobile or Sprint to work for calls, texts or data. Your phones will continually search for service, which will quickly drain the batteries. If you put your phone on airplane mode, it will limit battery usage. This is important because in case of an emergency situation if you can connect to a tower, even if it doesn't normally allow your provider, 911 will still work. If you are lost, the 911 operator has the ability to ping your phone and triangulate your location. But that only works if your phone is turned on and functioning for long enough to call and send the location information back to 911.

* A leash for your dog. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet at all times to protect your pet from other dogs and wild animals you may encounter. When hiking in areas with high bear activity, we recommend leaving your pets at home.

*  A healthy respect for the ruggedness of the area and the ability for weather conditions to change in a matter of minutes.

What you should not bring:

* Flip flops

* Food for the ponies

* An overabundance of confidence in your ability to safely hike here without research before your trip.

 

CLICK HERE for guidelines, user guides, and helpful information you will need before your trip to Grayson Highlands State Park

 

Stay a healthy distance away from the ponies.

View the ponies from a distance to help keep
the ponies and your family safe.

Hikers on the highlands trails are likely to encounter wild ponies. They were introduced to the park in 1974 to prevent reforestation of the highland balds. The pony herd is managed by the Wilburn Ridge Pony Association. During fall roundups of ponies for an auction held in conjunction with Grayson Highland's annual Fall Festival, association members check the herd for health problems.

Enjoy the beauty of the ponies, but don't hurt them. Feeding the ponies may be fun for you, but it is dangerous for these cuties. Why? Because when you feed the ponies during the warmer months, it makes it difficult for them to forage in the winter months. If they don't forage, they won't have the food they need. Please keep your distance!

Instead of feeding the ponies, you can…

* Take pictures of the ponies from a distance

* Watch how they interact with each other

* Take a hike and see how many ponies you encounter

View this video before you go.

 

And as always we ask that you Leave No Trace

 

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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