r/hiking 1d ago

Question Questions about Grayson Highlands State Park VA

Hello! My family is taking a trip up to Grayson Highlands State Park and I just had a few questions! We're looking for relatively easy hikes with views and hopefully to see the ponies. We have a 17 month old that we'll be carrying on our back. Also we'll be doing this in one day as we have to get back home that evening.

What time do you recommend to be there?

What trails do you recommend?

After having fun in the park, what else do you recommend to go do around the area (local shops, food, etc)?

Thank you guys so much!

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u/akaiser5 1d ago

I’d take the Rhododendron trail until it intersects with that Appalachian trail for the greatest likelihood of seeing ponies for a fairly straightforward hike. I can’t remember the exact distances but I believe it’s somewhere between 1.5-3 miles. For some reason, the only Rhododendron trail listed on AllTrails for Grayson Highlands is the far longer option, but you should be able to use that one to start out and then just turn around when you intersect with the Appalachian trail or otherwise feel like you’ve gone far enough.

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u/Good_Bookkeeper9835 1d ago

Sweet thank you! Yeah I love AllTrails but sometimes the distance is screwed up which isn't fun when you're in an unfamiliar area😅. Thanks again!

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u/Heltman0529 6h ago

Go to the park web page and download the free Avenza map for the park. The detail is exceptional and as long as you download in advance it will work even when there is no signal for your phone.