Virginia's Beautiful Mountain Town Is A Secluded Gem With Sleepy Shops And Peaceful Silence

Virginia is one of those states that beckons visitors with its mountain charm, where you can relax and breathe fresh air in its Blue Ridge Highlands, home to an underrated town with an award-winning food scene, or in the Appalachian Mountains, that act as an imposing backdrop to a storied town. But there's one unique village in Southwest Virginia that captures your attention with sweeping vistas and outdoor activities. Located about 80 miles from Roanoke and around 23 miles from Bluefield, Bland is an under-the-radar alpine village within Bland County that dazzles with its seasonal magic, sleepy shops, and peaceful silence.

A great way to soak in its beauty — especially during leaf-peeping season — is by taking a road trip along the Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway. Stretching 16.2 miles, the road threads through Bland and Wythe Counties, providing easy access to drivers from Interstates 77 and 81. Driving through this picturesque scenery offers you the chance to admire colorful flowers in spring and summer, such as pink honeysuckle and Olympic Fire mountain laurel, as well as look for snow-blanketed peaks in winter. 

Situated along US Highway 52 between Wytheville & Bland, standing at an elevation of 3,405 feet, is Big Walker Mountain. To enjoy a panoramic view of the region, head to this peak's 100-foot observation tower named Big Water Lookout, which offers views of the natural landscape and the remote areas of the Jefferson National Forest, along with the breathtaking vista of five states over Appalachian peaks. The best way to reach Bland is to drive from nearby cities or to fly into the Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport, which is about a 90-mile drive away from Bland. Washington, D.C., also has a major airport close to town, but the drive takes about 5 hours.

Antique stores, markets, and museums in Bland

Apart from the glorious wilderness, Bland is also home to unmissable antique and vintage shops. Founded in the 1990s, Old Post Mercantile LLC offers an array of collectibles and decor pieces, ranging from accessories and furniture to kitchen table sets. Each object is personally handpicked by the owners, giving an eclectic bazaar experience. Or, if you love horses, pay a visit to Day Dreams, a retail store that offers traditional and contemporary Breyer horse models and animal toys. You can shop for horse riding gear here, too.

The town of Bland also hosts the Bland County Farmers Market. Open on Saturdays, both locals and visitors can browse and shop for locally-grown vegetables and fruits, homemade sweet treats, and plants, as well as a selection of clothing and crafts. But an even more curious and interesting discovery in Bland might be the Bland County Historical Society. Founded in the Old Jail building, the property serves as a hub for preserving the town's heritage and archives, including civic participation and honoring Bland-born residents for their achievements. The society's library also welcomes family history inquiries.

If you want to delve deeper into Bland's past, visit a reconstructed Native American hamlet to understand how people lived 500 years ago. Located a 10-minute drive from Bland, the Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum gives a glimpse into how life was once lived in the region, based on archeological findings discovered in 1970. An indoor museum hosts artifacts and other objects belonging to the Indigenous people. Enjoy guided tours to get a better insight into Bland's history.

Get in touch with nature in Bland's forests

The town of Bland is surrounded by the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. The nature reserve offers a variety of choices between calming and thrilling outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. And when the seasons change? That just adds an extra touch of magic to the landscape. Take the opportunity to walk along the famed Appalachian Trail, which traverses 14 states, stretching along a total of 2,190 miles, 325 of which pass through the state of Virginia. 

If you are into mushroom foraging, the wildlife sanctuary allows visitors to collect mushrooms, nuts, fruits, plants, and fuelwood — and as long as it's in small quantities, you don't need a permit. Authorization is necessary if you wish to collect firewood and rocks. A few things to bear in mind: It's forbidden to collect American ginseng, historic finds, and to cut Christmas trees. Unfortunately, Hurricane Helene destroyed part of the Jefferson National Forest in 2024, and current recovery programs aim to repair the reserve and its infrastructure, with some areas closed for restoration.

Should you be looking for a relaxing, uplifting outdoor experience, camping in the wild can really deliver. Immersed in nature and under a starry sky, you will be surrounded by towering trees and the untamed expanse. The forest offers 48 campsites, from which you can embark on open-air activities, such as wildlife spotting during the warmer months — you may even encounter bears and deer — birdwatching, or marveling at icy waterfalls during winter.

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