The One Place You Must Go in Southwest Virginia During the Fall

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Virginia offers many ways to witness the gorgeous, colorful, scenery of the autumn season. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a popular attraction for those looking to experience a fall road trip and it is a beautiful drive but it’s not number one on my list. Where I’m going to tell you about isn’t even on the parkway. The place you need to visit in Southwest Virginia in the fall is Big Walker Lookout. Now, it’s not somewhere to go just during the fall season because the location offers spectacular views anytime you visit, but if you only make it there once, then definitely choose to go during the fall.

Big Walker Lookout is a privately owned scenic attraction that opened in 1947, making it the oldest one in Virginia! The elevation there is 3,405 feet and at that height you can see miles and miles of Virginia’s beautiful landscape. In fact, on clear days, you can actually see five states from there!

If you’re looking for an even better view however, Big Walker Lookout also features a 100-foot-tall observation tower that provides a truly breath-taking view of the mountains and valleys. To me, the climb is a bit scary and definitely not for anyone who has a fear of heights but if you can make the climb, don’t pass up the opportunity to see the views from the top of the observation tower!

Back down on the ground, Big Walker Lookout also offers a country store where you can find local, handcrafted items and a small bite to eat. Out on the porch, you may find a local band playing music that the area is known for. What I have found to be one of the most interesting features of the whole place though, besides the view, of course, is the people you meet. 

Several summers ago, my dad and I took a drive up to Big Walker Lookout just to hang out and have some ice cream on the porch. While we were attempting to eat our ice cream before it melted and ran down our hands, we met the sweetest, Irish couple! I immediately fell in love with their accents. I admit, it was hard for me to understand them half of the time but I still would have listened and talked with them all day, if I could have.

The couple were road tripping down the east coast in a rental car and seemed to be having an amazing time! My one regret though, is not getting their information or at least their daughter’s information so I could keep in contact with them or at least let their daughter know that they were fine and having a great time. I just hope they know that meeting them was very special for me!

Another very memorable person that I met at Big Walker Lookout was a man from France (if I remember correctly). My sister, dad, and I pulled into the parking lot of the lookout and saw a large school bus that had been painted grey. I immediately knew it was a converted school bus and because I’ve been sort of obsessed with tiny living for years at this point, I HAD to go see this thing! I’m so glad we did because the man (I cannot remember his name!) was super nice and let us go inside of his bus to check it out. He also wanted us to write or create some sort of art on his bus. We all loved that idea and each of us left our little mark on his bus.

After we had our bus tour with the man from France, we headed inside for a hotdog. While we were eating, the French man approached me and asked if I would help him with some video footage of his bus. Of course, I said yes! I helped him get some footage of him driving his bus down the road among the autumn trees that line the road by the lookout. The video turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself! I did manage to get his information and I still follow him on Instagram. If you’d like, you can also follow him here!

I tell you these two stories to show you that you never know what or who you will find when you get out and explore. I mean, this gem of Southwest Virginia, the Big Walker Lookout, is just a short drive from my hometown and I had never really experienced it until the last few years. So even if you can’t be a world traveler at the moment, be an explorer of your own hometown or where ever you live right now. You may be surprised at what you’ll discover.

Have you ever been to Big Walker Lookout or would like to go there? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

For more information on Big Walker Mountain, check out their site here.

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