Giles County: River Landscapes, Waterfalls and History

In Giles County, the New River, natural attractions and historic sites offer different facets of a trip. You can combine days outdoors with waterfalls, nature watching or activities in the countryside, or focus on historic buildings and the county’s history. If you’re looking for a hotel, first consider which of these themes is most important to your stay.

River Landscapes and Outdoor Activities

Giles County includes 37 miles of the New River Water Trail®. The Greater Newport Rural Historic District is also closely connected to the river’s landscape: its 21,000 acres are shaped by ridges and valley tributaries of the New River. The river and ridgelines are part of the same landscape, while the water trail offers its own route-based way to explore.

Mill Creek Nature Park borders Jefferson National Forest and features four waterfalls and fishing for native trout. In Pembroke, a four-mile out-and-back trail leads to the Cascades, a 69-foot waterfall. Jefferson National Forest covers 92.4 square miles in Giles County; hunting is recommended there.

At Mountain Lake Conservancy, recreational activities include hiking, mountain biking, trail running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, geocaching, a ropes course and wildlife watching. Individual offerings may change. If you’re planning a particular activity, check the details in advance.

A one-hour guided tour to Bald Knob leads to the highest point in Giles County and offers a 180-degree view of the Appalachian Mountains. You can factor the tour’s duration directly into your day’s plans; the four miles to the Cascades, by contrast, describe an out-and-back route. Duration and trail length are different planning considerations.

Historic Districts and Individual Buildings

The Pearisburg Historic District includes 17 buildings and is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The Newport Historic District includes approximately 66 buildings, 53 of which are significant to its historic character. The two districts offer different perspectives on the built heritage: in Pearisburg, the listings on two registers are the focus; in Newport, the approximate number of buildings and the significance of some of them take center stage.

Individual buildings also reflect different historical connections. Walker’s Creek Presbyterian Church was completed in 1898 on Big Walker Creek in western Giles County. It is a well-preserved, one-story church in the Gothic Revival style. The Q.M. Pyne Store is one of the most notable and best-preserved examples of a general store. The Andrew Johnston House serves as a museum honoring the Johnston family and its contribution to the county’s history.

Special tours are led by a local historian and are available by prior arrangement only. The Sinking Creek Covered Bridge welcomes visitors and has a guest book.

Agriculture and Local Cuisine

Doe Creek Farm is a commercial apple-growing and livestock operation established in 1883. In the Village of Eggleston on the banks of the New River, a historic general store has been converted into a contemporary Appalachian restaurant. The two examples point to different local connections: the agricultural use of a farm and the new culinary use of a former store.

Find a Hotel for Your Trip

Make a note of the places that matter to you, then compare them with the address of a specific hotel. This way, you can base your choice on the places that are actually important to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Pearisburg, Narrows, Norfolk, Rich Creek, Galax, Bath, Warren, Manassas.

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