Martinsburg/Berkeley County, WV

Charles Town/Jefferson County, WV

Winchester/Frederick County

Clarke County

Front Royal/Warren County

Shenandoah County

Luray/Page County

Harrisonburg/Rockingham County

Staunton/Augusta County

Highland County

Lexington, Buena Vista/Rockbridge

Bath County

Alleghany County

Fincastle/Botetourt County

Roanoke, Salem/Roanoke County

Bath County, Virginia

If you’re feeling the need for peace and quiet, head west to Bath County. The area’s name comes from all the thermal springs that bubble to the surface here, regarded as healing waters over the centuries.

“The views are magnificent—the valleys so beautiful, the scenery so peaceful.” Gen. Robert E. Lee’s words, penned in 1861, are still true. Guarded by the rugged Allegheny Mountains, the county now offers, along with its beauty, a full range of outdoor recreational opportunities. It is 89% woodland, with clean mountain streams for bass and trout fishing. The county falls in the Warm Springs Ranger District, whose oversight includes the Jackson River, Back Creek, Lake Moomaw, and the Bolar Mountain Recreation Area. For hiking, biking, and outdoor enjoyment, the George Washington National Forest and the Nature Conservancy’s Warm Springs Preserve excel. Nearby Douthat State Park is great for a summertime visit, with a fine lake and sandy shores.

You can choose from a wide selection of local accommodations. There are no chain hotels, but plenty of B&B’s, rental cottages, homes, and cabins, in flavors from Victorian to rustic.

Nearby Garth Newel Music Center offers fine music throughout the year, from intimate indoor concerts to great outdoor festivals in the warm summer months. And the small towns of Bath County—Hot Springs, Warm Springs, and Millboro—are rich in the visual arts as well, with a number of excellent galleries to browse. Stop by the Bath County Chamber of Commerce in Hot Springs for more information.

It isn’t easy to get to Bath County. You’ll be singing “Over the river and through the woods...” many times before you arrive. You can take Rte. 39 west from Lexington, or take I-64 west to US 220 north. Alternatively, take US 250 west from Staunton to US 220 south. The roads are mountainous and can be quite icy in the winter. But, the long drive is worth every second!

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