RUSSELL COUNTY
ATTRACTIONS | OUTDOOR RECREATION | DINING | SHOPPING | LODGING | EVENTS
Biking | Canoeing | Clubs | Fishing | Golf | Hiking | Horseback | Wildlife
Russell County - a variety of recreational and cultural activities are available to Russell County residents & visitors. The Clinch
Mountain Wildlife Area in the eastern portion of the county offers excellent opportunities for hunting and trout fishing. Outside this wildlife area there are numerous spots where fresh water sport fishing and small and big game hunting can be enjoyed. Recreational attractions in the area that offer hiking, camping, hunting, swimming, fishing, picnicking and horseback riding include Breaks
Interstate Park, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Hungry Mother State Park, and Natural Tunnel State Park.

Click here for Site Review of Trail Potential

Click here for a Preliminary Overview of Existing & Proposed Trails in Russell County.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
There are over 400 miles of designated trails ranging from primitive single-track to old logging roads and railroad grades. Some are for foot only, others allow horse and/or bicycle use. Use only those trails open to your particular type of travel. Note that trails within wildernesses are always primitive. Any type of motorized or wheeled vehicles (including bicycles and any type of wheeled cart) is prohibited in wilderness, but horses are allowed on designated trails. There are also two small lakes, more than 100 miles of tumbling trout streams (both stocked and native), a 66-mile horse trail, three federal wilderness areas, seven car campgrounds, and Virginia's highest automobile road which permits nonwalkers to savor the spectacular views from Whitetop Mountain. At 5,540 feet, Whitetop is the second highest mountain in Virginia.
Virginia Coal Heritage Trail - winds its way through Russell County.  Provides the self-guided visitor a view of this vital industry.  Has active and worked-out mines of various types: golf course on reclaimed strip mine, coal coking plant, coal preparation plants and coal-hauling railroad.  Passes through communities of Dante, St. Paul, Castlewood to Dungannon. The route is 325 miles and was designated by the Virginia General Assembly in 2007 as an official Virginia Byway.
Heart of the Appalachia Bike Trail
16621 East Riverside Drive, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 762-0011

Scenic 125 mile backroad driving and biking adventure.

Trans-America Bike Route
Rosedale, VA
Intersection of U. S. Hwy. 19 and Rt. 80 (Elk Garden), Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 762-0011

This bike route follows Rt. 80 through Dickenson and Russell Counties. Route 80 can be accessed from Saltville (Smyth County) or at Elk Garden off US Hwy. 19 in Russell County.

Sugar Hill Loop Trail
9416 Darden Drive, Jefferson National Forest
St. Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-7500

Five mile historic nature walk, also offers excellent biking challenge.

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Viewing Trails: Clinch Mountain Loop which includes Laurel Bed Lake, is the second largest and most biologically diverse wildlife management area in Virginia and the St. Paul Loop: There are several species of rare and endangered species resident here, including the magnificent but elusive hellbender. Wetlands, montane and woodland habitats can be found on this loop.
Fincastle/Cumberland Gap Turnpike was established in 1834 by the Virginia General Assembly. The route beings by traveling on Rt. 11 to Rt. 220 North to Fincastle. Turning left on the Scenic Byway Rt. 61 through Bland County, west to Tazewell County, left onto west Route 19/460 through Tazewell County and onto Route 19 through Russell County and the town of Lebanon traveling west to Route 71. Right on Alt. 58. Left on Rt. 65 through Dungannon and Fort Blackmore. Right on Rt. 650 through Rye Cove, then right onto Route 58 to connect with Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail, connecting to the Cumberland Gap at the Virginia State Line. Click here for a map of the trail.
The Clinch River has been designated as the #1 river in the country by the Nature Conservancy for environmental diversity and significance and is the top river in the world for freshwater mussels.  Unusual habitats are home to globally rare plant species and are home to 400 species of wild animals, 22 of which are endangered or threatened.  Karst (cave) scenery, rock formations, sinking streams, caves, wooded hills. Canoeing & kayaking opportunities.
The Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area

Click here for a map of the WMA. Due to difference in elevation a unique forest had developed. Tree species from both southern and northern forests are found. Elevations range from 1600 feet to 4700 feet atop Beartown Mountain. There is considerable water on the area; a 330-acre man-made lake, one major stream and several tributaries. The land that forms Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area was virgin forest until the late 1800's. Evidence of the narrow gauge railroad used during logging can still be seen, and some of the old rail bed is now part of the management area's present road system. Hunting: deer, bear, turkey, grouse, gray and fox squirrel, rabbit, beaver, excellent waterfowl habitat & wood duck. Fishing: brook trout fishery, smallmouth and rock bass. Other popular uses of the area include: horseback riding, wildlife viewing, hiking, and nature photography. A wide range of wildflowers attract visitors in the spring.

Laurel Bed Lake
276) 944-5024

300 acres, known for its trout fishing. Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area offers anglers the opportunity to fish placid, picturesque Laurel Bed Lake. A daily fee is charged for fishing some of the area's waters. Facilities: There is amply parking space. Two boat ramps are available at the Lake.

Hidden Valley Lake
(276) 944-3434

61 acre fishing retreat with primitive camping sites. Part of the Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area.

Hidden Valley Lake Wildlife Management Area

Click here for a map of the WMA. Located along Washington County and bordering on Russell County. Hunting: deer, bear, turkey, squirrel, grouse, deer and bear. Fishing: smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, northern pike and walleye. Hiking, photography.

Lake Estanoa, St. Paul
Oxbow Lake
16345 Bush Drive, Rt. 58
St. Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-5297

This fishing lake is for non-motorized boats(Only)and is equipped with one boat ramp. Beautiful scenery and wildlife viewing for all ages.

Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve
Hungry Mother State Park
2854 Park Boulevard
Marion, VA 24354
(276) 762-5297

Offers birding and wildlife watching, hiking, self-guided trails, restrooms. The preserve lands provide suitable habitate for rare or declining plant and animal species, natural communities, some types of which are rare and some of which are found nowhere else on earth.  Natural settings. 

Slates Campground/Picnic Area – private campground with electric, water, and cable TV hookups.  Located on the Clinch River.  2 mile hiking trail for hiking, birding and wildflower walks. Blackford.
Lake Bonaventure Golf & Country Club
Cleveland, VA

9 hole golf course, swimming pool and 35 acre lake for boating and fishing.

Glade Hollow Park
East Main Street, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-8041

This park features 4 softball fields and 3 tennis courts open to the public when not in use.

J.S. Easterly Park
P.O. Box 926
Lebanon, VA 24266
(540) 899-8041

This county park is landmarked by a crystal-clear waterfall. For a pleasant walk, the park offers hiking trails, or try a leisurely afternoon of tennis.

Dye’s Vineyard & Winery
RR 2 Box 357, Honaker, VA 24260
(540) 873-4659
Honaker Heritage Museum
5738 Redbud Way, Honaker, VA 24260
(276) 873-4333
Cleveland History & Heritage Museum
504 Artrip Rd., Cleveland, VA 24225
(276) 889-2660

Lots of photos and history information of this beautiful little town in the early years. Located at the old Cleveland Elementary School on Route # 661.

Dante Coal Mining & Railroad Museum
30 Straight Hollow Road, Box 336, Dante, VA 24237
(276) 495-1903 www.danteliveson.org

Museum invites visiters to enjoy exhibits of coal and railroad memorabilla, donated by the residents and former residents of Dante and the surrounding commumnity. This building is now the home of the DANTE HISTORY PROJECT display, which traveled around Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky for two years in the late 1990's. School groups are particularly welcome to visit the Museum so that students can meet miners and railroad workers and learn about life and work in the company coal town. Plans for the future include a simulated mine entrance which will be built in the old Bank Vault. The "Dante Lives On" organization sponsors the annual Dane Reunion Festival that brings current and former residents back from all over the United States. The festival is held on the 4th weekend in September and includes food booths, children's activities and entertainment, musical entertainment and street dancing.

Coal Miner’s Memorial
Rt. 63
Dante, VA 24237

Dante was once the headquarters of the Clinchfield Coal Corporation and home to thousands of coal miners and their families. The Coal Miner's Memorial honors those Dante men who worked in the mines and gives special recognition to those who died underground. Names have been placed on the memorial by family and friends. Volunteers maintain the site. Dante Lives On, a community recitilization group, has placed all the names on their website.

Jessee's Mill
State Route 645, Jessee's Mill Road, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-8041

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Park Service, declared Jessee's Mill a national historic landmark and was previously designated a state historical landmark by Virginia. Jessee's Mill began operation over two hundred years ago. The mill was the primary source for ground agricultural products and other trading in the Mill Creek Area. The mill is located on Jessee's Mill Road, State Route 645, north of Route 71, between Lebanon and Cleveland.

John Jessee, a first war of independence infantryman and musician, purchased the mill from William Gilmore in 1794. The mill continued mechanical improvement over the years and around 1890 was made into the three story structure which stands today.

Old Russell County Courthouse
Route 58A
St. Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-7254

This former courthouse was built in 1799 by Henry Dickenson. A stone building, the structure replaced a log courthouse that was burned during the Revolutionary War. The building is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Landmark. It is now restored and open to the public. The Dickenson Bundy log house is on the same site and is open for local crafts sales. A covered picnic facility also exists on site for picnics and family reunions.

Dickenson Bundy Log House
US 58, St. Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-7254

This log house was constructed from two separate log houses. One was built in 1769 and donated by the owner of the old Henry Dickenson farm. The other was built in 1790 and donated by the heirs of Thomas Bundy. The materials used from the 1769 Dickenson house were the oldest found in the area for a restoration project. The original builders of that home, Henry and Elizabeth Bickley Dickenson, were driven by Indians from the home to a fort in Abingdon. The restored house is open to the public and houses a craft store that features local crafters.

Round the Mountain - Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network.
851 French Moore Jr. Blvd., Abingdon, VA 24201

To help foster economic development in SW Virginia by focusing on the craft & creativity of the region. Assists local artisans with marketing, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. Service area: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Gloyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe.

Family Bluegrass Barn
Hwy 19, Hansonville, VA 24266
(276) 669-5222

Live performances every Saturday night from 7:30 pm - 11 pm.

SHOPPING
C & C Furnishings
46 West Main St., Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-1145

Country and primitive home decor for many years. Specialize in a variety of merchandise. Anything from framed prints, antiques, dolls, flags, seasonal & holiday decorations...to handmade, custom built primitive furniture! Custom furniture is made, finished and distressed by hand, and are made of solid wood by a skilled craftsman.

Mountain Made Crafts
P.O. Box 152, Lebanon, VA 24266
(540) 889-0653

Crafts, art, novels and other items handmade by local artists. Some items on sale: dulcimer, sultry autoharp, banjo, furniture and novels about mountain people.

Multiplicity
838 East Main, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-2595

Multiplicity is a clothing boutique located in beautiful downtown Lebanon. Offer unique casual and dress clothing for Misses and Juniors. Also features casual clothing for young men and adults.

Russell County Farmers' Market
331 West Main Street, P. O. Box 926, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-8041

The Russell County Farmer's Market is held at two locations: each Friday in the Dante Square across from the former Clinchfield Offices from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon and in Lebanon at the Russell County Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon each Saturday. The market begins the first weekend in June and runs through October.

Sweet Magnolia, LLC
26 East Main Street, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-7940

Brand new floral, giftware and antique shop located in the heart of downtown Lebanon. Specialize in floral arrangements for all occasions, gift baskets, antiques, candles and country primitives. Offer free delivery locally. Come in and enjoy a wonderful shopping experience. Jennifer and Vickie welcome you into their country world.

UNIQUE DINING

The Farmer’s Table
65 Midtown Circle, Honaker, VA 24260
(276) 873-7372

Family restaurant, well known for homemade meals and recipes, which are the specialty. In addition to the regular menu, there are daily specials. Fresh baked breads and daily desserts. Use locally grown meats and vegatebles for extra freshness and superb taste.

Kountry Kitchen
200 Redbud Highway, Honaker, VA
Ma & Pa’s Restaurant
Hwy 58A, Castlewood, VA 24224
(276) 762-7533

Family owned restaurant, opened July 4, 1966 - offering a buffet hot bar, a variety of sandwiches, homemade pizza, side dishes homemade desserts and ice cream treats.

Old Mill Restaurant
44 North Mill St., Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-4310

Established in 1980. A local landmark, located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, in a restored grain mill. Menu features steaks, seafood, salads, and hearty sandwiches. Space available for meetings and entertainment functions. Our seafood consists of Halibut, Grilled Salmon, Talipia, and fresh Oysters. Awesome Prime Rib, Thursday thru Saturday.

Stone Cellar
104 South Church Street, Lebanon, VA 24266
K & G Restaurant
Russell Co. Shopping Center, Lebanon VA
(276) 889-4233
LODGING
River Wind Inn
PO Box 322, Rosedale, VA 24280
(276) 964-5059

Uniquely reconstructed log home with antique furnishings and peaceful country setting, located on the Heart of Appalachia Bike Route.

Super 8 Motel
711 Townview Drive, Lebanon, VA 24266 
(276) 889-1800

Hot tub suite, fireplace suite, whirlpool, guest laundry, free local calls, bus/RV parking, cable TV with HBO, children 12 & under stay free, complimentary continental breakfast.

The Inn at Castlewood
Hwy 68, Castlewood, VA
(276) 762-5511
EVENTS

Red Bud Festival
Honaker, VA
Annually in April

13 events including the redbud festival breakfast, bird walk, pet show.

Russell County Fair & Horse Show, Castlewood, VA

First Weekend in September at the Russell Co. Fairgrounds. Carnival, Scholarship Pageant, horse shows, bull riding, livestock events, horseless cowboy contest, car show, demolition derby, antique tractor show, country, bluegrass and gospel performances, arts & crafts.Castlewood, VA

Clinch River Days Festival  http://www.clinchriverfestival.com

Held the weekend after Memorial Day along the banks at A.R. Matthews Park.  The festival opens Thursday night at the Railroad Museum and features works by a local artist/photographer/author.  Entertainment continues on into Friday and the weekend with juried art show, unique crafts, antique auction, wine tasting, food vendors.  Canoe trips, nature and wildlife tours, caving, fishing tournaments/exhibits.  The festival showcases the beautiful, viable scenic river heritage.

Our thanks to the Virginia Tourism Corporation (Virginia.org) for their use of some of the photos on this website.

For more information on Russell County contact:
Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority
P.O. Box 926, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 762-0011 or www.heartofappalachia.com

Russell County Chamber of Commerce
331 West Main Street or P.O. Box 926, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-8041 or www.russellcountyva.org

For more on the Town of Honaker, Virginia, visit www.honakerva.com

WMTH CORPORATION PO BOX 51153 BOWLING GREEN, KY 42102 PHONE (270) 792-5300 FAX 721-0004