Discover Dickenson County: Water, Mountains and Mountain Music
Accommodation in Dickenson County
Dickenson County combines waterscapes, mountain roads and a distinctive musical and regional history. The John W. Flannagan Reservoir covers 1,143 acres and provides a striking starting point for days by the water. At Laurel Lake, pedal boats, kayaks and canoes are rented seasonally by the hour or half-hour. Anyone looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Dickenson County can therefore first consider whether their trip will focus more on water sports, nature experiences, culture or a combination of these themes.
Water Experiences between the Reservoir and Russell Fork
Various sport fish species can be found in the John W. Flannagan Reservoir, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, hybrid striped bass, various catfish, sunfish, rock bass, carp and muskellunge. The Cranesnest Fishing Pier offers fishing opportunities. For outings with your own kayak or canoe, there is also a public boat launch on the Pound River where boats can be launched and retrieved.
The Russell Fork River is designated as a Virginia Scenic River in Dickenson County. A tubing trip from Haysi downstream to the Thunder River Campground takes about two hours. More challenging is whitewater rafting on the Russell Fork through Breaks Canyon below the John Flannagan Dam: this is possible on four weekends in October when water is released from the dam. Depending on the river section, the difficulty ranges from Class III to V+. These different formats help you clearly define the focus of your trip planning and select suitable accommodation as a base for your desired activities.
Mountains, Views and Trails
Birch Knob Tower stands at 3,144 feet above sea level. From there, the view extends into Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee; on clear days, Ohio is also visible. The area around the tower provides access to the Pine Mountain Trail. For planning a longer route, Ridgeview in Haysi offers 78 miles of trails; the connected Coal-Canyon system provides another 127 miles.
Another way to experience the mountain landscape is the Cumberland Mountain Drive on State Route 611. The Virginia Scenic Byway runs for 19 miles through the mountains of Dickenson County. Those who enjoy combining different types of days can choose accommodation so that excursions to viewpoints and rivers as well as quieter cultural activities fit into their personal plans.
Mountain Music and Regional History
The Ralph Stanley Museum presents the history of Mountain Music using modern technology and immersive design. Through headphones, you can hear Ralph Stanley himself talk about his story as well as the history and important stages in the development of Mountain Music. Expanded exhibition areas also cover the beginnings of country music and modern bluegrass, as well as the life and music of Ralph Stanley’s brother Carter. Tours for adults, motorcoach groups and student groups must be arranged in advance.
Additional cultural attractions offer different points of focus. The Dr. Phipps Family Museum displays birth records from the former hospital and other mementos from the Dr. Phipps family. The Dickenson County Coal Miners Memorial in Clinchco, Virginia, displays 309 names dating from the early 20th century onward. Regularly scheduled events and programs take place at the Jettie Baker Center.
Craftsmanship and Orientation
Hill Mandolins handcrafts high-quality mandolins and guitars in the mountains of Dickenson County. A meeting with the craftsperson can be arranged by appointment in advance. This craftsmanship complements the musical history with a tangible insight into the making of instruments.
As an additional point of orientation, you can also include Clintwood in your further planning. Whether you focus your stay on water activities, mountain views, culture or several of these interests, Dickenson County offers clearly distinct reasons to travel, which can guide your choice of vacation rental or vacation home.
For the overarching travel overview: Virginia.
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