The New River Water Trail® covers 37 miles in Giles County. The river, waterfalls and ridgelines give the landscape a tangible framework; historic districts and individual buildings add another perspective on the area through their architectural styles and dates of origin. Experiences in nature, regional cultural heritage and local food culture each offer their own distinct character.
River, Waterfalls and Ridgelines
The Greater Newport Rural Historic District covers 21,000 acres; ridges and tributaries of the New River shape this area. This is a broad description of the landscape. At Mill Creek Nature Park, by contrast, the focus is on four waterfalls and fishing for native trout. The park borders Jefferson National Forest.
At the Cascades in Pembroke, both the route and the destination help you get your bearings: the round trip is four miles long and leads to a 69-foot waterfall. Jefferson National Forest covers 92.4 square miles in Giles County and is recommended there for hunting.
Mountain Lake Conservancy offers hiking, mountain biking, trail running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, geocaching, a ropes course and wildlife watching. These are different ways to spend your leisure time, from getting around on foot or by mountain bike to winter activities and nature watching. Individual offerings may change; check which activities are available before your visit.
A one-hour guided tour to Bald Knob takes you to the highest point in Giles County and offers a 180-degree view of the Appalachian Mountains. The stated duration helps you plan for the tour; the expansive view is a distinct highlight alongside the trails and waterfalls.
Historic Districts and Individual Buildings
The Pearisburg Historic District includes 17 buildings and is listed in 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 figures highlight different aspects: in Pearisburg, the number of buildings is linked to listings in two registers, while Newport distinguishes between the approximate total and the subset important to its historic character.
The Walker’s Creek Presbyterian Church offers a closer look at a specific architectural style. The well-preserved, single-story Gothic Revival church was completed in 1898 on Big Walker Creek in western Giles County. Its number of stories, architectural style and year give the building a distinct profile alongside the larger historic districts.
The Andrew Johnston House serves as a museum and honors the Johnston family and its contribution to the county’s history. At the Giles County Museum, special tours are led by a local historian; advance arrangements are required. If you plan to take one of these tours, book it in advance.
The town of Narrows developed along the Cumberland Gap Turnpike. The turnpike’s route formed the two main streets of the Narrows Commercial Historic District. Here, the street layout tells the story of the town’s development. A 2023 description identifies the Q.M. Pyne Store as one of the most notable and best-preserved examples of a general store. Visitors are welcome at the Sinking Creek Covered Bridge, where there is also a guest book.
Local Food Culture and Agriculture
In the Village of Eggleston on the New River, a historic general store was converted into a contemporary Appalachian restaurant. The building’s former use as a store and its current use as a restaurant connect local history with regional food culture.
Agriculture is also part of the county’s character: Doe Creek Farm is a commercial apple orchard and livestock operation founded in 1883. Along with the historic districts and individual buildings, this business represents another facet of the region’s history.
Discover more destinations: Pearisburg, Narrows, Norfolk, Rich Creek, Henrico, Charles City County, Emporia, Wythe County.
For the broader travel overview: Virginia.
