At the Virginia Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame, two stories come together: The museum preserves and documents Patrick County’s racing history and explains how moonshine production directly contributed to the emergence of NASCAR racing. The Wood Brothers Racing Museum is also located in the county; Wood Brothers Racing is NASCAR’s longest continuously operating team.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs along Patrick County’s western border, offers another way to explore the landscape. Along the parkway, you’ll find campgrounds, trails, historic sites, and scenic overlooks. Alongside motorsports history, this brings the connection between nature and regional heritage into focus.
Historic Sites and Living Culture
The Reynolds Homestead was built in 1843 and restored to its 19th-century condition. The house contains many original family furnishings. The grounds also include the one-mile LEAF Trail; they are open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The house’s history and walking trail offer different ways to experience the site.
The Patrick County Historical Museum presents more than two hundred years of history through spinning wheels, old photographs, and handcrafted objects. The Jack’s Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1914. Laurel Hill is the birthplace of Civil War General J.E.B. Stuart; paved walking paths and information signs guide visitors around the grounds. The Historic Patrick County Courthouse was completed in 1822 and features characteristics of courthouses inspired by Jefferson.
Music and events add to these historical insights. The Willis Gap Community Center hosts an Appalachian Acoustic Open Jam every Friday evening at 6:00 p.m., featuring old-time, bluegrass, country, and gospel music. Check the schedule before your visit. An annual Civil War Encampment is held at the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace on the first weekend in October; it’s also a good idea to check event dates in advance.
Trails, Water, and Scenery
Fairy Stone State Park takes its name from the cross-shaped staurolite crystals commonly found in the park. Eleven trails are available for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, with difficulty levels ranging from easy to challenging. A lake invites visitors to swim, paddle, and fish. The easy Round Meadow Trail is a loop with a stated walking time of about 20 minutes. It passes beneath the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge and offers a view of the underside of the structure.
Nearby, the Jamison Mill Trail System includes 6.25 miles of interconnected loop trails for hikers and cyclists. Another route is the 1.8-mile paved Mayo River Rail Trail in downtown Stuart. It’s suitable for walking and cycling and follows the route of the Danville and Western Railway there. Parking is available at both ends, including accessible spaces.
Smaller places also bring together a variety of scenic views: I.C. DeHart Memorial Park includes a restored wetland, a boardwalk, and extensive information signs. Fred Clifton Park offers views of the northern Blue Ridge Mountains and Patrick County’s valley; Lovers Leap Scenic Overlook is right next to the park. In the vicinity of the county, swimming is permitted in designated areas at Philpott Lake. There are also ten public boat ramps.
Stuart Dehart Park has a swimming pool available for recreational and competitive swimming in summer. Seasonal access may vary. Visitors looking to compare trails and water activities will find a range of options, from designated swimming areas at Philpott Lake to the pool in Stuart.
Markets and Seasonal Experiences
From May through October, the Monday Market at Fairy Stone State Park offers local produce, baked goods, eggs, honey, jams, bread, soap, arts and crafts, and food from vendors on Mondays. Check the schedule for the current season. The Stuart Farmers Market offers locally grown fruit and vegetables, baked goods, eggs, meat, arts and crafts, and flowers; music and entertainment are also available at the amphitheater. Its seasonal schedule may change.
In fall, Doe Run Farm opens annually for a sunflower maze. Visitor activities include a six-acre maze, hayrides, pumpkin bowling, and a field where visitors can pick their own sunflowers. As offerings are seasonal, it’s a good idea to check the current operating schedule and bloom dates before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Floyd, Woolwine, Ararat, Appomattox County, Greene County, Williamsburg, Shenandoah Valley, Staunton.
For the main travel overview: Virginia.
