Grayson County, Virginia is well known for its pristine Wild Spaces. From the ancient New River to the highest peaks in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Grayson offers a rare glimpse at untouched Nature right in the heart of Appalachia.
Explore the pages below to discover more about hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing in Grayson County!
Grayson County: A Trio of Wild Pursuits
Nestled among the misty Blue Ridge peaks and bisected by the storied New River, Grayson County offers outdoor enthusiasts a rare trifecta: prime hunting grounds, trophy-class fisheries, and world-class birding.
Hunting: Tradition Meets Wild Beauty
Grayson County has a long-standing game heritage, with hunters pursuing deer, rabbit, waterfowl, and more across private tracts and public lands like the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest and Matthews State Forest.
Hunters also venture into the high elevations of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area for mule deer, bear, and turkey, supported by well-marked regulations and seasonal permits.
Fishing: Rivers, Creeks & Lakes
The New River is the crown jewel—its crystal-clear flows yield smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye, and the occasional muskie. Outfitters like New River Outdoor Adventures offer rafts and guided smallmouth trips, perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Be sure to check out Paddleyax Kayaks in Independence if you’d like to take home an American-made kayak as a souvenir!
Big Wilson Creek and Elk Creek are mountainous trout havens: Big Wilson flows through rugged terrain with wild brook and stocked rainbow trout, while Elk Creek stocks trophy trout for guided fly-fishing excursions.
Hale Lake, at Comer’s Rock, is a quaint, family-friendly spot stocked with bluegill and panfish—ideal for novice anglers or kids.
Birding: High-Altitude Song & Scenic Songbirds
From spruce-fir highlands to lush riparian zones, Grayson County is a birder’s paradise. High-elevation hotspots like Grayson Highlands State Park, Elk Garden Trail, and Whitetop Mountain host rare breeders: golden-crowned kinglets, black-capped chickadees, winter wrens, Canada warblers, and more. Mid-elevation contours yield warblers, vireos, orioles, and eagles along river corridors
Matthews State Forest features a dedicated birding trail with seasonal warbler and vireo sightings—combined with a Blue Ridge Music Center concert experience, it blends nature and culture seamlessly
Meet Grayson’s Mountain-top Celebrities: the Highland Ponies
The wild ponies of Grayson Highlands are charismatic, free-roaming equines dotting the high-elevation balds since the 1970s.
Hikers often encounter herds grazing peacefully on Wilburn Ridge and Appalachian Trail sections—hiking to spots like Massie Gap offers excellent pony-viewing opportunities.
Managed by the Wilburn Ridge Pony Association, the herd numbers around 100–150 and is health-checked annually, with excess foals auctioned at the Grayson Highlands Fall Festival Pony Round-up.
