Tazewell: Mountain Scenery, History and Activities

Tazewell County lies on the Alleghany Plateau and is characterized by mountainous terrain. Burke’s Garden features a distinctive landform: the bowl-shaped depression was formed by the gradual collapse of a mountain and is Virginia’s highest-elevation valley. There are also historic sites, natural areas and waterside activities—a mix that brings together a range of interests when planning a trip.

Experience the Landscape and Nature

At Lincolnshire Lake, you can fish, hike, kayak and stand-up paddleboard; an Aqua Park is also available. Recreational offerings are seasonal and may change. So check which activities are currently offered before your visit. Lincolnshire Park/Lake also provides habitat for birds, butterflies, dragonflies and other wildlife.

A trail in Lincolnshire Park/Lake leads to the lakeshore. The wooded slopes, however, are not accessible by trails. This distinction is useful when planning your time there: access to the shore and a trail into the wooded slopes are not the same thing. The Cove also offers a fascinating connection with nature for wildlife viewing. It provides habitat for many grassland and open-country birds, including bald eagles, great blue herons and wild turkeys, as well as other wildlife.

A damp, moss-covered forest, tall eastern hemlocks and dense rhododendron undergrowth define the landscape of Little Wolf Creek Primitive Management Area. The area provides habitat for wild turkeys, white-tailed deer and forest birds, among other wildlife. The Appalachian Trail crosses Route 615 at Little Wolf Creek. At Wolf Creek Picnic Area and Trail, there are three trails, each approximately two miles long. One section follows an old rail bed; traces of the original railroad ties are still visible there.

History and Culture in Tazewell

Pioneer Park consists of fourteen wooden and stone buildings that reflect life on the frontier in the 19th century. The Lucie Greever Gallery features twelve permanent exhibits and a rotating exhibition space. Its focus is the history of Southwest Virginia and Appalachia. Tazewell’s Main Street adds to this cultural character as a well-preserved historic downtown with shops and restaurants.

Every July, the Tazewell County Old Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention is held in Pioneer Park at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum. Check upcoming event dates separately before your trip. The July 2026 edition featured competitions for fiddle and guitar players, including a category for younger fiddle enthusiasts.

Back of the Dragon and Getting Around

Back of the Dragon is a 32-mile drive along Virginia Route 16 between Tazewell and Marion. The route passes through Tazewell County and includes more than 400 curves. Its length and number of curves provide specific details to help plan your route; road conditions and route operations may change. So check current conditions before you set out. A downloadable GPX file is available for navigation, which you can use with a compatible navigation app or GPS device.

The Back of the Dragon Welcome Center in Tazewell is a frequent meeting point for drivers before they continue toward Marion or take other nearby Appalachian routes. Cell service in The Cove is very unreliable, so bring an alternative navigation option. This lets you plan how to navigate for each drive rather than relying solely on cell service along the way.

Discover more destinations: Tannersville, Cedar Bluff, Tazewell, Pounding Mill, Lynchburg, Charles City County, Suffolk City, Isle Of Wight County.

For the broader travel overview: Virginia.