The Alleghany Highlands of Bath County are one of Virginia's most pristine mountain landscapes with more than 80% of the county’s acreage still covered in forest. Half of the county consists of protected land, which is available for outdoor recreation through the George Washington National Forest, Douthat State Park, and The Nature Conservancy’s Warm Springs Mountain Preserve.
Hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, camping, bird watching, canoeing, and horseback riding are all popular outdoor activities in the Allegheny Mountains.
Despite Bath County’s rural heritage, it also has a wide array of arts and cultural offerings, including the internationally known Garth Newel Music Center in Warm Springs, which has its own resident chamber quartet and also hosts a variety of guest musicians as well at the Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival.
Hot Springs, Warm Springs, and Healing Springs are also home to a variety of art galleries as well as antique dealers. And many of the villages here having walking tours devoted to appreciation of local historic architecture. Local events include the nearby Highland Maple Festival, Bath County Triathlon, and Homestead Preserve’s quarterly Signature Events, which feature everything from pheasant hunts to sporting competitions.
For more information on what is happening in and around Homestead Preserve, please visit our community web site at mountainporches.com or contact the Bath County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-628-8092 or discoverbath.com.