One of Virginia's most pristine mountain landscapes, Bath County has been lightly trod both by its inhabitants and its recreational visitors. With the majority of the landscape here still covered in mountain forest, Bath is rich with outdoor recreation and stunning mountain scenery that includes long vistas of wooded ridgelines and sweeping pastoral valleys.

This is a land forgotten by time. Once the hunting grounds of the Seneca and Shawnee, then the home of hardy Scots-Irish and German pioneers, the land here looks much as it did 100 years ago. And as it has for centuries, Bath County continues to draw visitors looking for a place of healing.  Native Americans long used the thermal waters here for healing, and eventually European Americans discovered them, establishing the villages of Warm Springs and Hot Springs.  The region has been a retreat for families for countless generations, many of them congregating at the landmark Homestead resort.

While many of Bath County’s families have been here for centuries, newcomers have always received warm welcomes, whether seeking a spot for a family getaway or a peaceful haven for easing into retirement. Agriculture and tourism remain the backbones of the economy, and the carefully preserved valley and mountain landscapes reflect the commitment to environmental stewardship that has been a hallmark of Bath County’s heritage.