Serving the Southwest Virginia Area

Damascus Trail Center

A collaboration between the Town of Damascus and the ATC, the Damascus Trail Center embraces and enhances southwest Virginia’s growing status as a hub for outdoor recreation.

 

Hours of Operation

  • Open 7 days a week
  • 10am – 5pm

Damascus was one of the hundreds of little Appalachian communities affected by Hurricane Helene. For more information about Helene’s impacts across the Appalachian Trail and landscape, visit our Helene Resources page.

 

Damascus Trail Center
209 West Laurel Ave.
Damascus, VA 24236

Phone: 304.535.6331 ext. 7

Take a Virtual Tour of the Center

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Damascus Trail Center Mission:

  • Empower visitors, volunteers, local businesses, and the regional economy by connecting people to the region’s outdoor resources.
  • Educate visitors and volunteers through exhibits, interpretation, and programming.
  • Protect the A.T. Landscape by being a resource to learn about environmental stewardship.

The Damascus Trail Center (DTC) connects people to nature. Located in Damascus, Virginia — aka “Trail Town, USA” — the DTC acts as a meeting place uniting visitors and volunteers with a wide range of outdoor resources throughout the region. The Center caters to a broad community of people – from experienced outdoor enthusiasts to those at the very beginning of building a relationship with nature.

The DTC was built to educate, empower, and protect the region’s visitors, volunteers, and communities. The DTC educates by focusing on the principles of responsible recreation and environmental stewardship. High-quality exhibits and programming will showcase the nearby landscape and share stories of stewards who protect nearby outdoor spaces. Instilling a sense of stewardship will be the foundation for programming and activities at The Center. The DTC empowers by promoting volunteerism, community building, and connections to and stewardship of the region’s outdoor assets. Finally, the DTC protects local outdoor spaces, providing a destination where the relationship between the region and its outdoor resources can be fully explored, and where people can learn how to develop a closer connection to the outdoors.

Start your journey to Damascus and learn more about long term parking options at the Visit Damascus website.

Offerings & Attractions

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Exhibits

Learn about other National Trails here in Damascus like the Virginia Creeper and the Overmountain Victory Trail. Our topographical map gives you a bird’s eye view of the Mount Rogers High Country. The Larry Mulder Storyboard allows you to write or draw out messages and document your experience!

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Visitor Services

Our friendly staff will help you navigate the area and give recommendations for the outdoor recreational offerings. Looking for suggestions on a long or short hike? Are you interested in cycling trails? Or are you more interested in fishing? Stop by and let us guide you to the best places! Don’t forget to ask for our coloring brochures on native wild flowers! And the Damascus Passport booklet!

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Hiker Services

A.T. hikers can stop in and either lounge on our beautiful deck or hang inside. Hikers can also register their hike and pick up a hangtag. Do you have questions about Leave No Trace practices? We’ll be happy to talk to you about how to leave the wild, wild!

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Gift shop

Our small but mighty gift shop carries postcards, ornaments, guides, maps, shirts, and other items that can make for an excellent gift! Don’t forget to become a member to enjoy 10% off your purchase!

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Host an Event at DTC

  • DTC is available to rent for events and gatherings
  • 2,100 Square feet
  • 1,000 Square feet of outdoor programming space
  • .41 acre lot in the heart of “Trail Town, USA”
  • Reach out to us at the information above to find out how you can host your next event in this beautiful space!
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Volunteer at DTC

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities at the Damascus Trail Center, please stop in or fill out your information at the button below and we’ll be in touch:

Volunteer

Explore the area

The DTC is located in the heart of downtown Damascus in scenic Southwest Virginia. The quiet A.T. Community is known as “The Friendliest Town on the Trail” and caters to all people looking to explore the beauty of the outdoors. From fishing to cycling to hiking, Damascus and the surrounding area have many opportunities to get outside.

Every year, Damascus hosts the world’s largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture: Trail Days. It draws an average of 25,000 people over a few short days every May. Global outdoor outfitters, thousands of hikers, artists, musicians, and people from all corners of the globe take over the town-wide festival.

Damascus is a short drive away from the historic city of Abingdon, which can also be accessed by the famous Rails-to-Trail bicycling trail: the Virginia Creeper. Grayson Highlands State Park, known for its wild population of miniature ponies and beautiful views, is also a short commute from Trail Town.

Come visit DTC today and get information about these items and more!

Learn more

 

Accessibility

Accessible spaces are available in parking lot located behind the center. The main entrance has ramps from the parking lot behind the center to the front door. Our restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Our topographical map has braille for visually impaired folks. We warmly welcome service dogs and well behaved pets.