Virginia is for Lovers

  • Welcome

    Welcome

    • About Virginia
    • Welcome Centers
    • VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS
    • Accessible Travel
    • International Visitors
    • Weather
    • Transportation
    • Related Links
    • Weddings In Virginia
    • LGBT Travel
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS SHOP

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Things To Do

    Things To Do

    • Family Fun
    • Historic Sites
    • Eat & Drink
    • Outdoors
    • THEME PARKS & WATERPARKS
    • Zoos & Aquariums
    • Music
    • BEACHES
    • State Parks
    • National Parks
    • CAVERNS
    • Golf
    • SPAS
    • SHOPPING
    • MUSEUMS
    • Arts & Culture
    • LOVEworks
    • Filmed in Virginia

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Events

    Events

    • ARTS & CRAFTS
    • CIVIL WAR
    • CULINARY
    • FAMILY FUN
    • FESTIVALS
    • HISTORY & HERITAGE
    • MUSIC FESTIVALS
    • PERFORMANCES
    • SPORTING
    • WINE FESTIVALS

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Places To Stay

    Places To Stay

    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • COTTAGES & CABINS
    • INNS
    • RESORTS
    • PET FRIENDLY
    • CAMPING
    • HOTELS & MOTELS
    • LODGES & GUEST RANCHES
    • Vacation Homes & Rentals
    • VIRGINIA GREEN

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Deals

    Deals

    • DEALS & DISCOUNTS
    • FALL PACKAGES
    • FAMILY FUN PACKAGES
    • FOOD AND WINE PACKAGES
    • HISTORY DEALS
    • SPRING PACKAGES
    • MILITARY DISCOUNTS
    • ROMANCE PACKAGES
    • TRAVEL PACKAGES

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Store
  • Maps

    Maps

    • Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia - Blue Ridge Highlands
    • Central Virginia
    • Chesapeake Bay
    • Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
    • Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads
    • Southwest Virginia - Heart of Appalachia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Virginia Mountains

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Accessible Travel

Big Stone Gap

LocationVirginia

Come to Big Stone Gap and discover a Little Town with a Big Story. The lush green mountains provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy our history, culture and nature.

Southwest Virginia Museum

Visit the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park to experience the story first-hand. Participate in the Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama and see the early days of the boom and bust come to life! Delve deeper into coal mining history at the Meador Coal Museum. Don’t forget to visit the historic home of John Fox Jr., the June Tolliver House, the 101 Historic Traincar, or the Lonesome Pine School and Heritage Museum.

Bring your bikes and ride our Greenbelt on the scenic Powell River. Go hiking and nearby Roaring Branch in the Jefferson National Forest, or enjoy the other national forest sites that surround Big Stone Gap! Take short trip to Natural Tunnel State Park and view the Eighth Wonder of the World. Hear Old-Time and Bluegrass music at various venues in the area along the Crooked Road! Big Stone Gap is the perfect place for your mountain vacation!

About The Story………..

The story begins with the Cherokee, Iroquois, Wyandotte, and Shawnee who found the present-day area of Southwest Virginia a hunter’s paradise. Game such as elk, turkey, deer, bear, and buffalo were abundant. The 18th century saw the arrival of early hunters and explorer’s such as Dr. Thomas Walker, Ambrose Powell, Elisha Walden, and Daniel Boone. Three Forks, the earliest recorded name for Big Stone Gap, soon became a thoroughfare for early pioneer trails.

During the 1870s, much was published about the mineral and timber resources of the Appalachian Mountains. General John Imboden focused on Three Forks as the location for industrial development, touting it as the new Pittsburgh of the south. The town, which was then being called Mineral City, was incorporated as Big Stone Gap in 1882.

Many developer’s flocked to Big Stone Gap. These included Rufus Ayers, the Goodloe and Wood brothers, the Slemp and the Fox family.

Cast of Big Stone GapJohn Fox Jr. wrote about his experiences in “The Gap” and the surrounding region in his 12 novels and 45 short stories. He became the most popular American novelist of his time and immortalized Big Stone Gap in his novel The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. In modern times, Big Stone Gap is best known for a series of novels by hometown author Adriana Trigiani. Big Stone Gap – The Movie was released October 9, 2015. It was filmed entirely in Big Stone Gap. 

In addition to the two best-selling authors, the town has produced the private secretary to President Calvin Coolidge, a governor of Virginia, numerous artisans and musicians, a Grammy-winning recording studio, two NFL running backs, and many others who have contributed to our state, nation, and world!

What's Nearby

  • Burger King - Big Stone Gap
    Burger King - Big Stone Gap
    900 Gilley Ave E
    Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
  • Dari Delight
    Dari Delight
    710 Shawnee Ave E # 1
    Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
  • Quality Inn & Suites - Big Stone Gap
    Quality Inn & Suites - Big Stone Gap
    4609 Aerial Way
    Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
  • Huddle House - Big Stone Gap
    Huddle House - Big Stone Gap
    4611 Aerial Way
    Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
  • Little Mexico - Big Stone Gap
    Little Mexico - Big Stone Gap
    1949 Neeley Rd.
    Big Stone Gap, VA 24219

    Area Events

    Weather

    View 7-Day Forecast
      • This Afternoon
        Mostly Cloudy
        42°F

        Mostly Cloudy

      • Friday
        Partly Sunny
        43°F

        Partly Sunny

      • Saturday
        Sunny
        36°F

        Sunny

      • Sunday
        Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
        45°F

        Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

    • Contact
      Wise County
      PO Box 570
      Wise, VA 24293
    • Phone
      (276) 328-2321
    • Region
      Southwest Virginia - Heart of Appalachia
    • VISIT SITE
    SV16021603V_008.JPG

    Winter in Virginia

    • Mountain Resorts

      Cabin Rentals

      Skiing

      Ice Skating

      Whale Watching

      Winter Hikes

      Luxury Retreats
    Virginia is for Lovers Trucker Hat

    Shop with us for merchandise and gifts

    Shop Virginia

    We Need Your Feedback

    Take our Survey

    Travel Updates

    Success! Get ready to start receiving Virginia.org travel updates.

    Find out why Virginia is for Lovers. You’ll get monthly travel inspiration, insider tips, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet. Plus exclusive offers, deals, packages and more! Sign up for Virginia is for Lovers Emails now!

    There’s always more to LOVE in Virginia. Please select any topic that interests you!

    About Va
    • Virginia Travel Blog
    • Welcome Centers
    • Cities & Localities
    • Transportation
    • Virginia Is For Lovers
    Contact Us
    • Media/Press Room
    • Send Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
    • Travel Industry
    • Travel Guide Order
    Travel
    • Group Planners
    • Sports Marketers
    • Meetings Professionals
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • Accessible Travel
    Additional Links
    • Virginia Is For Lovers Store
    • Add/Update Your Listings
    • Website Survey
    • Site Map
    • Virginia is for Lovers
    • DiscoverAmerica.com
    • Brazil
    • Canada
    • France
    • Germany
    • England
    • Korea
    • China
    • Japan

    Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia ● © 2020 Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900, Richmond, VA 23219
    For Virginia citizen and business services visit www.Virginia.gov. ● Virginia Economic Development Partnership visit www.VEDP.org.