Grayson Highlands State Park, Appalachian Trail

Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia is renowned for its high-altitude meadows, rugged rocky ridges and breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains.  One of its most iconic features is the wild ponies, descendants of horses left behind in the 1970s.

These ponies, which roam freely through the park’s fields, have adapted to the harsh terrain and weather.  They help maintain the landscape by grazing and preventing overgrowth of vegetation.  While the ponies are wild, they are accustomed to human presence, which allows for closer interaction.

The park is also known for its vibrant music festivals, such as the Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition, named after renowned local guitar maker, the Albert Hash Memorial Festival, which pays tribute to Appalachian fiddler and instrument maker Albert Hash and the Grayson Highlands Fall Festival, bringing bluegrass and old-time music to the park, celebrating the area’s mountain culture.