AlLeGhAnY
HiGhLaNdS
Outdoor opportunities are abundant in Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands, where
approximately 50 percent of the land is located within national forest. The Al-
leghany Highlands Blueway, which is comprised of two mountain lakes and two
scenic rivers, offers great paddling, fishing, and boating opportunities. The grand-
kids can fish, twenty-somethings can wakeboard, and families can kayak - there
truly is something for everyone.
The wild and scenic Jackson River en-
ters the Alleghany Highlands from Gath-
right Dam on Lake Moomaw. Nearly 30
miles of the Jackson River wind through
the area. Several small streams that feed
into the Jackson River, including Dunlap
Creek and Potts Creek, also offer excel-
lent fishing opportunities.
Approximately 10 miles of the Cowpas-
ture River flows through the eastern
portion of the Alleghany Highlands. Pad-
dling on the Cowpasture offers easy,
straightforward rapids with great views
of the surrounding mountains. Near Iron
Gate, the Cowpasture meets the Jack-
son River to form the James River, which
flows through neighboring Botetourt
and Rockbridge counties on its way to
the Chesapeake Bay.
Not only is Douthat State Park one of
Virginia’s oldest state parks, it’s one of its
finest. The Outside Family Vacation
Guide named Douthat State Park one of
the nation’s 10 best. Its contribution to
the Alleghany Highlands Blueway is
Douthat Lake, a 50-acre lake with swim-
ming, boating, and seasonal trout fishing.
Lake Moomaw is the northernmost por-
tion of the Alleghany Highlands Blue-
way. The lake has 43 miles of
undeveloped, wooded shoreline just
perfect for exploring by canoe or kayak,
yet large enough for sailing and motor-
boats. Add in beautiful campsites and
world-class fishing and you’ve got a per-
fect vacation.
If you are looking for your next destina-
tion, look no further than the Alleghany
Highlands, where folks are friendly, fish
are plentiful, and opportunities are
abundant. It’s Uniquely Alleghany!
Go to visitalleghanyhighlands.com or
alleghanyhighlandsblueway.com for
more information.