The Virginia Creeper Trail Reopens!
- Who made the decision to reopen the trail?
- The decision to reopen the trail was made jointly between the trail owners/managers – the US Forest Service and the towns of Abingdon and Damascus in consultation with the Mount Rogers Health District.
- What facilities/services along the trail are closed at this time?
- For the protection of trail users and employees with limited personal protection equipment (PPE), all restroom facilities, visitor and welcome centers and certain picnic shelters are closed.
- As a trail user, what are my responsibilities to myself and others?
- If you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days or if you have a fever or other coronavirus symptoms or an underlying health condition, you should NOT be on the trail
- Please follow the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines:
- Maintain at least six feet distance between yourself and others who are not in your same party.
- No groups of 10 or more should travel or congregate on the trail, at access points or in the parking areas.
- Please consider other trail users — especially those behind you — and cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
- While on the trail, what are some important points to remember?
- ALWAYS call out when passing on the left whether biking, running or walking and allow extra time to do so.
- Please allow others to pass through any narrow trail sections FIRST to provide for 6′ distancing.
- Avoid touching smooth surfaces such as interpretive signs, kiosks, trashcan handles, and trestle and mile markers.
- What about trail maintenance and bike patrols?
- Trail maintenance will be limited.
- Our volunteer bike patrols will not be on the trail as usual.
- Where should I park?
- Please park in designated areas only. If the trail head or other access points are busy, please consider returning at another time or finding another location to enter/exit the trail.
- Can I bring my dog?
- Of course! But they must remain on a 6’ or shorter leash at all times. We require all owners clean up after their dogs.
- Is there cell service along the trail?
- Cell service is very limited and can be considered “spotty at best”. There is service in Damascus and Abingdon, however there is no service from Whitetop to Damascus.
- What if I have additional questions?
- Visit https://www.vacreepertrail.org/ for more information about the trail and the Centers for Disease Control for additional details on the coronavirus at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html