NATURAL ASSETS. ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES
Outdoor recreation is more than a pastime here in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains —it’s a powerful economic driver. Wise County’s exceptional natural resources and four-season adventure offerings attract visitors, inspire residents, and fuel business growth across the outdoor, hospitality, and recreation sectors.
Settings that inspire
Wise County draws visitors from across the nation with its unspoiled landscapes, accessible outdoor adventures, and extraordinary biodiversity—natural assets so compelling they often inspire relocation or investment in recreation-related businesses by entrepreneurs. As tourism and visitor spending play a vital role in Wise County’s economy, programs like the VCEDA Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund exist to support hospitality-related businesses and strengthen the visitor experience.
A few of Wise County’s natural highlights include:
- Ancient mountain peaks and dramatic rock outcroppings
- Cascading waterfalls and rare cavern formations
- Rhododendron thickets and lush hardwood forests
- Exceptional wildlife variety, including black bear and over 50 mussel species in the Clinch River—more than any other river on Earth
Wise County is home to an abundance of water-based recreation that attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. The Clinch, Powell, and Pound Rivers—along with scenic lakes like Oxbow Lake, Norton Reservoir, Pound Lake, Big Cherry Lake, and Lake Keokee—offer the perfect day on the water.
Whether it’s boating, paddle boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or fishing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. A sand swimming beach at High Knob Recreation Area is a family favorite, while anglers have many options nearby to cast for trout, bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, tiger muskie, and more.These natural assets are not only a draw for visitors—they're also a strong foundation for recreation-focused business development.
Mountains of opportunity
The options are endless: Hiking and mountain biking for every level of experience and skill, horseback riding, rock climbing (rope and boulder), trails for ATV riding, camping (including campgrounds at elevations as high as 3,800 feet), nature walks and more, at attractions that include:
- George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, sprawling across 1.8 million acres, home to the High Knob Recreation Area and the and some of the nation’s best backcountry recreation, ecological diversity and preserved cultural history. Other attractions include the Clinch River State Park; multiple recreation areas; the Spearhead Trails and the Appalachian Backroads.
Heritage that endures
Wise County’s mountain heritage is alive in every note of bluegrass, every handcrafted piece of art, and every festival that brings the community together. As a proud stop on The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, the county hosts year-round music and cultural events that honor its rich Appalachian roots. From front-porch jam sessions and outdoor dramas to craft fairs and storytelling festivals, Wise County offers an authentic and unforgettable celebration of Appalachian life.
The Heart of Appalachia
From Wise County, visitors and residents can easily explore all the rest of Southwest Virginia’s superb recreational and cultural assets. Visitor spending in SWVA was $766 million in 2023.
Learn more at about our robust recreation and visitor economy at: