Things to do nearJackson River Scenic Trail - Intervale Trailhead

The Jackson River Scenic Trail follows the course of the Jackson River through the Gathright Wildlife Management Area in Bath and Alleghany counties, tracing a route shaped over centuries by the river itself. The corridor sits within the broader Allegheny Highlands, a region long valued for its timber, mineral springs, and wild trout streams. The trail was developed to give hikers and anglers access to terrain that was historically difficult to reach, and it preserves that sense of remoteness even today.

From the Intervale Trailhead near Covington, the path moves along the river through a mix of second-growth forest and open rocky stretches. Sycamore and river birch crowd the water's edge, while oak and hickory dominate the slopes above. Herons work the shallows, osprey circle overhead during warmer months, and the river's riffles and pools reveal the kind of clean, cold water that supports healthy native fish populations.

The trail is well-suited to day hikers of moderate fitness, with relatively gentle grades along the river corridor broken by occasional rocky scrambles. Anglers are a constant presence, drawn by the Jackson River's reputation as one of Virginia's finest tailwater fisheries below Lake Moomaw. The nearby lake itself offers a natural extension to any visit, with boating and swimming accessible a short drive away.

The Jackson River Scenic Trail at Intervale Trailhead offers something increasingly rare: a long, quiet walk beside moving water in country that feels genuinely removed from everyday life, making it well worth the drive into the Virginia highlands.