By nature, small towns tend to stay off the grid. Even those who have lived in Virginia for an entire lifetime might have trouble placing some of the tiniest towns here on the map. Luckily, this provides an opportunity to travel to a completely new corner of the state and still feel like you’re right at home. You might not of heard of some of these places, but you’ll definitely want to plan your visit to them soon.
- Scotland
VDOT/flickr
Wikipedia Located in Surry County, Scotland can be found along John Rolf Highway. This tiny town is the headquarters of the Jamestown Scotland Ferry, operated and run by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Nearby, visitors can see replicas of the Discovery, Godspeed, and Susan Constant.
- Fincastle
Doug Kerr/flickr
Rick Collier/flickr Fincastle is the county seat of Botetourt County, with a population of nearly 350. The area dates back to 1772, when it was founded and named for Lord Fincastle, who was the last royal governor of Virginia. The courthouse was designed by Thomas Jefferson himself, who sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from the town’s headquarters when they departed to explore the Louisiana Purchase.
- Sugar Grove
Taber Andrew Bain Follow/flickr
DM/flickr Sugar Grove is located in southwestern Virginia, within Smyth County. Rumor holds that the area is named for the maples that grow there. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. The aptly named Maple Leaf Park is one of the most popular spots within the community.
- Paris
Donald West/flickr
Rex Walters/flickr Far, far away from France sits a tiny unincorporated community in the Shenandoah hunt country. The deed for present-day Paris was acquired by Peter Glascock from Lord Fairfax in 1786. The post office was officially established in 1800. Today, visitors can enjoy a stroll along the Paris Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Independence
Taber Andrew Bain/flickr
Brent Moore/flickr With a population just around 1,000, Independence is one of the larger tiny towns on the list. It seems fitting that it has become the site of an impressive Forth of July celebration. The party takes place in front of the 1908 courthouse, complete with live music and a wild pony sale. It’s an especially beautiful town to visit in the fall, also hosting the annual Mountain Foliage Festival.
- New Castle
Universal Pops Follow/flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr New Castle is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area and has a population close to 150. This charming mountain town has plenty of natural beauty. Two remarkable geological features include the cliffs and Johns Creek gorge, which boasts impressive whitewater rapids.
- Tom’s Brook
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
reivax/flickr Nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, Toms Brook has a population of just under 300. The town dates back prior to the Civil War, and during the War was the site of the Battle of Tom’s Brook. The town can be explored and enjoyed on foot, with beautiful buildings such as the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and Toms Brook School.
- Keezletown
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
Stephen Little/flickr Located just southeast of Harrisonburg, Keezletown is a name known mostly by its residents. This unincorporated community is part of Rockingham County. Many folks who visit Keezletown make a point of stopping by the Old Massanutten Lodge, a scenic getaway and one of the best viewpoints of the surrounding breathtaking countryside.
- Fries
Eli Christman/flickr
Doug Kerr/flickr One of the easiest ways to tell who’s an out-of-towner in Fries is pronunciation. Hint: it’s not pronounced like the food. This Grayson County town is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a population of approximately 500. It’s a place rich in music and outdoor appreciation.
- Criglersville
Wikipedia
Janet Moore-Coll/flickr This unincorporated community in Madison County can be accessed via the Old Blue Ridge Turnpike, also known as State Route 670. It’s an incredibly scenic small town, featuring the Robinson River and plenty of farmland. There are plenty of nearby accommodations for the perfect weekend getaway.
- Phenix
Alan Levine/flickr Phenix can be found in Charlotte County along State Route 40. The small town of just under 250 is full of charm and plenty of Southern hospitality. One of the trademark characteristics of this town are the fire hydrants painted red, white, and blue. It’s the site of frequent parades and a great place to spend an afternoon, weekend, or lifetime.
Have you visited any of these charming small towns in Virginia? Do you happen to call one of these your home? Be sure to share your experience with us! Or, if any of your favorite places might have missed the list, feel free to share those too. For more beautiful small town scenery, be sure to check out this Picturesque Road Trip Through Virginia’s Small Towns.
VDOT/flickr
Wikipedia
Located in Surry County, Scotland can be found along John Rolf Highway. This tiny town is the headquarters of the Jamestown Scotland Ferry, operated and run by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Nearby, visitors can see replicas of the Discovery, Godspeed, and Susan Constant.
Doug Kerr/flickr
Rick Collier/flickr
Fincastle is the county seat of Botetourt County, with a population of nearly 350. The area dates back to 1772, when it was founded and named for Lord Fincastle, who was the last royal governor of Virginia. The courthouse was designed by Thomas Jefferson himself, who sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from the town’s headquarters when they departed to explore the Louisiana Purchase.
Taber Andrew Bain Follow/flickr
DM/flickr
Sugar Grove is located in southwestern Virginia, within Smyth County. Rumor holds that the area is named for the maples that grow there. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. The aptly named Maple Leaf Park is one of the most popular spots within the community.
Donald West/flickr
Rex Walters/flickr
Far, far away from France sits a tiny unincorporated community in the Shenandoah hunt country. The deed for present-day Paris was acquired by Peter Glascock from Lord Fairfax in 1786. The post office was officially established in 1800. Today, visitors can enjoy a stroll along the Paris Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Taber Andrew Bain/flickr
Brent Moore/flickr
With a population just around 1,000, Independence is one of the larger tiny towns on the list. It seems fitting that it has become the site of an impressive Forth of July celebration. The party takes place in front of the 1908 courthouse, complete with live music and a wild pony sale. It’s an especially beautiful town to visit in the fall, also hosting the annual Mountain Foliage Festival.
Universal Pops Follow/flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
New Castle is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area and has a population close to 150. This charming mountain town has plenty of natural beauty. Two remarkable geological features include the cliffs and Johns Creek gorge, which boasts impressive whitewater rapids.
reivax/flickr
Nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, Toms Brook has a population of just under 300. The town dates back prior to the Civil War, and during the War was the site of the Battle of Tom’s Brook. The town can be explored and enjoyed on foot, with beautiful buildings such as the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and Toms Brook School.
Stephen Little/flickr
Located just southeast of Harrisonburg, Keezletown is a name known mostly by its residents. This unincorporated community is part of Rockingham County. Many folks who visit Keezletown make a point of stopping by the Old Massanutten Lodge, a scenic getaway and one of the best viewpoints of the surrounding breathtaking countryside.
Eli Christman/flickr
One of the easiest ways to tell who’s an out-of-towner in Fries is pronunciation. Hint: it’s not pronounced like the food. This Grayson County town is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a population of approximately 500. It’s a place rich in music and outdoor appreciation.
Janet Moore-Coll/flickr
This unincorporated community in Madison County can be accessed via the Old Blue Ridge Turnpike, also known as State Route 670. It’s an incredibly scenic small town, featuring the Robinson River and plenty of farmland. There are plenty of nearby accommodations for the perfect weekend getaway.
Alan Levine/flickr
Phenix can be found in Charlotte County along State Route 40. The small town of just under 250 is full of charm and plenty of Southern hospitality. One of the trademark characteristics of this town are the fire hydrants painted red, white, and blue. It’s the site of frequent parades and a great place to spend an afternoon, weekend, or lifetime.
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