Exploring Floyd, VA: A Quiet Mountain Getaway
Floyd, Virginia is a peaceful mountain town with plenty of personality — a mix of artsy shops, bluegrass history, and a laid-back vibe.
On the Way to Floyd
Augusta Natural Springs Wetlands
Our first stop was the Augusta Natural Springs Wetlands in the George Washington National Forest. The easy walking loop winds through beautiful marshlands and carries a quiet, “old retreat” charm — the kind you can still feel from its days as a 1850s resort that bottled natural spring water. Archie and Saydie were immediately alert, ears perked at the sounds of birds and noses sniffing all the new scents of the wetlands.
Natural Bridge Park
Next, we visited Natural Bridge State Park. The rock formation is spectacular, and the history is fascinating — George Washington surveyed it, and Thomas Jefferson bought the land out of admiration. The main riverside path is wide and easy to walk, though you’ll need to navigate some steep steps to reach it. There are many more trails we didn’t get a chance to explore, but I would love to revisit and see them another time.
Arriving in Floyd
We checked into our Airbnb — a converted farmer’s grain storage building — and it was incredibly charming. With a fully equipped kitchen, we decided to cook most of our meals and stocked up on groceries during a stop in Christiansburg on the way.
For coffee and quick bites, we discovered Red Rooster Coffee, just a few minutes away. The lattes were excellent, the sourdough bagel hit the spot, and their grab-and-go salads made perfect picnic lunches for our hikes.
Black Ridge Trail Hike
We spent some time hiking the Black Ridge Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Because the area has black bears, I opted for the shorter 1-mile loop rather than the longer 3–10 mile trails that go far out into the mountains without cell service.
The trail was steep in sections with plenty of rocks, branches, and logs to navigate, but it was well marked and very peaceful. Archie and Saydie were full of energy, sniffing every new scent and pausing to watch the wildlife around us.
Wine With a View
After hiking, we visited a local vineyard offering a complimentary tasting. I picked up a couple of their red wines plus some Christmas gifts from the small shop attached to the tasting room.
The property has several gazebos overlooking the valley and vineyards — an ideal spot to enjoy lunch, read, or just sit in the quiet mountain air. Archie and Saydie seemed to enjoy it just as much, gazing out at the landscape and taking in all the new sights and smells.
A Cozy End to the Day
When we returned to our Airbnb, the pups made themselves right at home. Archie immediately claimed the couch with his classic nose-up, pillow-perfect nap, while Saydie settled in with her favorite bone — completely content. They were totally exhausted, and it was the perfect wind-down after a full day in the mountains.
Before Leaving Town: Cocoa Mia
Before leaving Floyd, we stopped at Cocoa Mia, a small chocolate shop with top-notch truffles and the best hot chocolate I’ve had in ages. I picked up a couple of assorted truffle boxes as gifts. They also have an adjoining restaurant with limited hours — worth checking before you go.