Glen Alton -

And Check out Glen Alton Hydro

From the 1930s through the 1980s, Glen Alton was the farm and vacation retreat of a banker from nearby Pearisburg. The farm was acquired by the U.S. Forest Service in 1999. The Forest Service plans to restore the farm and create a public recreation area that will include interpretive displays, picnic areas, trails and overnight lodging.

The historic Glen Alton property, which is located north of Pembroke in the Eastern Divide Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest, is an outstanding and underutilized natural and historic resource for our region. 

The Glen Alton site is characterized by a gently rolling terrain and possesses a variety of scenic, natural and cultural resources including mountain views, wetlands, rivers, ponds and streams and the historic lodge, barns and caretaker's house which date back to the early 20th Century. 

The property is owned by the U.S. Forest Service. It has been in use for many years by local residents for hunting, fishing, bird watching and, more recently, wedding receptions, but it is not sufficiently developed to accommodate larger groups of visitors wishing to explore the pristine and rustic scenery which abounds in this county.

Hide   Show First Previous Pause or Play Next Last IMG_1168 IMG_1173 IMG_1317 DSC00402 DSC00402 DSC00403 DSC00404 DSC00406 DSC00407 DSC00408 DSC00409 IMG_1319 IMG_1325 IMG_1332 IMG_1340 IMG_1341 IMG_1348 IMG_1352 IMG_1356 IMG_1361 IMG_1366 IMG_1367 IMG_1368 IMG_1379 IMG_1381 IMG_1383 IMG_1385 IMG_1386 IMG_1388 IMG_1389 IMG_1391 IMG_1392 IMG_1394 IMG_1396 IMG_1398 IMG_1401 IMG_1406 IMG_1409 IMG_1410

• Glen Alton is open dawn to dusk. There is no overnight use.
• For those interested in camping, White Rocks Campground is only four (4) miles away. It is open May through November.
• There is no charge to visit Glen Alton.
• There is a portable toilet on the property.
• There is no drinking water.
• Parking is available outside the property gate. Vehicles are not allowed within the gate.
• Much of the property is wheelchair accessible.

Directions to Glen Alton
(from Blacksburg)

Go west on 460 through Pembroke. Continue approximately 2 miles past Pembroke. (If you cross the New River Bridge you have gone too far).

Turn right on SR 635. Go approximately 13 miles.

Turn to your left on Glen Alton Road (SR722). (Nettle Hollow Road is on the right)

Go across a small bridge, then follow the road to the right. Park at gate.

Fees for Access: None

From the War Spur Trail, continue north
on Rt. 613 for 5.0 miles to Rt. 635. Turn left
and go 2.6 miles to Rt. 722/Glen Alton Road.
Turn left onto Rt. 722/Glen Alton Road and
proceed 0.1 miles, crossing the bridge;
turn right and travel an additional 0.4
miles to the parking lot.