Welcome to Highland County
![Highland County Overlook]()
The Confederate Breastworks overlook on US 250 looking into Highland County
Highland County, Virginia is a remote and beatiful area that is often overlooked. While the frequent claim that it has the highest mean elevation of any county east of the Mississippi is not true, with a large percentage of its land above 3000 feet, it does make it into the top 20 (at #16, 2832 feet - Source:
County Highpointers Association). This high elevation gives Highland County a climate more akin to areas much further north. In fact, the county is often considered the southernmost maple syrup producing region in the country and its Maple Festival in March is its number one attraction.
As for exploring the county, just driving its roads is enough for many but parts of the county are within the border of
George Washington National Forest. Most of the other public land consists of Virginia's
Highland Wildlife Management Area.
I created this album to feature some of the beautiful scenes found along the county's few roads. If you happen to have visited this area, please add pictures of your own or just leave a comment. Thank you.
More Information
![Jack Mountain]()
The ridge of Jack Mountain at sunset
A search for Highland County now would likely turn up many articles about the plans to place tall wind turbines on some of its high ridges. Debates are frequent in the county as to whether clean electricity and extra dollars outweigh the negatives of ruined ridgeline views and possible harm to wildlife.
This Site contains links to many articles on the wind farm.
Golden Eagles in Highland?
Birders in Highland County have observed golden eagles year-round in the county, leading to speculation that the bird may be breeding there. If so, this would be the first case of breeding golden eagles in the southern Appalachians in many decades.
Read the article
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