The Ultimate Winter Treat in Virginia Is This County-Wide Maple Syrup Festival

Highland County, Virginia, is the least populated county in the state. Tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains near the West Virginia border, it's a secluded, peaceful place. Known as "Virginia's sweet spot," this quiet mountain region is one of the southernmost places to produce maple syrup, and it comes alive every March for a very special reason: the Highland County Maple Festival.

The Highland County Maple Festival, established in 1959, draws tens of thousands of visitors for two weekends to honor the process of tapping maple trees for sap and using it to create syrup. Sugar camp tours allow visitors to see the operation first-hand, learn its history, and understand the techniques used. The festival also has arts and crafts, entertainment, and delicious food, like pancakes, buckwheat cakes, and maple doughnuts. I think touring a sugar camp, listening to live music, and eating pancakes topped with pure maple sounds like the perfect wintertime treat!

The festival is county-wide, with locations and events dispersed throughout. The main points of interest are West Main Street in Monterey, Mansion House Road in McDowell, and Blue Grass Valley Road in Blue Grass. Several maple sugar camps participate and welcome visitors, including Puffenbarger's Sugar Orchard, Tonoloway Farm, Rexrode's Sugar Orchard, and Mill Gap Farms. Most events are free to attend and are outdoors; comfortable footwear and layers of warm clothes are recommended.

The festival has received widespread recognition. In 1999, the Library of Congress designated it a Local Legacy, and in 2014, the governor of Virginia named it the state's official maple festival. The festival also has a major economic impact, generating significant revenue for the county.

For more information, visit the Highland County Maple Festival website and Highland County Facebook page. The 2025 festival brochure succinctly summarizes this year's meals, entertainment, arts and crafts, and sugar camps.

Highland County is known as Virginia's Little Switzerland because of its breathtaking landscape views. The area has several beautiful trails, including the McDowell Battlefield Trail and the Fort Edward Johnson Trail.

Highland County also has unique attractions, like Trimble Knob, the remnant of a 35 million-year-old volcano in the area. The Sounding Knob Fire Tower takes visitors up 100 stairs to see spectacular views. The Sugar Tree Country Store sells old-fashioned toys, jams, butter, maple syrup, candy, and gifts.

If you're interested in visiting Highland County, consider staying at the Blue View Lodge, a three-bedroom Airbnb home with stunning mountain views. It accommodates six guests and is only a 10-minute walk to Monterey, Virginia.