About this Location

Facility Overview

The Appalachian Trail VA 623 Parking area is a rustic, open-air roadside trailhead lot situated at the high mountain crest where Virginia State Route 623 (Sharon Springs Road / Burkes Garden Road) crosses Garden Mountain at an elevation near 3,880 feet. Located on the boundary between Tazewell County and Bland County, this unpaved gravel and earthen pull-off provides direct, immediate access to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) as it traverses the divide between the Garden Mountain Wilderness and the Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness.

As an open wilderness turnout, the lot features completely unrestricted vertical clearance, with no height gates or covered overhead structures. This makes it easily accessible for lifted 4x4 trucks, full-size SUVs, camper vans, and rooftop gear-laden expedition vehicles. Space is informal and unstriped, accommodating roughly 6 to 10 vehicles when parked considerately. While standard passenger cars and crossovers can reach this staging area during dry seasons, drivers should expect typical Appalachian mountain gravel conditions, sharp switchbacks, and weather-related ruts along Route 623.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This mountain pass parking location is the premier gateway to some of the most dramatic and storied natural topography in Southwest Virginia:

Appalachian Trail – Southbound to Chestnut Knob: Departing directly from the parking area, hikers can head south along Garden Mountain toward Walker Gap and climb to the Chestnut Knob Shelter (4,409 ft), known for its enclosed stone hut and sweeping panoramic vistas overlooking the entirety of Burke's Garden.
Appalachian Trail – Northbound into Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness: Leading hikers northward into Bland County through deep cove hardwood forests, tumbling headwater streams, and toward the Jenkins Shelter.
Burke's Garden ("God's Thumbprint"): Located just 5 to 7 miles down the northern switchbacks of VA-623, this massive, sunken mountaintop limestone valley is Virginia's highest and most isolated agricultural basin. Known for its Amish homesteads, scenic cycling routes, the Burke's Garden LOVEwork barn quilt, and local country goods at the Burke's Garden General Store.
Back of the Dragon (VA Route 16): Approximately 18 miles to the west in downtown Tazewell, Virginia's legendary 32-mile sports car and motorcycle touring highway features over 300 curves, alongside the Back of the Dragon Welcome Center and Brewery.
Historic Crab Orchard Museum: Located roughly 16 miles northwest in Tazewell, showcasing regional heritage, pioneer settlements, and ancient Clinch Valley history.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicle ingress and egress occur directly off VA Route 623. Depending on your route, road conditions vary:

From the North (Tazewell / US-19 / US-460): Take VA-61 east from Tazewell, turn onto VA-623, and travel through the floor of Burke's Garden before making the winding gravel ascent over Garden Mountain.
From the South (Bland / I-77 / VA-42): Exit Interstate 77 at Bland, travel west along Virginia Route 42 for approximately 10.5 miles, and head north onto VA-623 over Brushy and Garden Mountains. This southern mountain approach is narrow and unpaved across multiple switchbacks.
Public Transit: There is no municipal transit, passenger rail, or fixed-route bus service in this remote national forest corridor. Long-distance Appalachian Trail section and thru-hikers frequently arrange on-demand shuttle pickups through local hostels (such as Saint Luke's Hostel in Burke's Garden) or regional trail angel networks.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Free Trailhead Access: Open public parking with zero day-use fees or parking permits required.
24/7 Availability: Accessible around the clock for sunrise day-treks, day hiking, and multi-day backcountry backpacking excursions.
Unrestricted Headroom: Fully open-air wilderness lot with no overhead barriers or clearance restrictions.
Natural Surface: Compacted dirt and gravel shoulder parking bordered by native hardwood forest and mountain foliage.
Wilderness Environment: Primitive, off-grid setting without utility hookups, trash cans, restrooms, or lighting; visitors must strictly practice "Leave No Trace" ethics.

Ideal For

Appalachian Trail Day Hikers: Outdoor enthusiasts targeting day trips across Garden Mountain and the scenic rim of Burke's Garden.
Backcountry Backpackers: Long-distance hikers staging overnight stays at Chestnut Knob Shelter or traveling through the Jefferson National Forest wilderness complex.
Scenic Road Trippers: Drivers seeking remote Southwest Virginia backroads and high-altitude mountain gap overlooks.
Birdwatchers & Nature Photographers: Birding groups searching for high-altitude warblers, raptors, and spectacular fall foliage along the ridgeline.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Prepare for Cell Dead Zones: Cellular service from all major mobile carriers is extremely unreliable or completely absent in the mountain gaps of Bland and Tazewell counties. Download offline GPS navigation maps before turning off VA-42 or VA-61.
Seasonal Weather Caution: At nearly 3,900 feet above sea level, Garden Mountain experiences sudden snowfall, dense freezing fog, and ice from late autumn through early spring. Winter travel across VA-623 can be hazardous without four-wheel drive and adequate clearance.
Park Compactly: Because parking space along the shoulder is limited, park perpendicular or neatly angled to the road shoulder without impeding through-traffic on Route 623.
Vehicle Security: As with any remote backcountry trailhead, never leave valuables, electronics, or luggage exposed inside your unattended vehicle while on the trail.