About this Location

Facility Overview

Situated in the heart of Virginia’s highest and most picturesque valley—famously referred to as ‘God’s Thumbprint’—the parking facility at Burke's Garden Telephone Co. (7322 Burkes Garden Rd, Tazewell, VA) serves local residents, telecommunications service patrons, and countryside explorers. The parking area consists of a wide, open-air surface lot with straightforward ground-level parking. Because it is completely open without overhead structures, decks, or parking barrier arms, it offers unlimited vertical clearance. This makes the property exceptionally accommodating for standard passenger vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, agricultural haulers, SUVs, high-roof conversion vans, and recreational vehicles navigating Southwestern Virginia’s scenic backcountry.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Burke’s Garden is renowned for its pastoral beauty, historic farmsteads, and tranquil, bowl-shaped topography ringed by Garden Mountain. Parking in this central community corridor places visitors within easy reach of key local destinations and regional sights:

Burke’s Garden Community Center & The Parsonage: Located immediately adjacent or steps away, hosting community gatherings, homesteader meetings, and the annual Varmint Half Marathon & 5K finish lines.
Appalachian Trail (Garden Mountain Overlook): Just a short 5-to-10-minute drive up the gap, connecting hikers and backpackers to premier ridgeline trails overlooking the entire valley.
Burke’s Garden General Store & Amish Countryside: Within a 2-to-5-minute drive, offering homemade baked goods, fresh local produce, quilts, and valley gifts.
Back of the Dragon (Route 16): Approximately a 25-minute drive down toward historic Tazewell, this famous 32-mile touring route draws thousands of sports car and motorcycle enthusiasts each year.
Historic Crab Orchard Museum: Located roughly 18 miles (a 30-minute drive) away near downtown Tazewell, showcasing regional Appalachian heritage and historic cabins.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the lot is straightforward via Virginia State Route 623 (Burkes Garden Road), the primary paved mountain road cutting through the valley. Vehicles enter directly off Burkes Garden Road with unobstructed lines of sight in both directions, making ingress and egress seamless even during community events like the Fall Festival or local road races. Drivers traveling from Bluefield or Richlands generally take US-19 / US-460 to Route 61, turning onto Route 623 across the mountain crest. Given the isolated rural nature of Burke’s Garden, there are no public transit lines, commuter rail, or bus stops serving the area; personal vehicle transportation, motorcycling, or cycling are required to access the facility.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Easy ground-level parking on a level gravel/paved surface with ample turn-around room.
Unrestricted Overhead Headroom: No clearance bars or ceilings, allowing oversized trucks, trailered vehicles, and roof-racked adventure rigs to park safely.
Free Parking: Open, complimentary guest parking during typical valley visits without gated barriers or pay stations.
Serene Rural Setting: Wide perimeter space surrounded by pastureland, mountain views, and quiet country roads.

Ideal For

Outdoor Adventurers & Appalachian Trail Explorers: Staging base for hikers, road cyclists, and trail runners exploring the high-altitude valley routes.
Local Community & Event Attendees: Drivers attending civic gatherings, church functions, and annual community festivals at the central hub.
Motorcycle & Sports Car Tourers: Touring drivers tracing scenic backroads between Tazewell, Rocky Gap, and the Appalachian highlands.
Utility & Telephone Service Clients: Customers visiting Burke’s Garden Telephone Company offices for billing, customer service, or broadband assistance.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Cellular connectivity can be intermittent or nonexistent when descending into the bowl of Burke's Garden. Drivers are strongly advised to download offline GPS maps before beginning their journey across Garden Mountain. During winter months, mountain pass sections on Route 623 can experience snow, black ice, and freezing fog, making all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive beneficial. Additionally, always share the road attentively with farm equipment, horse-drawn buggies, wildlife, and cyclists traveling the valley ring road.