Lewis Fork Wilderness
Lewis Fork Wilderness is a 6,071-acre wilderness area in Smyth County, Virginia. It rises from about 3,265 to 5,729 ft. The nearest town is Troutdale, 3.7 miles away in a straight line.
Lewis Fork Wilderness map
Lewis Fork Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Agency fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.
Common questions
- Camping in Lewis Fork Wilderness is limited to 3 days.
- The maximum group size at Lewis Fork Wilderness is 10.
- Campfires are prohibited in some areas: Prohibited within 250 feet of listed features.
- Troutdale, VA is the nearest town, 3.7 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Lewis Fork Wilderness is about 5,729 ft, and its lowest about 3,265 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Mount Rogers, about 5,729 ft.
Who manages Lewis Fork Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 6,071 | Not on record | 10 | 3 days | Not on record |
Getting to Lewis Fork Wilderness
- Troutdale, VA is the nearest town, 3.7 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Lewis Fork Wilderness
- Fox Creek Trailhead (0.23 mi outside the boundary, 3,465 ft), at 36.6964, -81.5056
- Elk Garden Trailhead (0.36 mi outside the boundary, 3,809 ft), at 36.6586, -81.5945
- Scales Trailhead (0.88 mi outside the boundary, 4,628 ft), at 36.6703, -81.4872
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Lewis Fork Wilderness
- Mount Rogers summit
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-30. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.
Campgrounds in and around Lewis Fork Wilderness
- Fox Creek Horse Camp (0.3 miles outside the boundary): its sites, fees, and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.
- Old Virginia Group Horse Camp (1 mile outside the boundary): its sites, fees, and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.
Public lands next to Lewis Fork Wilderness
- National forestLewis Fork Wilderness lies inside George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
- State parkGrayson Highlands State Park is 0.9 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- Wilderness areaLittle Wilson Creek Wilderness is 1.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- Wilderness areaRaccoon Branch Wilderness is 2.4 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Virginia
- wilderness.net (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- apps.fs.usda.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
The sentences on this page are generated by software from the sourced records above, not written by hand. How this content is made.