Thunder Ridge Wilderness
Thunder Ridge Wilderness is a 2,427-acre wilderness area in Bedford County, Virginia. It rises from about 1,295 to 4,180 ft. The nearest town is Glasgow, 4.2 miles away in a straight line.
Thunder Ridge Wilderness map
Thunder Ridge 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 Thunder Ridge Wilderness is limited to 21 days.
- The maximum group size at Thunder Ridge Wilderness is 10.
- Glasgow, VA is the nearest town, 4.2 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Thunder Ridge Wilderness is about 4,180 ft, and its lowest about 1,295 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Thunder Ridge Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 2,427 | Not on record | 10 | 21 days | Glenwood/Pedlar Ranger District, 540-291-2188 |
Getting to Thunder Ridge Wilderness
- Glasgow, VA is the nearest town, 4.2 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Thunder Ridge Wilderness
- Petites Gap A.T. (inside the boundary, 2,358 ft), at 37.5594, -79.4588
- Sulphur Springs (inside the boundary, 1,443 ft), at 37.5696, -79.4634
- Apple Orchard Falls & Parkers Gap Road (0.72 mi outside the boundary, 3,064 ft), at 37.5206, -79.5266
- Belfast (0.85 mi outside the boundary, 1,035 ft), at 37.5711, -79.4916
- Apple Orchard Falls & Blue Ridge Parkway (1 mi outside the boundary, 3,473 ft), at 37.5080, -79.5236
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Thunder Ridge Wilderness
- Hunting Spring spring
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-30.
Public lands next to Thunder Ridge Wilderness
- National forestThunder Ridge Wilderness lies inside George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
- National Park Service unitThunder Ridge Wilderness borders Blue Ridge Parkway, a National Park Service unit.
- Wilderness areaThunder Ridge Wilderness borders James River Face Wilderness.
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.