This Virginia County Feels Far Away From Everywhere In The Best Way Possible

West of Shenandoah National Park and deep within the Allegheny Mountains you'll find quiet Bath County, Virginia. The area is surrounded by George Washington Forest and boasts some of the best natural springs in the state. Add in a population of just 4,000 and beautiful rivers, and it's easy to see why this rural area offers an easygoing escape. Named for the English resort city of Bath, Bath County entices visitors to slow down and connect with nature. From kayaking, swimming, hiking, and fly-fishing to enjoying a stay at America’s very first resort, a trip to Bath is one you’ll want to make again and again. Here are our favorite things to do on your next visit to Bath County, Virginia.

What To Do

Soak In Natural Mineral Springs

The town of Warm Springs in Bath County is home to a naturally-heated mineral spring that has drawn travelers to the region for hundreds of years. The mineral spring established the town as a tourist destination as early as the 18th century and led to the development of America's first report, The Omni Homestead, which still operates today. Warm Spring also became the home of the country’s first spa thanks to soaking pools built around the natural warm spring back in 1761. Versions of these soaking pools (albeit more modern ones) still are a key attraction in Bath. Book a 50-minute soak at The Omni Homestead (you can sign up for a family session or an adult session) and enjoy the water’s mineral goodness. 

Head for the Hills

With more than 100 miles of hiking trails throughout the county, there's an option for every level of hiker to explore Bath by foot. Check out the steep 3-mile Flag Rock Loop Trail or the easy 2-mile Blue Suck Falls trail which leads you to a waterfall and connects to many longer trails at Douthat State Park. The state park also boasts a 50-acre lake with a swimming beach. 

Sample the Local Cider

Head to Troddenvale at Oakley Farm where Will Hodges, a Bath County native, and his wife Cornelia, produce cider from their small apple orchard. Troddenvale’s rustic chic tasting room—The Cider Barn—draws a crowd on Fridays and Saturdays when they offer small plates in addition to their cider tastings. Don’t miss the local cheese board.

troddenvale.com, 170 Oakley Farm Ln, Warm Springs, VA 24484

Take a Fly-Fishing Lesson

Whether you’ve never cast before or you’re a seasoned pro, taking the time to learn the sport (or art, depending on who you’re talking to) of fly-fishing is a meditative experience. Some say fly-fishing requires just enough focus to prevent your mind from wandering and not enough to make it unenjoyable. Several outfitters will take you out on Bath’s Cowpasture River to learn the basics or finesse your hard-earned skills. Wesley Hodges’s guides are excellent resources. 

wesleyhodgesflyfishing.com, 191 Bridge St, Eagle Rock, VA 24085

Visit a Local Art Gallery

Part of what makes his corner of the state so special is the artists who are drawn to its landscapes. Each fall, painters bring their canvases to Bath County for the annual Bath County Plein Air Festival. For seven days, plein air painters celebrate the area's tradition of outdoor painting. You can view some of the works at galleries throughout the county. Pop into the Warm Springs Gallery, just down the road from Troddenvale, and admire the paintings alongside sculptures and mixed media pieces as well. 

warmspringsgallery.com, 12 Katydid Trl, Warm Springs, VA 24484

Get Out on the Water

Virginia’s cleanest river, the Cowpasture River, is a tributary of the larger Jackson River, and it's the perfect setting for an afternoon spent in kayak or canoe. Alleghany Outdoors can get you set up with a boat and offers guided paddles of varying lengths. offers a beautiful way to enjoy some time in nature. 

alleghanyoutdoors.com, 1903 Dressler Dr, Covington, VA 24426

Where To Eat 

Grab Lunch at Warm Springs Gallery Café 

You might come to Warm Springs Gallery for the art alone, but you will definitely want to stay for the lunch, served upstairs off a charming garden shop. Order off the menu or simply ask the cook to toss up a salad with whatever is fresh. Enjoy your meal out on the balcony and don’t forget to oder the iced tea. 

warmspringsgallery.com/garden-cafe, 12 Katydid Trl, Warm Springs, VA 24484

Experience Waterwheel Restaurant

Housed in a restored, century-old gristmill, the Waterwheel Restaurant is one of Bath’s most notable dining destinations since 1973. It's a popular farm-to-table, fine-dining experience for locals, second homeowners, and weekend visitors alike. You can expect dishes centered around local fare, like smoked mountain trout and duck confit, as well as Southern classics, like shrimp and grits and sweetcorn chowder. Order a glass of the restaurant’s Pinot Noir, exclusively created for the restaurant in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. 

waterwheelva.com, 124 Old Mill Rd, Warm Springs, VA 24484

Where To Stay

Get a Taste of Summer Camp

Fort Lewis Lodge & Farm is a multi-generation, family-run lodge reminiscent of the best sleepaway camps, with a twice-daily bell calling guests to homemade breakfasts and dinners. But to label Fort Lewis merely as a camp is a disservice: The guest rooms in its historic lodge, log cabins, and new cottages skew more luxury than rustic. Set on a sweeping 3,000-acre working cattle farm, Fort Lewis, which only hosts several dozen guests at a time, offers an unbelievable disconnect from the rest of the world. Spend your days swimming, kayaking, biking, enjoying the Scandinavian-style wood-fired sauna, or getting lost in a book beside sweeping meadows and mountain views. 

www.fortlewislodge.com, 811 Millstone Ln, Millboro, VA 24460

Stay at America's First Resort

The Omni Homestead, a grand dame of a hotel, is lauded as America’s very first resort. The property's story began in 1760 when it opened as an 18-room, wooden hotel. Over the years the property has evolved, weathering many chapters of history and the complexities of time. Yet through it all, the hotel has endured as a preeminent resort getaway. Over its more than 250-year history, it's hosted a staggering 24 presidents. Today the Omni Homestead is a 2,300-acre, full-service resort complete with a spa, pool, golf course, and multiple on-site restaurants. 

www.omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia, 7696 Sam Snead Hwy, Hot Springs, VA 24445