Big Walker Lookout, Observation tower in Bland County, United States.
Big Walker Lookout is a steel observation tower on Big Walker Mountain in Bland County, Virginia, rising to about 100 feet (30 m) at an elevation of roughly 3,400 feet (1,040 m). From the platform at the top, visitors can see across the surrounding ridges and into several neighboring states.
The Kime family built the tower in 1947, making it Virginia's first private scenic attraction, near a mountain pass that had already seen military movement during the Civil War. The pass had served as a key route through the mountains for decades before the tower was built.
On weekends between May and October, bluegrass music and craft demonstrations take place at the site, where visitors can also meet regional authors. These gatherings give a direct sense of the artistic traditions that still shape life in the surrounding mountain communities.
Reaching the observation platform means climbing a staircase inside the tower, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. Morning hours tend to offer the clearest views and a quieter visit overall.
The site marks the starting point of a Virginia Civil War Trails driving route focused on an 1863 military action near Wytheville. Following this route from here links the view from the tower to a very specific chapter of the war that played out just a short drive away.
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