Whitetop Laurel

Whitetop Laurel is a protected wilderness area spanning the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia. The landscape features a network of creeks and streams winding through hardwood forests thick with flowering rhododendrons and native shrubs.

A railroad operated through this region in the early 1900s to transport logs from a nearby sawmill, leaving a mark on the landscape for several decades. The forest has since regenerated, though traces of that industrial past remain visible to those who explore the trails.

The Virginia Creeper Trail and Appalachian Trail converge in this area, making it a central location for outdoor recreation and environmental education.

The area can be reached through several entry points along US Route 58 to the north and Virginia Route 726 to the south. Parking is available at the main access areas, and trails connect different sections for flexible route planning.

The creeks here hold a special water quality classification and provide habitat for hellbender salamanders, North America's largest salamander species. These rare creatures are rarely seen but indicate healthy water conditions in the streams.