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Introduction

The United States Congress designated the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness (map) in 1984 and it now has a total of 5,458 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Virginia and is managed by the Forest Service.

Description

Adjoining Grayson Highlands State Park, Little Wilson Creek Wilderness is within the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Elevations range from 3,220 feet near the southern border to 4,857 near the northern boundary. The vegetation is primarily upland hardwoods with sugar maple, beech, yellow birch, and some stands of red spruce and Fraser fir. Deer and bear, grouse and quail, and numerous small mammals and birds are found here. Both Big Wilson and Little Wilson Creeks contain native trout.

The wilderness includes 19 miles of maintained trails, including about 0.5 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T., FT #1). Trail information is available on National Geographic-Trails Illustrated Map # 786 (Mount Rogers).

Little Wilson Creek Wilderness is located in Grayson County in southwest Virginia. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.

Planning to Visit the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness?

• Print a fact sheet
• General things to consider when visiting any wilderness
• Regulations
• Contact the Forest Service
• Visit the National Forest wilderness website

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.