In the heart of the Blue Ridge, Carroll County is a small-town mountain escape where time slows down, the air feels a little cooler, and the views stay with you long after you leave.
Start your visit at the Blue Ridge Plateau Regional Visitor Center, tucked inside the Southwest Virginia Farmers Market at Virginia I-77 Exit 14. It’s more than a visitor center. It’s a welcoming porch to the region. Meet the people who know these mountains best, discover what’s happening nearby, pick up local recommendations, and take a break while browsing fresh produce and regional goods.
One of the best parts of Carroll County is that every community brings its own charm and hidden gems.
Perched along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 199.5, Fancy Gap welcomes visitors with mountain views that seem to stretch forever and creativity around every corner. Step off the Parkway and, within minutes, you can settle into a cozy place to stay, enjoy a good meal, fill your tank, and discover unique local merchant shops.
Follow Route 52 through rolling farmland and quiet backroads. Stop at the roadside produce stands in Cana. Let the music guide your journey along The Crooked Road, with stops that celebrate the sounds and stories of the region, including Fancy Gap Country Store, a designated affiliate location helping keep mountain music traditions alive with community jams every Thursday. Walk through stories of Historic Hillsville Main Street where we still keep local history alive.
This is a place built on simple moments and deep roots.
Slow down. Stay awhile. Find your cool.
(P.S Don’t forget to take a picture with the many LOVE signs and tag us @itscoolerinthemountains & @lovecarrollva)
Visitor Information: https://www.itscoolerinthemtns.com/
Community & Local Information: https://www.lovecarroll.com/
