Laid-back rural community set along the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains
In their song “Little Heart Racer,” Fancy Gap perfectly encapsulates the rural Southwest Virginia community that gave the country- leaning rock band its name: “I’m on a back road down in Carroll County, just lightening my load and the summers are as slow as they should be.” Local real estate agent BJ Watkins of Fancy Gap Mountain Realty echoes that sentiment, saying residents seek out Fancy Gap for its easygoing atmosphere and picturesque scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains and rolling Piedmont hills: “When you come out here, you’re going at a slow-moving pace,” says Watkins, a Carroll County native. “It’s laid-back and peaceful — ain’t nothing out here but mountain air.”
Cradled along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Fancy Gap blends its tranquil setting with access to outdoor recreation and local eateries and shops brimming with Appalachian character. Proximity to North Carolina — the community sits only 8 miles from the state line — further offers accessibility to small-town attractions and cultural events. And with Interstate 77 serving as the town’s western border, residents have easy highway access to facilitate travel to more distant destinations.
Mountain retreats for primary and secondary residences
A majority of the rural retreats tucked within the mountainside are log cabins and lodge-style cottages, emulating their natural settings. Ranches and farmhouse-inspired builds round out the housing industry. “Our bread and butter are the Piedmont view houses — it’s like our version of an oceanfront home,” Watkins says. “You can see Winston Salem on a clear, sunny day. Some mountain homes claim they have a 60-mile view.” Single-family homes typically price between the low-$100,000s and the mid-$600,000s. Generous parcels of land are also available for purchase, offering opportunities for custom construction.
Watkins says that most homebuyers are people hailing from nearby North Carolina cities like Raleigh and Charlotte looking for a rural getaway, though more have been making Fancy Gap their primary residence in the past five years. “About 95 percent of home sales are out-of-towners,” he says. “They’re looking for a mountain retreat only about two-and-a-half hours from the city where they still have the small town living and backwoods feel. Actually, Fancy Gap the band is just two guys that came from Raleigh to write songs and loved the area so much they named their band after it.”
Drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway and access to abundant outdoor recreation
Proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway is a major draw of Fancy Gap, Watkins says. The road stretches 469 miles along the mountain ranges from Virginia to North Carolina, weaving through towns and woodlands. Peppered with scenic overlooks, the parkway is the most visited unit of the National Park system and is the longest linear park in the nation. “The Blue Ridge Parkway is the gem here, and the Fancy Gap exit is one of the most visited overlooks on the drive,” Watkins says. “People come through on the weekend to take a drive and visit the stores and restaurants along the way.”
Other recreational attractions include Devil’s Den Nature Preserve, a 280-acre tract consisting of hardwood forests topped by a cleared plateau. Locals can take the moderate 1.5-mile looped trail to catch a glimpse of wildlife and panoramic Piedmont vistas. The nearby New River is a destination for tubing and kayaking, while the New River Trail system is popular for hiking and horseback riding. Golfers can practice their swing at Skyland Lakes Golf Club, which offers public tee times.
A taste of local character through unique shops and eateries
Establishments in Fancy Gap reflect the community’s small-town mountain feel. Live music performances sometimes serve as a lively backdrop for visitors of the Fancy Gap Country Store, a laid-back eatery serving barbecue and ice cream that opened in 2023. Across the street, outdoor seating and cozy interiors welcome guests to The Gap Deli at the Parkway, which offers American comfort foods. Gift shops such as Calamity Jane’s and Carolyne’s Crafts and Gifts dot Fancy Gap Highway, filling shelves with handmade crafts and goods steeped in Appalachian appeal, such as quilts, jams, antiques and more. “A lot of people also love to spend a day in Mayberry,” Watkins says of Mount Airy, North Carolina, the town that inspired The Andy Griffith Show. “They just revamped the downtown area, which has tons of small-town shops on Main Street, plus there are several wineries and breweries as attractions.” Other neighboring communities, like Hillsville, less than 10 miles north of Fancy Gap, have grocery stores like Food Lion and larger retailers.
Strong academics in Carroll County public schools
Students in Fancy Gap attend schools within the Carroll County Public School District, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Serving prekindergarten through fifth grade, Fancy Gap Elementary School receives an A-minus overall score and is ranked the best public elementary school in Carroll County for its academics and teachers. Kids may continue to the B-rated Carroll County Middle School and Carroll County High School, which gets a B-minus grade. Home of the Cavaliers, Carroll County High School offers a strong Career and Technical Education program, which emphasizes job-specific education based on experiential learning. Students may choose to pursue one of 16 pathways including Agriculture, STEM, Health Sciences and more.
Proximity to music venues in Southwest Virginia
The region celebrates its deep Appalachian roots through music, showcased by the many music venues dotting the Southwest Virginia corridor. Locals who enjoy bluegrass and country tunes may find themselves on The Crooked Road, a 330-mile driving trail that connects 9 major music venues and many more affiliated venues through Southwest Virginia. Regarded as Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, the route runs right through Carroll County, linking to destinations like The Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, about 16 miles southwest, and the Floyd Country Store in Floyd, 35 miles northeast. “Folks pass through Fancy Gap to get to the bigger venues,” Watkins says, “it’s like we’re on the outskirts of the party.”
Major routes connect to North Carolina
While U.S. Route 52, or Fancy Gap Highway, serves as a main thoroughfare through town, the community is also bound by Interstate 77 to the west. The major artery connects residents north to Interstate 81 and south to Charlotte, just over 100 miles away. Route 52 links directly to Mount Airy and Winston-Salem, and locals have many airports to choose from, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
