Gore offers rural, secluded living near the Virginia-West Virginia state line
Many residents of Gore don’t see their neighbors often, but it’s not because they’re unfriendly. The sprawling lots, hilly terrain and dense woods of this community bordering West Virginia naturally put some space between homes and homeowners. For example, resident Mike Goodwin lives on 6 acres, with his two neighbors on 20 acres of their own. “My son says I live at the end of the world,” Goodwin says jokingly. However, the quiet seclusion and access to land are what many enjoy about this rural area northwest of Winchester. Goodwin, for example, has used his land to transition from gardening to keeping bees.
Homes come with lots of land, mountain views
Houses spread throughout Gore often come with spacious properties. Ranch homes on flat, open lots offer views of the Appalachian Mountains while trees surround secluded cabins and A-frame houses. A few small communities of new traditional homes have been developed since 2024. Gore’s median price is $475,000.
Hiking into West Virginia and camping around Cove Lake
Gore is home to several trailheads for the Tuscarora Trail, a 250-mile hiking route through the Appalachian Mountains between Virginia and Pennsylvania. The trailhead off Adams Road can fit a couple of parked vehicles, and hikers can tramp down a path of rocks and moss beds, reaching a wooden shelter where they can camp for the night.
At The Cove Campground, tent and RV campsites surround Cove Lake. Campers can fish and swim in the lake, fire rifles and pistols at the shooting range and ride four-wheelers down wooded trails. Southeast of Cove Lake, a playground, swings and picnic tables sit on a hilltop at Aspen Park, with mountains rising to the west.
Nearby Frederick County Public Schools campuses
Children can start at Gainesboro Elementary School, which receives a C grade from Niche. Older students may go to Frederick County Middle School, graded a C-plus, and B-rated James Wood High School. James Wood High offers more than 20 Advanced Placement classes, including AP Studio Art and AP Environmental Science.
Most retail is in nearby Cross Junction, Winchester
U.S. Route 50 passes through Gore, forming a small commercial center. A post office, Capon Valley Bank and Gore Grocery line the highway. Analog gas pumps stand in front of Gore Grocery, a store where people go to pick up snacks and drinks or shoot the breeze with the clerk while sipping coffee. In the neighboring community of Cross Junction, Shawnee Springs Market carries meat, produce and pantry items, along with a display case full of fresh-baked desserts. A drive along Route 50 toward Winchester leads past Hayfield Family Restaurant, a wood-paneled diner serving country ham in the morning and beef liver in the evening. Big-box stores such as Walmart and The Home Depot are in Winchester, less than 10 miles from Gore.
Highway leads to West Virginia, Winchester
Route 50 winds through the community, connecting to West Virginia and Winchester. From there, drivers can get on Interstate 81 to travel throughout the western side of Virginia or northward to Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
