Scenic views and strong community ties define this mountain retreat
Enveloped in a sea of lush green forests, Meadows of Dan is a rural community folded into the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. The small village draws thousands of visitors to the area every year due to its location along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the longest linear park in the country and most-visited sector of the National Parkway. In addition to the Parkway, attractions that celebrate the local culture, landscape and history include wineries and Mabry Mill, a historic mill that has become a landmark of the Appalachian region. The natural setting is also a major draw for residents looking for a tranquil environment blended with a vibrant sense of community. Members of the Wild Women, a local women’s club that has been meeting for over 30 years, shared their thoughts about Meadows of Dan. Most of them say that while the picturesque scenery drew them to the area, the community plays a large part in what they love about the town. “It’s unbeatable how beautiful it is,” says Mary Day, a full-time Meadows of Dan resident since 2020. “It’s the view that brought us here and the community that keeps us here.” A lively town center puts the deep-rooted rural culture on display, complete with rustic country stores, antique shops and locales brimming in Appalachian flair. Additionally, the community prides itself on its welcoming atmosphere and celebrates its heritage and diversity through a range of cultural events. “You hear about the come-heres as opposed to the been-heres, and we’ve never been treated like come-heres,” says another Wild Women member. “Everybody is very gracious and there’s such a diversity in the community, and so many things to participate in. That makes us never want to leave.”
Rustic cabins and custom homes with sweeping mountain views
Tranquil mountain retreats pepper the mountainside as if carved into the slopes, offering breathtaking vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond. Log cabins, rustic ranch-style homes and farmhouse-inspired builds make up most of the architectural styles here, though more contemporary examples are sprouting up as open lots of land provide opportunities for sprawling, custom new construction. Sizes range from minimalistic cabins to expansive estates on larger properties. Farmettes are also common, a term typically describing residential farms on smaller acreage used to support a hobby farming lifestyle. Prices can range from the low-$100,000s to $2 million; the median for real estate in Meadows of Dan hovers around $325,000. Price often depends not only on home size but also property size, and many open lots are also available for new construction.
Scenic hikes, views and hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a main destination for tourists and locals alike. The scenic route spans 469 miles through the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting Shenandoah National Park in the north and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the south. Offering several overlooks and plentiful access to hiking trails, the parkway offers year-round views of the sweeping mountain vistas and pastoral landscapes. The area boasts numerous hiking trails that range in difficulty, from easy strolls to vigorous hikes. Nearby trails and mountain summits include the Buffalo Mountain, named after its hump silhouette, and Rocky Knob. Campgrounds dot the surrounding natural area, and anglers fish in the nearby bodies of water such as the Dan River, which flows through the community.
Those who have driven along the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwest Virginia will recognize Mabry Mill, a picturesque wooden mill that is an iconic landmark of Appalachia and the Blue Ridge Mountains. While currently closed for renovations, the mill offers cultural demonstrations and reenactments like basket weaving and apple butter making.
Strong academics in Patrick County Public Schools
Meadows of Dan students may attend Patrick County Public Schools, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Kids may begin their education at Meadows of Dan Elementary School, which covers prekindergarten through seventh grade and earns an A-minus. Eighth through twelfth grade students may attend Patrick County High School, rated a B. The high school offers a robust variety of academic, athletic and extracurricular programs that allow students to get involved in a range of interests. Unique programs include a high-performing robotics club and marching band.
A vibrant arts community with creativity and history throughout
Though Meadows of Dan maintains its rural, spaced-out feel, the community has a varied and lively calendar of social events. “It’s not an amusement park, you know, there isn’t really entertainment,” Day says. “You have to find your own entertainment, and you can get involved as much or as little as you want. But there are so many things to be a part of; it’s a very artsy community and there’s a very rich music culture, and the hiking and outdoors are just beautiful.” While music events seem to spring up spontaneously throughout the community, the Crooked Road Music Trail fosters a musical atmosphere by connecting major venues across the southwest region. The Meadows of Dan Folk Fair takes place every third Saturday in August, complete with live music, local artisans and food vendors. Other seasonal events include an annual Christmas parade and Pancake Days hosted by the volunteer fire department.
Meadows of Dan is also known for its collection of rock churches, built by Reverend Robert Childress in the early half of the 1900s. Crafted from the natural stone and quartz of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the churches stand as a testament to the architecture and religious history of the area, and continue to serve as a legacy to the faith and diversity of the mountain community. The Reverend’s story is immortalized in Richard C. Davids’ book “The Man Who Moved a Mountain.”
Poor Farmers Market and antique stores reflect local character
Meadows of Dan is anchored by a quaint town center on Jeb Stuart Highway, which juts out from U.S. Highway 58. Rustic shops, antique stores and locales such as Poor Farmers Market and Jane’s Country Café create a vibrant commercial hub. Selling local produce, handmade goods and gifts, Poor Farmers Market has been open 365 days a year for over 40 years and has become a local stalwart. Other longtime staples include Nancy’s Candy Company, which opened in 1998. Local flair is on display at Poppy’s, an antique store with a unique selection of books, jewelry, apparel and yarns. Owner of Poor Farmer’s Market and lifelong Meadows of Dan resident Felicia Shelor says the community embraces new businesses but wants to maintain a sense of small-town, rural individuality. “We’re undeveloped and we really want it to stay that way,” she says. “We don’t want too much development because we want to keep our character and not look like every other place in America.”
For national grocery stores and other conveniences like pharmacies, locals must head 16 miles north to Floyd or about 14 miles southeast to Stuart. Here, residents can find Food Lion, CVS and more. “I don’t ever go to Floyd or Stuart, which are about equidistant from Meadows of Dan, without at least two places to go to, and usually three,” Day says. “I plan ahead, consolidate my trips and do it once a week or so to load up.”
Additional destinations include nearby wineries such as Villa Appalachia and Chateau Morissette for tastings and tours, and Primland, a luxury resort perched on 12,000 acres of protected land that boasts premier golfing, spas, fine dining and more.
Car travel is essential for daily needs and medical care
The community is highly car-dependent, as homes and amenities are spread out. U.S. Route 58 bisects Meadows of Dan and connects into Stuart to the east and Hillsville to the west, and links to Interstate 77. The closest airports are Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in Roanoke and Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. Both are about 50 miles away.
Due to Meadows of Dan’s secluded location, proximity to healthcare can be a challenge. “The healthcare facilities are probably the weakest link,” Shelor says. “We have a clinic that’s about 10 miles away, but the hospital in Radford is the closest.” The Tri-Area Community Health Clinic has two nearby locations in Laurel Fork and Stuart and provides family and primary physicians. The Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Radford is about 37 miles away, a trip that can take up to an hour. “But we’ve been very pleased with the quality of care that we’ve gotten from both the primary care doctors and the specialists that we’ve seen,” Day adds.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
