Mountains and meadows make up most of the land in Sugar Grove
Sugar Grove embraces farm and country living in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. “It’s a very small community with down-home folks, where everyone pretty much knows everyone,” says Vickie Creasy, the owner of Ideal Realty Advisors, who has 17 years of local experience. “It’s a rural area within 15 minutes of interstate access.” Though it may seem completely secluded here, Sugar Grove Highway, a piece of State Route 16, provides convenience to urban areas like Marion, 10 miles northwest. With a few country markets and entry points to the Appalachian Trail, Sugar Grove offers the prototypical feel of a small, nature-centered Virginia mountain town.
Scenic trails and campsites in the mountainous terrain
Numerous hiking and horse trails meander through Sugar Grove’s wooded, mountainous terrain. The Appalachian Trail cuts through the county, and various campsites host hundreds of people each year along their treks. Raccoon Branch Campground offers creek access and RV parking. Hurricane Campground is another popular resting spot, though it will remain closed during the 2025 season due to damage sustained during Hurricane Helene. Residents can reach Grayson Highlands State Park, a recreational area off the Appalachian Trail, in about 15 miles. The park is near Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest peak.
Properties range from secluded cabins to sprawling farmland
Housing options consist of mountain cabins, ranch-style homes and expansive farming properties. Prices most often fall in the $100,000 and $200,000 ranges, though lots that span dozens of acres can surpass $1 million. Homes sit off quiet country roads in the rolling hills, with varying levels of seclusion. Some live just steps from their neighbors, while others have to hop in the car to visit theirs. Sugar Grove also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Various stores off the highway and big-box retail in Marion
Sugar Grove Highway is the area’s main street. It features a small collection of buildings, from Dollar General and auto repair shops to Christian churches. Shirley’s Market offers a few gas pumps, convenience store items and a kitchen that serves hot dogs and barbecue sandwiches. The Farmhouse Market is a family-owned spot known for its rotating specials, ranging from chicken and dumplings to pot roasts and loaded spuds. Kristy Waller owns the market and caters for private parties. “She sells local beef and pork also,” Creasy says. “During gardening season, she sells fresh veggies.” For more dining options and big-box stores, such as Walmart and Food Lion, residents head 10 miles away to Marion.
Children enroll in Smyth County Public Schools
Students begin their education at Sugar Grove Elementary before attending Marion Middle and Marion Senior High, which are about 10 miles away. All three schools score C-plus grades on Niche. High schoolers can participate in various athletic and extracurricular activities, including a fishing club and performing arts groups. The Distributive Education Clubs of America is another program that teaches students leadership, business and financial skills.
State routes head toward major interstates and big cities
Sugar Grove Highway cuts through the center of town, providing a 10-mile route into Marion. The highway also leads to Interstate 81, which runs from Tennessee to New York. The Tri-Cities Airport, 70 miles away in Blountville, Tennessee, is the closest option for domestic air travel.
