Find Your Calm: A Quiet Escape to Grayson County

We’ve all been through a lot the last few months, so when I had the opportunity to go to Southwest Virginia to explore the town of Independence, Virginia, I was all in.

This under-the-radar gem in Grayson County has all the makings of a peaceful weekend escape – breathtaking views, delicious food, and warm hospitality.

You may have been to Grayson County since it’s home to Grayson Highlands State Park. However, you may not have been to Independence.

Traveling to Grayson Highlands from Richmond, Northern Virginia, or anywhere along I-81, you exit the highway north of Marion, bypassing Independence entirely.

Trust me though, Independence is worth the detour. When you’re ready to relax and recharge, here’s how to do so in this quiet corner of the state. Let’s go.

Day One

Independence is home to the one and only Dream Rock Silo, which is a reno’d dairy barn from the 1950s. It’s a total dream, too (no pun intended).

Dream Rock Silo is a wildly unique stay with three separate suites, including the Silo, Creekside Bungalow, and the Rustic Rooster Room.

All three suites can be rented individually on Airbnb. I was fortunate to stay in the Silo, which wows with 360-degree views from the top of the four-story silo.

The suite is two floors. The first floor has a sitting area and a full bathroom. A spiral staircase leads to the second floor, which has a round king size bed (round!).

Set alongside a gently-flowing creek, the grounds are as much a dream as the stay. There are cows, chickens, and all the far-reaching mountain views you can handle.

Keep in mind, this is an Airbnb, not a B&B. By that I mean, for meals, you’re on your own. Fortunately, you’ve got choices.

You may feel a million miles away, sitting on your private patio, reveling in warm breezes. Yet, restaurants and in-town conveniences are only a 10-minute drive.

For dinner, make your way to Mi Casa Azteca. Yes, it’s Mexican food. It was also delicious and super affordable. I’m pretty sure my taco salad was just $12.

In my opinion, the smallest towns have the best Mexican restaurants. The chips were just right – not too oily, not too salty, not too crispy. Perfection.

Day Two

Start your day with breakfast at the Corner Market & Café in Mouth of Wilson. It’s a 20-minute drive from Dream Rock Silo.

This place is no-frills, but can you beat a fresh-cooked $5 breakfast? Seriously, I got a pancake, bacon and an egg for $5. Coffee was $1.75.

The pancake was fluffy, the bacon was crisp, the egg was perfectly over-medium. Honestly, I could rave about this breakfast all day.

Corner Market & Café also sells snacks, groceries, toiletries, and gas. You can pick up pre-packaged to-go sandwiches there, too.

From here, it’s a 20-minute drive to Grayson Highlands State Park. Keep in mind, there’s an entry fee that ranges from $7 to $10 per vehicle.

You could go to see the wild ponies. But, of course, everybody goes to see the ponies at Wilburn Ridge. So you  may miss out on solitude and serenity.

Instead, I’ve got two alternative hikes, both of which start from the Massie Gap parking area. The first is one of my favorites, the Twin Pinnacles hike.

This 2.1-mile loop hike rewards with views for miles from Big Pinnacle and Little Pinnacle. You’ll reach the visitor center at the mid-way point (open seasonally).

The second hike is the Cabin Creek Trail. This 1.8-mile wooded loop hike follows alongside burbling Cabin Creek.

My suggestion is to tackle this one clockwise. This way, you’ll be facing the cascades and waterfalls as you hike along the yellow-blazed trail.

For lunch, stop in Grayson Highlands General Store & Inn. It’s a 15-minute drive from the state park. Keep in mind that it’s closed on Mondays.

The general store has inside and outside seating, as well as an ice cream shop. The inn has two single rooms and a two-bedroom suite that overlook Big Wilson Creek.

After lunch, return to Dream Rock Silo. My suggestion is to settle in with a good book on your private deck or patio. It can be hard to find these quiet moments.

You’ll also want to rest up before heading out to dinner at Fries Dam Steakhouse in Fries (pronounced “freeze”). It’s a 30-minute drive from the Airbnb.

Fries Dam Steakhouse opened in 2023, and honestly, it’s not to be missed for whiskey battered onion rings, sirloin steaks, and fried green tomatoes. Holy cow.

I ordered the shrimp & grits, and it was every bit as delicious as you’d want it to be. I’m still thinking about how good that meal was. I’ll be back, for sure.

From here, head back to Dream Rock Silo for a good night’s sleep. Fries is also home to the Washington Inn, which sits right on the New River.

Day Three

Rise and shine, but no rush. When you’re ready to start your day, head to Aunt Bea’s on Main Street in Independence, where breakfast is lovingly served all day.

Get a booth and settle in with biscuits and gravy. Or, order a breakfast biscuit to-go to take to Powerhouse Falls. It’s just a three-minute drive from Aunt Bea’s.

Take a seat at one of the picnic tables for breakfast with a view at Powerhouse Falls. There’s also a short trail that follows alongside the falls.

Next stop, Mathews State Forest, which has a couple of easy hiking trails, including a birding trail and an interpretive trail.

Both trails are calm and quiet. On the birding trail, use the free Merlin app to identify birds by their unique songs and calls. Honestly, it’s pretty cool.

Come spring, the nearby Matthews Living History Farm opens for the season. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Stop by to take a self-guided tour of the farm, including an authentic barn from the 1900s, a workshop, a blacksmith shop, and a spring house.

You’ll also see livestock at the farm, including cows, pigs, chickens, sheep and a donkey. In season, look for scheduled events, like story times and live music.

For lunch, head to Fries for lunch on the New River at the Windy River Café. They’ve got burgers and fries, as well as beers and hot fudge sundaes.

Spend time at Fries Town Park. Keep your eyes open for eagles. In warmer months, you can rent kayaks at New River Outdoor Adventures.

Alternatively, you can walk or pedal along the New River Trail, the area’s 57-mile rail trail. You can rent bikes at New River Outdoor Adventures, too.

After a day well spent, it’s time to return home. If you can, hold onto some of the calm and tranquility you were able to capture on this Grayson County getaway.