Grayson County’s Hidden Gems: Matthews State Forest & Matthews Living History Farm Museum

Grayson Highlands State Park is popular among outdoor enthusiasts, famous for its wild ponies. Yet, there’s so much more to see in Grayson County.

Matthews State Forest and the Matthews Living History Farm Museum, both less than an hour from the state park, are worthy of exploration. 

On a recent visit, I checked out the peaceful hiking trails at Matthews State Forest. I also learned some history at the Matthews Living History Farm Museum.

I’m so glad I did. When you’re ready to discover all that Grayson County has to offer, here’s what’s in store for you.

Matthews State Forest

Just under an hour from the entrance to Grayson Highlands State Park, Matthews State Forest is a 566-acre retreat that’s perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Mixed hardwoods and white pine trees set the stage for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and birding. It’s a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle.

Set near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Matthews State Forest is the place to be for anyone who enjoys exploring nature in a peaceful, undeveloped setting.

Uniquely, the forest is split by U.S. 58, a major east-west highway that stretches from Harrogate, Tennessee to Virginia Beach.

There are two well-maintained hiking trails: the 0.9-mile Birding Trail on the south side of U.S. 58 and the 1.3-mile Interpretive Trail on the north side.

These easy-to-moderate loop hikes wind through lush woodlands, making them perfect for hikers of all levels. There are also eight miles of mountain biking trails.

Hiking Trails

I started my adventure on the Birding Trail, which is easy to access in front of the Alice House, a historic log cabin on the right side of the forest road as you drive in.

As I made my way, I passed three small ponds. Interpretive signage educates visitors on the types of birds and trees that can be found at Matthews State Forest.

One sign, titled “Birds of Ponds and Lakes,” featured photos of such bird species as mallards, red-winged blackbirds, great blue herons and belted kingfishers.

Another sign, titled “Birds of Coniferous Forests,” introduced me to the red-bellied woodpecker, pine warbler and chipping sparrow.

Since this was a birding trail, I opened up the Merlin app on my phone. This free tool can identify birds based on what you see or hear. It’s pretty amazing.

The app listened to the morning birdsong. At one point, it picked up five different birds, including a blue jay, tufted titmouse and white-throated sparrow.

I continued along the loop, walking through an open meadow, crossing over Clear Fork Creek and passing another small pond before finishing the hike.

The mix of deciduous trees and open meadows in the forest creates an ideal habitat for both wildlife and birds, so keep your eyes open as you walk.

As you near the end of the hike, you’ll notice there’s a small, shaded pavilion of picnic tables. It’s a great spot to enjoy a post-hike lunch on a warm day.

Once I wrapped up this hike, I crossed U.S. 58 to explore the Interpretive Trail, a slightly longer hiking option at Matthews State Forest.

This nature trail is easy, shaded and dog-friendly. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy some quiet time away from it all.

While a state forest use permit is required for hunting, fishing, mountain biking and horseback riding, it is not required for hiking at state forests in Virginia.

Matthews Living History Farm Museum

Next stop, the Matthews Living History Farm Museum. It’s a quick 5-minute drive from Matthews State Forest, so it’s a cinch to tackle both in one afternoon.

This 22-acre working farm allows visitors to step back in time for a glimpse into daily farm life in the Upper New River Valley as it was around 1900.

The grounds feature authentic artifacts, tools and historic structures, including a barn, workshop, blacksmith shop and spring house.

A circa 1900 farmhouse is currently under restoration, but visitors can still enjoy self-guided exploration of the rest of the living history museum.

Throughout the year, the museums showcases traditional skills and crafts, like soap making, chair caning, quilting, blacksmithing, gardening and woodworking.

The living history museum is also home to friendly farm animals, including ducks, chickens, pigs, cows, sheep and one donkey.

Museum Events

From late-May to early-September, the farm comes alive with weekly music jams featuring guitars, banjos and fiddles – a nod to the region’s rich musical heritage.

Monthly “Need to Know” workshops dive into topics like homesteading practices, Appalachian folk art and the history of the Appalachian Mountains.

On Wednesdays in June and July, the living history museum hosts story times and games for children with volunteers dressed in period clothing.

Seasonal celebrations, like Heritage Day and the Autumn Folk Festival, offer hands-on opportunities to experience traditional crafts and heritage skills.

The living history museum welcomes visitors starting in early-April. The farm operates Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.