Big Walker Mountain, named for pioneer explorer Dr Thomas Walker, is home to Big Walker Lookout & BW Country Store. At an elevation of 3,405, climbing the 100 foot lookout tower provides visitors with breathtaking views, where Only the Birds See More!

Now in our 70th year of business, the BW Country Store features the handmade wares of artists from the Southwest Virginia Region, as well as old fashioned fudge, homemade jams, jellies, & relishes. Delicious, Virginia-made, hand dipped ice cream! Weekends, May through October, the BW Country Store is host to local talented musicians that perform mountain top music for visitors to enjoy! Local authors are on hand to sign their latest books. Chat with a local artisan about their craft & see how it is created. Historic demonstrations, such as, Lye Soap making, Apple Butter cooking, and Blacksmithing also take place on weekends and are a great educational opportunity! Wythe & Bland Counties are steeped in Civil War history, Rich Culture, and Appalachain Heritage! Numerous hiking, biking, and birding trails are maintained throughout the area, with plenty of camping, outdoor activities, and the scenic beauty of our National Forests and the Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for visitors to take advantage of.

Located on the Wythe/Bland County Line,reached from Bland or Wytheville off I-77 or I-81 on US-52.

Fort Chiswell Animal Park is the largest zoo in Southwest Virginia and provides one of the most interactive animal experiences you will find anywhere in the State! The 45 acre zoo is home to animals from six continents and is conveniently located less than three miles off Exit 80 on I-81/I-77. In the Petting Zoo you'll get the chance to pet and feed goats, llamas, and deer. You can throw peanuts to the monkeys or snap a photo of the zoo's wallaby family. The hands-on fun moves to a whole new level when you board the Safari Bus for a guided ride through the Outback. The Safari Bus Tour is the highlight of the Fort Chiswell Animal Park experience and brings you nose-to-nose with camels, zebra, ostrich, antelope, buffalo, and more! It's the zoo where the animals WANT to see you--so don't forget your camera! You're invited to come take a ride on the wild side and experience a place you'll never forget.