30 Apr Press Release: New Assessment Provides Action Plan for Trail Restoration in Southwest Virginia’s Mount Rogers Region
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Ryan Vaughan
Marketing Manager
Friends of Southwest Virginia
rvaughan@myswva.org
New Assessment Provides Action Plan for Trail Restoration in Southwest Virginia’s Mount Rogers Region
On-the-ground data and mapping tools support immediate cleanup and long-term recovery efforts.
ABINGDON, VA (Thursday, April 30, 2026) – Friends of Southwest Virginia, in close partnership with the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission, has released the Mount Rogers Recreation Area – Trail Assessment, a comprehensive, field-based analysis documenting storm-related impacts and providing a clear, actionable path forward for trail restoration and long-term resilience.
Developed as part of the Hurricane Helene Outdoor Recreation Recovery Planning Project and funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission, the assessment goes beyond high-level analysis. It provides detailed, location-specific data that can be directly used by land managers, partners, and volunteer groups to support cleanup and restoration efforts across the Mount Rogers region.
Hurricane Helene caused widespread disruption to outdoor recreation assets across Southwest Virginia, impacting trail systems, river access points, forest service roads, and park facilities that are essential to the region’s tourism economy and quality of life. The assessment found that several high-use trails sustained severe damage, while others remain obstructed or only partially accessible, limiting safe public use and affecting recreation-based businesses.
What sets this effort apart is the depth of fieldwork and documentation conducted throughout the region. Working across priority trail systems in Grayson and Smyth counties, with supplemental analysis in Wythe and Washington counties, the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission led extensive on-the-ground assessments, walking trail segments and documenting conditions in real time.
The project included GPS-based fieldwork, photographic documentation, and the collection of precise GIS data, including mapped coordinates identifying damage points, debris locations, erosion issues, and access barriers. This level of detail allows partners to move quickly from assessment to action.
The resulting data and mapping tools are designed to be used immediately by partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, local governments, and volunteer groups, to prioritize cleanup efforts, coordinate resources, and guide restoration work where it is needed most.
“This assessment gives us the clarity we need to move forward with purpose,” said Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. “This is not just a report. It is a working tool that our partners can use right now to restore trails, improve access, and support the communities and businesses that depend on outdoor recreation. We are proud to work alongside the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission and the U.S. Forest Service to turn this information into action on the ground.”
The trail assessment outlines the extent and severity of damage across priority assets and provides strategic recommendations for restoration, reinvestment, and increased resilience. It also serves as a foundation for future funding, coordination, and long-term planning efforts to strengthen outdoor recreation infrastructure across the region.
The full report is available at https://friendsofswva.org/development/anchor-areas/mount-rogers-recreation-area/