Where to stay

Mountain Lake Lodge

Location: Salt Pond Mountain, Pembroke. About 30 minutes from the start line.

Phone: 540-626-7121

A historic stone lodge on a 2,600-acre property. Accommodation ranges from rooms in the main lodge to cabins and 2–4 bedroom houses. Dirty Dancing was filmed here in 1987; the front desk provides a free self-guided map of the filming locations.

Wolf Creek Runs Wild package:

• 15% off any unit, property-wide, plus tax and resort fee

• Complimentary breakfast for each guest

• A race-morning to-go breakfast option: breakfast biscuit with a banana, or granola parfait with a banana

• Packet pickup and a community happy hour at Salt Pond Pub on Friday evening

• Two-night minimum stay

To book: call 540-626-7121 and mention "Wolf Creek Race." The rate is not available online and is not applied automatically.

On the property: 22 miles of hiking and biking trails, a spa (opened October 2025, reservations required), three restaurants — Harvest, Salt Pond Pub and Stoney Creek Tavern — a treetop ropes course and ziplines, archery, an escape room, a seasonal pool and lawn games.

Hiking

Cascade Falls

Where: Pembroke, about 20 minutes from Narrows Distance: roughly 4 miles round trip Cost: small parking fee

A 66-foot waterfall reached by a trail along Little Stony Creek. There are two routes up — a lower creekside trail and an upper road-grade trail — and most people go up one and down the other. Barney's Wall, an overlook above the falls, is a longer add-on.

Appalachian Trail

The AT crosses Giles County, with several access points.

• Kelly Knob Overlook, near Newport — a short out-and-back to a ridge view. Good option for the afternoon after the race.

• Angels Rest, above Pearisburg — longer and steeper, with a wider view.

• Dismal Falls — a 12-foot waterfall a short walk off the trail.

Mill Creek Nature Park

Where: Narrows, about a mile from the town park Cost: free, open to the public

The park this race supports. Trails suitable for a short walk or a longer morning.

Sunday, October 25 — guided hike with Ralph Robertson. The morning after the race, Ralph — who built the trails — is leading a walk through the park. Open to everyone, whether or not you ran. Not a strenuous hike.

Getting on the New River

37 miles of the New River run through Giles County. It's flatwater through most of the county — no whitewater on this stretch.

Paddling

Canoe, kayak, tube and stand-up paddleboard. Common put-in and take-out points:

• Eggleston Springs Campground, Eggleston

• Glen Lyn Town Park, Glen Lyn — public boat landing

Fishing

Smallmouth bass and musky. A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required.

Walker Creek Retreat, Pembroke — guided fishing trips and waterfront cabins.

Where to eat

The Palisades

Where: Eggleston Southern cooking in a former general store. Live music most weekends. Small dining room — reservations recommended on race weekend.

The Happy Hog

Where: 100 S Main Street, Pearisburg Southern cooking, known locally for deviled eggs and smash burgers.