Golf
Poplar Grove Golf Club
18-hole championship course open to the public. Features golf carts with GPS systems and reasonable fees. Located off Route 29 across from Sweet Briar College on Tavern Lane. Phone: (434) 946-9933
Shadow Ridge Golf Course
18-hole rural course offering very affordable greens and cart fees. Phone: (434) 946-2008
Winton Country Club & Golf Course
18-hole championship course that hosted the 1994 Women's Southern Amateur Tournament. Public course with year-round golfing. The 18th-century clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Phone: (434) 946-7336
Hiking, Biking & Birding
Blue Ridge Parkway
Parkway attractions located in Amherst County include Otter Creek Campground and Restaurant as well as Humphreys Gap. Access the parkway via Route 60 near milepost 45 or Route 130.
Appalachian Trail
Nearly 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail pass through Amherst County as it stretches from Maine to Georgia. Access the trail near milepost 50 on the Parkway or from Route 60 near the county's western border.
George Washington National Forest
Covering much of western Amherst County and more than a million acres across Virginia and West Virginia, this forest offers hiking, camping, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area
More than 7,500 acres of scenic beauty accessible via Route 631 off Route 60W. Features magnificent overlooks and trails reaching elevations above 4,000 feet.
James River Heritage Trail
A blacktop hiking and biking trail accessible from Lynchburg's riverfront. Includes scenic bridges, Percival's Island, and additional trails extending into Amherst County.
ATV Trails
Amherst County offers 25 miles of ATV trails west of the Blue Ridge Parkway on Route 130. Forest Service Information: (540) 291-2188
Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail
This scenic trail stretches from Piney River in Nelson County to Roses Mill in Amherst County. Ideal for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders with beautiful river and farmland views.
Fishing
Amherst County offers excellent fishing opportunities with access to the James, Pedlar, and Piney rivers. Several county parks also feature fishing lakes and boat launches.
Camping
Otter Creek Campground
National Park Service campground near milepost 60 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Offers creekside tent and RV camping (no hookups), seasonal restaurant, and gift shop.
Phone: (434) 299-5125
www.nps.gov Lynchburg NW / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA
Offers 75 mostly wooded RV and tent sites with fishing, swimming, hiking, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Phone: (434) 299-5228
www.wildwoodcampground.com County Parks
Coolwell Park
Features picnic areas, grills, sports fields, basketball courts, nature trails, an amphitheater, playgrounds, and a community center available for reservations. Recreation Department: 434-946-9371
Mill Creek Lake Park
Scenic park located in the Temperance area with views of Mt. Pleasant. Popular for fishing and birdwatching. Includes a boat ramp, picnic areas, grills, playground, and restroom facilities. Gasoline-powered boats are not allowed.
