Crystal Springs Recreation Area

Crystal Springs Recreation Area TRACK Trail map

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Wytheville boasts lots of recreation opportunities! Conveniently located at the crossroads on Interstate 77 and 81, this small town welcomes visitors with endless opportunities to relax, have fun and spend time outdoors with the family. The Town of Wytheville’s Crystal Springs Recreation Area is located on 1800 acres of town property separated from the actual town by Sand Mountain. The recreation area is surrounded by the 7500 acre Big Survey Wildlife Management Area, managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The focal point of the trail system is the old reservoir located on the main stream that cuts through the property, Venrick Run. The reservoir was built in the early 1900’s with hopes that it would be the town’s main water source; however, there was not enough water volume so the reservoir was used as a supplemental source of water for the town instead.

The Crystal Springs Recreation Area offers trails of various lengths and difficulty, beautiful farmland and forests, a crystal clear mountain stream flowing out of the town’s old reservoir for which the area was named, and of course TRACK Trail enhancements such as self-guided brochures, interpretive signage and discovery stations. As you begin you’re adventure, be sure to grab a TRACK Sack from one of the check out bins. TRACK Sacks are loaded with gear to help kids and families find more fun during their TRACK Trail adventure. When you get to the Aquatic Discovery Station, use the nets and magnifying lenses to explore the creek at the aquatic discovery station, or when you get to the Bird Discovery Station, use the binoculars and field guides at to connect with some of the birds and other wildlife found in the area.

Please note: about 0.4 miles beyond the reservoir, the Rocky Road Trail borders a hunting zone.
 

Track an adventure here
Collectible sticker for Crystal Springs Recreation Area TRACK Trail

Location Details

Recreational Features: Mountain Bike Trails, Picnic Tables, Fishing, Interpretive Programs, Birding
Amenities: Restrooms
ADA Compliant: No
Seasonality: Open all year
Young girl holding a bucket with a crayfish inside
Interpretative sign about life in a mountain stream
Kids in Parks trail head sign
Bucket with two crayfish and a salamander inside
Trail through a farm field
Small waterfall flowing into a shallow pool
Kids exploring a stone filled creek

Adventures for Crystal Springs Recreation Area

Hiking

Backyard Adventures

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
Download this brochure and do this adventure in your own backyard!
Town of Wytheville's Crystal Springs: Birds of the Blue Ridge brochure
Hiking

Town of Wytheville's Crystal Springs: Birds of the Blue Ridge

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
The Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains brochure is an illustrated field guide containing some of the more common birds found along the trail. Each illustration contains the bird's common name, Latin name and phonetic spelling of their call. Having trouble locating birds? Use the back panel illustration to identify their preferred location within the forest.
Hiking

Nature's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
The Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy. Best of all, the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature.
Hiking

Nature's Relationships

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
In the Nature's Relationships brochure you will discover how everything in nature is connected... even us. As you walk along the trail, the brochure will tell you a story about a few of the relationships that can be found. Many more relationships exist, so keep your eyes and heart open and you will discover many of nature's relationships - even yours.
Hiking

Animal Tracks and Traces

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
Every animal leaves "Tracks and Traces" of its presence when they pass through an area. From footprints, to scat (poop), to other traces like food scraps, animals leave clues of their presence everywhere. The "Tracks and Traces" brochure was designed to help you identify the various tracks and traces animals leave behind.

Directions

723 Pump Hollow Lane
Wytheville, VA 24382
Latitude: 36.899504200000
Longitude: -81.093692100000
From Interstate 81:

Take Exit 70 to Route 21 South
At the bottom of the ramp, take Route 21 South
Follow Route 21 South approximately 1 mile
Turn right onto Route 21 South (W. Main Street)
Follow Route 21 South approximately 3 miles
Turn Left on Pump Hollow Rd.
Follow Pump Hollow Rd 1 miles
Parking area on Left From

Interstate 77 North:

Take Exit 40 off of I-77 on to I-81 South
Follow I-81 South for approximately 1.5 miles
Take Exit 70 to Route 21 South
At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Route 21 South
Follow Route 21 South approximately 1 mile
Turn right onto Route 21 South (W. Main Street)
Follow Route 21 South approximately 3 miles
Turn Left on Pump Hollow Rd.
Follow Pump Hollow Rd 1 miles
Parking area on Left

From Interstate 77 South:

Merge on to I-77 North/I-81 South
Follow I-77 N/I-81 S for approximately 8.5 miles
Stay on I-81 South (I-77 N will split off to the right)
Follow I-81 South for approximately 2 miles
Take Exit 70 to Route 21 South At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Route 21 South
Follow Route 21 South approximately 1 mile
Turn right onto Route 21 South (W. Main Street)
Follow Route 21 South approximately 3 miles
Turn Left on Pump Hollow Rd.
Follow Pump Hollow Rd 1 miles
Parking area on Left

From the Blue Ridge Parkway:

Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at Fancy Gap
Follow 52 North (Fancy Gap Hwy) for approximately 1 mile
Turn Left onto 148
Follow 148 for .7 miles
Merge onto I-77 North Follow I-77 North for approximately 23 miles
Merge on to I-77 North/I-81 South
Follow I-77 N/I-81 S for approximately 8.5 miles
Stay on I-81 South (I-77 N will split off to the right)
Follow I-81 South for approximately 2 miles
Take Exit 70 to Route 21 South
At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Route 21 South
Follow Route 21 South approximately 1 mile
Turn right onto Route 21 South (W. Main Street)
Follow Route 21 South approximately 3 miles
Turn Left on Pump Hollow Rd.
Follow Pump Hollow Rd 1 miles
Parking area on Left

GPS Directions:

723 Pump Hollow Lane
Wytheville, VA 24382

Partners

The TRACK Trail program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The Town of Wytheville's Crystal Springs TRACK Trail was sponsored by the Town of Wytheville's Parks and Recreation Department with grant funds provided by the Wythe-Bland Community Foundation