A Guide to Bath County, Virginia: The Most Underrated County in the State

Bath County is the only county in Virginia without a traffic light. That detail sounds like a fun fact until you actually arrive — and then it just makes complete sense.

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia, Bath County is remote in the most restorative way. Over 89% of its land is preserved. The towns are small, the roads are quiet, and the pace is something you have to actively slow down to meet. We arrived from the Omni Homestead Resort, having spent two days at one of the grandest historic properties in the country, and stepping into the quieter side of Bath felt like the natural exhale that followed.

It’s also one of the most underrated destinations on the East Coast — and at just about 210 miles and 3.5 hours from Washington, DC, one of the most accessible. The kind of place that hasn’t been overrun yet, and for that reason, is worth going.

Where to Eat

Between the mineral pools, the trails, the cidery, and the river, Bath County offers more than its size suggests. The outdoor activities alone could fill a long weekend, and the quieter pursuits — a tasting, a soak, a slow afternoon — fill in the rest naturally.

Warm Springs Pools
11 Bath St, Warm Springs, VA 24484
Among the oldest mineral pools in the country, fed by natural springs that maintain 98 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Thomas Jefferson soaked in these pools for three weeks. The stone bathhouses were carefully restored in a $4 million renovation completed in 2022 and are well worth the visit for the history and the experience. Reservations are required. Note that dogs are not permitted on the premises. → Read our full guide to the Warm Springs Pools

Troddenvale at Oakley Farm
170 Oakley Farm Lane, Warm Springs, VA 24484
Transparency-driven ciders crafted with minimal intervention in the beautifully restored North Stable of historic Oakley Farm, established in 1834. Will and Cornelia Hodges recently expanded their vision beyond cider — Oakley Farm now encompasses Troddenvale, a sister food project called Foodlore, and events on the land, all rooted in the same sense of place. Expanded hours and days begin May 7. Check their website for current hours. Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome.

Troddenvale is on a working farm with its own resident pup, Fanny, and other animals on the property. They recently added a dog policy to their website that reflects the spirit of the place, well worth reading before visiting with dogs.

Douthat State Park
14239 Douthat State Park Rd, Millboro, VA 24460
One of Virginia’s original six state parks, straddling Bath and Alleghany Counties. Home to Lake Moomaw, waterfalls, hiking trails, birding, and fishing. Dogs are welcome on leash throughout the park. A full day could easily be spent here, or a morning hike pairs naturally with the rest of Bath County’s offerings. There is a $7 fee per visit.

Kayaking with Alleghany Outdoors
1903 Dressler Drive, Covington, VA 24426
Guided kayaking trips on the scenic Jackson River, with options for different skill levels and time commitments. We went with our dogs, and it was an adventure worth having — though one practical note for those planning a visit before Memorial Day: the dam isn’t raised until late May, which makes the water level lower and the rapids more technical than expected, especially with pups. Lake Moomaw is a good alternative during this window and may actually be the better experience earlier in the season. Alleghany Outdoors also offers additional activities beyond kayaking, worth checking their site for current offerings.

Where to Stay

Accommodation options in Bath County range from intimate historic inns to one of the grandest resorts in the country. The two anchor properties couldn’t be more different in scale, which makes Bath County work well for different kinds of travelers — and different kinds of trips.

Inn at Warm Springs
12968 Sam Snead Hwy, Warm Springs, VA 24484
A charming historic getaway originally built as the 19th-century courthouse and jail in the heart of Warm Springs. The Inn is warm, well-kept, and genuinely hospitable — the Tavern on-site makes it easy to settle in without going far for dinner. As an alternative to the Omni Homestead, the Inn offers a quieter, more intimate experience of Bath County at its own unhurried pace.

For those traveling with dogs, the Inn at Warm Springs is one of the only properties in the area that welcomes two pets of any size with no additional fee — a meaningful distinction in a region where pet fees can add up fast. Dogs are welcome in designated pet-friendly rooms and cannot be left unattended. With only 5 pet-friendly rooms across the property, booking ahead is strongly recommended.

The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa
7696 Sam Snead Hwy, Hot Springs, VA 24445
America’s oldest resort, open since 1766, set on 2,300 acres in the Allegheny Mountains. The Omni anchors Hot Springs with grand architecture, extensive dining, and a wide range of activities including hiking, golf, and the historic Warm Springs Pools nearby. A very different experience from the quieter side of Bath — and a worthwhile one on its own terms.
→ Read our full dog-friendly guide to the Omni Homestead

Final Thoughts

Bath County rewards the kind of travel that doesn’t have a tight agenda. The county’s remoteness — spotty cell service included — is part of the point. It asks you to slow down and actually be somewhere. For a destination this close to the DC-Virginia corridor, it punches well above its weight. Go before everyone else figures that out.