Tazewell, VA

Tazewell is a small, unhurried town serving as the county seat of Tazewell County, Virginia, tucked into the southwestern corner of the state within the Appalachian Mountains and not far from the West Virginia border. The town has a population of roughly 4,500 residents and retains the look and feel of a traditional Appalachian county seat, with a compact historic courthouse square and a strong sense of local heritage tied to the coal-mining history of the surrounding region. Tazewell functions as a convenient base for travelers exploring some of the most scenic stretches of the southern Appalachians, and it lies about 100 miles northwest of Roanoke, the nearest large city, with Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech campus around 60 miles to the northeast.

Just a short drive northeast of town lies Burke's Garden, a remote, oval-shaped highland valley often called "God's Thumbprint" for its distinctive shape visible from the air. Surrounded by Garden Mountain and sitting roughly 3,000 feet above sea level, this isolated farming community offers sweeping pastoral views, quiet gravel roads, and an unfiltered look at rural Appalachian life. The drive from Tazewell takes about 30 minutes and is one of the most photographed landscapes in the region.

To the northwest, the small town of Pocahontas offers a tangible connection to American industrial history as the site of one of the earliest commercial coal mines in the United States. The restored mine portal, original company-built brick houses, and surrounding historic district preserve a vivid sense of the late 19th and early 20th century coal boom that shaped the region, and the route from Tazewell takes roughly 20 minutes.

Outdoor and driving enthusiasts are drawn to the area for the Back of the Dragon, a famous stretch of Virginia State Route 16 that winds and climbs dramatically through the mountains between Tazewell and Marion. Popular with motorcyclists, sports car clubs, and sightseers, the route is a hallmark attraction of the region, passing through dense hardwood forest and along cliffside overlooks. The full drive covers about 32 miles and is reachable within minutes of the town square.

With its small-town character, mountain setting, and proximity to so many distinctive regional attractions, Tazewell offers short-term rental guests a quieter, more authentic Appalachian experience than they would find in the better-known tourist hubs farther east, making it an appealing base for travelers who value scenery, history, and a slower pace.