Life is Sweet in Highland County, Virginia
Looking for a more fulfilling way of life? Highland County is the place. Whether you want to reconnect with nature, jump into outdoor recreation or simply experience our small-town charm, you’ll find friendly faces and a slower pace of life tucked away in the Virginia mountains. Our community includes homesteaders, small business owners, remote workers and more — and we have so much to offer! Come discover the great outdoors and experience mountain life in Highland County.
Want a Taste of Highland County?
We believe that there’s no better place than Highland County, which is why we want to share it with you! From time to time, we plan to host sweepstakes giveaways full of amazing experiences that capture the rustic charm and scenic beautify of our Virginia mountains. Check back in 2025!
Our last contest was held from May - June of 2024 and included the following:
Highland County 2024 Getaway Contest (CLOSED JUNE 30, 2024)
- Weekend getaway: Aug. 16-18, 2024
- 2-night stay for up to two adults and two children at The Hogshead Cabin (Aug. 16-17)
- Guided tour of Elegius Mini Equine Sanctuary
- Two complimentary tickets to The Taste of Highland
- Meals and treats from local businesses, including Eagle’s Sugar Camp, High’s Restaurant, Mill Gap Farms and Susanna’s Confections
- Highland County merchandise
- Free to enter!
Plan Your Visit
From rustic cabins to historic bed and breakfasts to modern Airbnbs, discover a variety of places to stay in Highland County. Whatever your needs, Highland County has the perfect space to welcome you. Unique shopping opportunities dot the landscape with locations in century-old general stores and Main Street establishments.
From High’s Restaurant to Big Fish Cider, rural Highland County offers big eats and great drinks! Stock up on fresh-baked bread, local produce and meat from nearby farms at The Highland Roots Market. Enjoy American fare from BBQ to local trout to delicious coffee at dining establishments like the Blue Grass Mercantile, Claire’s Cakes and Café, The Curly Maple, Grant’s Grocery, Hull’s Hideaway, or the Monterey Inn. Whatever your tastes, Highland County has something fresh and local to satisfy!
From outdoor recreation to small-town arts and culture, Highland County offers no end to opportunities to explore. Get outdoors as you hike or bike our trails, camp, fish and hunt. Follow Virginia’s First Barn Quilt Trail. Climb the Sounding Knob Fire Tower. Learn about the Civil War’s Battle of McDowell at the Highland County Museum. Pay tribute at the Highland Veterans Memorial and Walk of Honor. Discover a blooming arts scene with several small galleries, a youth string orchestra and theater program. Don’t miss Second Saturdays @7 at the Highland Center in Monterey hosted by the Highland County Arts Council!
Mountain life brings so many opportunities to celebrate! Join us for fun, family-friendly events like the Highland County Fair, test-your-endurance activities like the Mountain Mama Road Bike Challenge and annual staples like the Hands & Harvest Festival, Wintertide and the Highland County Maple Festival.
Work From Home in Highland County
Live that Mountain Life
Curious about reasons to live in Highland County? It’s not just the natural beauty, the family-friendly lifestyle or the simplicity of homesteading and farming. It’s so much more – but don’t just take our word for it! Click the links below to watch videos and read about us in the press!
Stay Connected
Work from home with a beautiful backdrop. Highland County is one of the most ideal remote work locations. According to Commonwealth Connection, for Broadband Coverage, 80% of addresses are served in rural Highland County. Enjoy high-speed fiber internet with a mountain view, The Highland Center’s telework spaces and conference rooms — plus proximity to resources and coworking spaces in Charlottesville, Staunton and Harrisonburg.
Find Small Business Support
Our close-knit community supports local entrepreneurs! From local business and marketing grants to daycare options at the Highland Children's House, Highland welcomes you. Explore information from helpful resources below.
Ready to Make Your Move?
Contact us for more information on exploring, living and working in Highland County. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Photos courtesy Crips Pics, Cody Carr, Highland County Chamber of Commerce, Highland County Recreation Commission, Jim Jacenich, Laura Honaker Photography, Michael Bedwell, Sky Pics, Tammy Minnigh, The Highland Center, The Hogshead Cabin, Troy Baker, and Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Website page and getaway contest are projects of Highland Community Development Initiative (HCDI) core partners: Highland County Chamber of Commerce, Highland EDA, Highland Tourism Council, and The Highland Center.