I’m afraid of heights. Specifically, I’m afraid of climbing heights like ladders, open staircases, and 60-year-old fire towers turned into observation towers. But despite this phobia, I’ve climbed the steps of the Big Walker Lookout more than a dozen times since my first visit in 2014.
The locally owned mountain top attraction has a fascinating history, features spectacular views, and has an enjoyable drive getting there. The observation tower is the main attraction, but you can also browse the wares in the country store on the ground floor. And everyone should get an ice cream before leaving.
It’s why I think everyone must visit this hidden gem near Wytheville, Virginia.
Keep reading to learn about the history, the scenic drives getting there, things to do, and tips on visiting the Big Walker Lookout in Wytheville, Virginia.
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Map of Big Walker Lookout
How to use this map | Click the icon in the top-left corner to open the Map Legend, then click on any of the legend items to display more information. If you have a Google account, click the (very faint) star at the end of the map’s name to save this map to your account, then access the map from your smartphone during your trip.
Why Trust What I Write
The first time I visited the Big Walker Lookout was a bitterly cold day in early March. The only people there besides me were a group of ladies who traveled up the mountain from Wytheville to get an ice cream in the country store.
But that wasn’t the last time I visited the iconic mountain top attraction.
The Big Walker Lookout has become a quick side-trip destination during any road trip through Southwest Virginia. I typically only stop long enough to climb the tower and capture some photos of the landscape.
But in 2014, I had the chance to meet owner Ron Kime. We chatted for nearly an hour. I’ve kept in touch with the family since then – his daughter frequently updates me about the attraction.
You can trust what I write about the Big Walker Lookout because I’ve driven the scenic highway about a dozen times. And I’ve climbed the steps to the top of the slightly swaying observation tower several times, even though I’m terrified of heights!
Learn more about my editorial guidelines.
How to Get There
There are many ways to get to the Big Walker Lookout. Which route you take entirely depends on where you start, where you want to go, and how much you enjoy driving on curvy mountain roads.
- From West Virginia – Take Exit 52 on Interstate 77 in Bland, Virginia. Turn onto U.S. Highway 52/South Scenic Highway. The two-lane road passes through a gorgeous valley before climbing the north side of Big Walker Mountain. This route takes about 15 minutes to drive.
- Quickest Route – Take Exit 47 on Interstate 77 before traveling through the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel. Drive along the two-lane Krenning Road for about four miles. Then, turn onto U.S. Highway 52/Stoney Fork Road and begin the long climb up the south side of Big Walker Mountain. This route takes about 15 minutes.
- From Wytheville, Roanoke, and I-81 – Take Exit 70 on Interstate 81 and turn toward the mountains. It’s a beautiful drive through the rural countryside north of the small town. This route takes about 20 minutes.
The Big Walker Lookout’s address is 8711 Stoney Fork Road, Wytheville, Virginia.
Best Time to Visit
I’ve visited the Big Walker Lookout on perfect summer days, bitterly cold winter evenings, and that one time during a summer thunderstorm when the static electricity in the air made the hairs on my arm stand up.
There are some best and worst times to visit the Big Walker Lookout. Here’s a quick breakdown on when you should go:
- Best Time to Visit – September and October are the best times to visit. The overnight lows dip into the 50s and 40s, respectively, while the daytime highs reach the 70s and 60s. October is one of the driest months of the year, with only 2.6 inches of rain. The fall colors typically peak around mid to late October.
- June, July, and August – The summer months are okay times to visit. The daytime highs are about 3-5 degrees cooler on the lookout tower than nearby Wytheville. July is the hottest average month with a daytime high of 78 degrees. But these are also wet months, averaging around 3 inches of rainfall from epic thunderstorms.
- Worst Time to Visit – Unfortunately, April and May during the spring are the worst times to visit. May is the wettest month of the year with 3.5 inches of rain. And April is close behind with an average 3.2 inches of rain. If you keep a close eye on the weather, you might be able to swing by the lookout tower on one of the good days.
Brief History of Big Walker Lookout
In 1947, Stuart and Abigail Kime bought an old fire tower on Big Walker Mountain about 15 miles north of Wytheville, Virginia. The family worked tirelessly, turning the mountain top into a destination. They built a chair lift to the mountain’s summit across the road, a full-service restaurant, and a gift shop. They opened the fire tower to the public so anyone brave enough could climb to the top.
In 2014, I was fortunate to meet the Big Walker Lookout founder’s son, Ron Kime. He pulled out an old photo album and flipped through pages of black and white photos. Each picture told the story of an immensely popular road trip destination filled with dozens of cars and hundreds of people.
He pointed out a photo he captured inside the restaurant. Every table had a spectacular view through large picture windows. Then, he showed me the photo of the day after the restaurant caught on fire. It was a tragedy that forever changed the attraction, but did not end it.
Only the gift shop and fire tower remain today. The third generation of the family, Heather Kime, runs the daily operations of the family attraction. And it’s an attraction the Kime family plans to keep running forever.
Main Attraction: Big Walker Lookout Tower
The Big Walker Lookout Tower stands at 3,405 feet above sea level. There are 200 steps to the top of the observation tower, adding another 100 feet to the elevation. The metal tower is well maintained and safe to climb.
Read More: The Adventurous Hike to Mount Rogers – the Highest Point in Virginia
But, as Ron Kime told me one day, “It’s supposed to sway a little bit in the wind.” The higher I climbed, the more I noticed the sway. It was like sailing across a bay on a calm day. The swaying, as Kime explained, is meant to keep the tower from collapsing in strong winds.
The wide deck at the top of the observation tower offers an uninterrupted panorama view of the surrounding Jefferson National Forest. Patches of lush grass bordered by thick forests rolling over the mountain ridges stretch across the horizon. Below, cars driving along the road look like play toys.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources claims visitors can see five states from the observation tower. I can’t verify it because there aren’t any landmarks. But I think visitors can see the following states from the Big Walker Lookout Tower:
Visitors must purchase an admission ticket to climb the tower. It cost less than $10 per adult and $5 per child.
Also Do: Big Walker Country Store
If climbing a 100-foot-tall fire tower is not your thing, then maybe you’d enjoy browsing arts, crafts, and baked goods in the Big Walker Country Store?
The store features lots of handcrafted items from local artisans, collectibles, and baked goods like apple butter and sweets. The deli serves sandwiches, freshly made fudge, and premium ice cream – it’s the one thing I recommened everyone do while visiting Big Walker Lookout.
On weekends from May through October, visitors are greeted with the sweet melody of local musicians that mixes with the scent of the fresh fudge. The music is free of charge, typically featuring bluegrass and country music native to the region. It was the first time I’d ever seen a fiddle played before attending the Old Fiddler’s Convention.
Check the Big Walker Lookout’s website for upcoming events.
Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway
The Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway is a 16.6-mile state scenic byway near Bland, Virginia. The scenic highway bypasses the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel on Interstate 77, following the early route of the highest before the interstate was completed.
Take Exit 47 or Exit 52 on Interstate 77 to drive the highway. The two-lane road joins with U.S. Highway 52 as it crosses a gap on Big Walker Mountain. The Big Walker Lookout has been the main attraction on the scenic highway since it opened in 1947.
It takes about 30 minutes to travel the scenic byway, not accounting for stopping at the Big Walker Lookout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ron Kime owns the Big Walker Lookout.
The Big Walker Lookout stands at 3,405 feet above sea level.
There are approximately 200 steps on the Big Walker Lookout.
Visitors can see five states from the Big Walker Lookout: Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
The Big Walker Lookout is about 20 miles north of Wytheville, Virginia, along U.S. Highway 52.
The Big Walker Lookout is 100 feet tall.
