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.
You may be looking for a new career in education, where smaller class sizes lead to more meaningful time with students. You may be looking for a weekend adventure with local flare and views that take your breath away. You may be looking for a place where you can make a positive impact right away. Whatever it is, Highland awaits with so much to offer.
Our community includes homesteaders, small business owners, remote workers, and more. Come discover the great outdoors and experience mountain life in Highland County!
Click here for a video overview of Highland County, Virginia from CBS Discover's Dave Parker!
2026 LABOR DAY GETAWAY SWEEPSTAKES!
Enter our 2026 getaway sweepstakes to experience the rustic charm and scenic beauty of the Virginia mountains!
- 2-night stay for up to two adults and two children at Stonebriar, a private cabin on 54 acres south of Monterey (Arrive Friday, September 4th and depart Sunday, September 6th)
- 4 season tickets to the 75th Highland County Fair
- 2 adult weekend passes to the 18th Century Trades Fair (18 and under free entry)
- Guided tour of Elegius Mini Equine Sanctuary
- Meals and treats from local businesses, including Allegheny Mountain Institute, Buck's Bee Shack, Eagle’s Sugar Camp, Highland Homemakers, Highland Roots Market, Mill Gap Farms, and The Highland Center with its Highland Farmers' Market
- Highland County merchandise
* Contest ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday, July 12, 2026
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 a variety of opportunities to explore. Hayfields State Park is Virginia's 44th State Park with 4 miles of easy-to-moderate hiking and biking trails, as well as fishing access along the Bullpasture River. 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 and a youth string orchestra. Don’t miss Monthly Entertainment 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 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 Blue Ridge GeoGraphics, Blue View Lodge, Crisp Pics, Highland County Chamber of Commerce, Highland County Public Schools, Highland County Recreation Commission, Laura Honaker Photography, Michael Bedwell, Sky Pics, 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.