Beartown Wilderness

Beartown Wilderness is a steep, remote and rugged area, particularly at the heads of its drainages. Its principal streams are Roaring Fork, which contains a population of native trout, along with Barkcamp Branch and Cove Branch. The vegetation is diverse, featuring Appalachian hardwoods, northern spruce-fir, northern hardwoods, hemlock, and a sphagnum bog. Elevations range from 2,400 to 4,480 feet. There are about two miles of trail within the Wilderness. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail runs adjacent to the southern boundary for about four miles. Beartown lies in Tazewell County in southwest Virginia and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Eastern Divide Ranger District of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. It was designated in 1984.