Activities
NEW - Click for guided
video tour of creek access points.
Corncrib Gift Shop
Jeanie and Bernie Drummond, the helpful caretakers at Olde
Surber Station, have recently restored and remodeled the
old corncrib and are now offering crafts, antiques, soaps,
handmade rugs, and other nice items for sale. Hours of the
shop are by request, so talk to Jeanie if you’d like to
visit the Corncrib.
Hiking
Miles of private hiking
trails wind through the adjoining acreage. In addition
Jefferson National Forest, adjacent to the property, has numerous
nearby trails.
Fishing, warm-water
Pristine Craig Creek, which is really more of a river than
a creek, flows through the property and is readily accessible
for wading or shore fishing. Over a mile of shoreline is
available to bait fishermen and flyfishermen. The warm-water
creek contains plentiful smallmouth, redeye, pickerel, and
of course lots of bluegill. Flyfishing for sizable smallmouth
is an exciting activity. We can provide a guide if you wish,
to show you the best spots and give pointers. You do not
need a license to fish our part of Craig Creek.
Fishing, cold-water
While Craig Creek is too warm in the summer to support trout,
trout
fishing is available in a nearby cold-water stream .
Only a 15 minute drive takes you to the beautiful tumbling
mountain trout stream called Roaring Run that has both a
catch-and-release and put-and-take section. The lower put-and-take
section is stocked
with rainbow and brown trout. The upper catch-and-release
section is tocked with fingerling rainbow trout and also
native brook trout. The rest of the family will also enjoy
an easy trail up to a beautiful waterfall with natural water
slides.A Virginia
State Fishing and Trout license is required to fish
this stream and can be purchased online. There are numerous
other trout streams within a one-hour driving radius of
Olde Surber Station
Canoeing
Craig Creek is fine for gentle canoeing, particularly in
the spring and early summer. We have two Grumman canoes
available for guests to use, and we can assist with put-ins
and take-outs.
Swimming and Inner Tubing
Craig Creek has crystal clear water and it's a lot warmer
in the summertime than you might think a mountain stream
would be. It's very comfortable for swimming. Many groups
like to float lazily down the stream on inner tubes on a
warm summer afternoon. You need to bring "creek shoes"
to wear while swimming, as the bottom is very rocky.
Birdwatching/Wildlife watching
Due to the remoteness and nearness to the Jefferson National
Forest, birds and wildlife are plentiful and easily observed
from the hiking trails, old railroad, and fields. Numerous
pileated woodpeckers, many varieties of hawk, herons, grouse,
cedar waxwing, indigo bunting, bluebirds, goldfinch, wild
turkey, and many, many other species can be seen, as well
as whitetail deer, black bear, raccoon, fox, bobcat, and
others.
Hunting
We allow bow hunting on our property, and thousands of acres
of national forest are accessible from the property.
Fourwheeling
If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, a number of nearby
national forest roads and trails are open to you.
Pickin' and Singin'
Our area is known for its oldtime
and bluegrass mountain music. We can arrange for a private
session of picking and singing, or even a banjo lesson for
those interested in learning how to pick.
Relaxing
We recommend Reading, Porch Sitting, Fossil Hunting, Roasting
Marshmallows and Singing around the Campfire.
Area Attractions
Here are links to a few of the many attractions within an
hour to an hour and a half drive from Olde Surber Station.
We can provide driving directions and other recommendations
for dining and sightseeing.
O.
Winston Link Museum
Roanoke
Railroad Museum
Natural
Bridge
The
National D-Day Memorial
Jefferson
National Forest
Center
in the Square
The
Jefferson Pools
Lexington
Gliding
Appalachian
Trail
