Rooted in Appalachian culture, Russell County—“The Heart of Southwest Virginia”—is steeped in history, from Daniel Boone’s passage to coal mining and farming legacies that still shape the community. Once dependent on coal, the region is reclaiming its story through outdoor recreation and heritage tourism.
The Sugar Hill French Settlement, now part of Clinch River State Park, showcases the remains of an 18th-century French outpost and offers hiking and biking opportunities along the Sugar Hill Loop Trail. Nearby, the town of Dante has transformed reclaimed mining land into the Dante Coal Miner’s Trail and Heritage Trail, with a campground on the grounds of a former school.
In Castlewood, the Old Russell County Courthouse, built in 1799, stands as one of the oldest public buildings in the region.
Explore local history at the Dante Coal and Railroad Museum, where exhibits, videos, and a detailed model preserve the story of the once-booming coal camp and its path toward revitalization through tourism.
