Pound is one of those places you usually drive through on your way to somewhere else. You’re likely headed toward the Kentucky border or deeper into the coalfields of Wise County, and suddenly, you’re in this narrow valley tucked between ridges. It’s quiet. It’s rugged.
Actually, the town of Pound VA isn't what most people expect when they hear "Appalachian town." It isn't a manicured tourist village with fake waterwheels. It’s a real, grit-and-soil community that has spent the last century navigating the highs of the coal boom and the long, slow exhale that followed. If you've spent any time in Southwest Virginia, you know the name. But you might not know the weird, fascinating history—or why the natural scenery around here is arguably some of the best in the Eastern United States.
Why they call it "The Pound" anyway
Names usually have a boring origin. Not this one.
Before the town was officially incorporated in 1946, the area was known as "The Pound." Why? Because of a literal pound. Long before paved roads or the US-23 corridor, early settlers and local indigenous groups noted a specific horseshoe bend in the river. It was a natural enclosure. Farmers would use this "pound" to keep their livestock or "impound" stray horses. It stuck. It’s simple, rugged, and feels exactly like the kind of name you’d give a place where the geography dictates how you live.
The town sits right on the Pound River. You’ll see the North Fork and South Fork converging, and for a long time, that water was the lifeblood of the local economy. It wasn’t just about farming, though. It was about the timber and, eventually, the "black gold" that defined the 20th century for everyone living in Wise County.
The shadow of the coal industry
You can't talk about the town of Pound VA without talking about coal. Period.
For decades, the town served as a hub for mining families. When the mines were humming, Pound was a bustling center of commerce. People had money in their pockets. The stores were full. But as the industry shifted toward automation and global demand changed, Pound had to figure out what it was without the constant rattle of coal trucks being the only heartbeat of the town.
It’s been a tough transition. If you walk through the downtown area today, you’ll see the remnants of that era—sturdy brick buildings that have seen better days and a community that is fiercely protective of its history. There’s a certain kind of resilience here. It isn't the "we're doing great" kind of fake optimism you see in brochures. It’s more of a "we’re still here, and we aren't going anywhere" vibe.
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Honestly, that’s what makes the town interesting. It’s authentic. You aren't getting a sanitized version of Virginia. You're getting the real thing.
Pine Mountain and the wild side of Pound
If the town is the heart, Pine Mountain is the soul. This massive ridge defines the skyline. It’s a 125-mile-long mountain that straddles the Virginia-Kentucky border.
For people who love the outdoors, this is the real reason to visit the town of Pound VA. It’s home to the Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail. We aren't talking about a flat gravel path in a city park. We’re talking about backcountry hiking that will actually challenge you.
What to see on the ridge:
- The Birch Knob Observation Tower: This is the crown jewel. If you drive up from Pound (it's a winding, narrow road, so be careful), you reach a point where you have to climb a series of wooden stairs. Once you're at the top, you’re at about 3,144 feet. On a clear day, you can see into five states: Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Sometimes even Ohio if the humidity is low and the stars align. It’s breathtaking. Seriously.
- The Channels: Not strictly in Pound, but close enough that people use the town as a base. These are massive sandstone crevices that look like something out of a fantasy movie.
- Bad Branch Falls: Just across the line in Kentucky, but accessed by the same ridge systems that define the Pound landscape.
The Lake and the quiet life
Just a few minutes outside of the main town area is North Fork of Pound Lake. It was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers back in the 60s.
It’s a different world down there.
The lake is surrounded by the Jefferson National Forest. There are no massive resorts. No jet ski rentals screaming across the water every five seconds. It’s mostly fishermen in johnboats and people looking for a quiet place to put in a kayak. There are miles of shoreline that look exactly like they did fifty years ago.
If you're into birdwatching, this is the spot. You’ll see ospreys and maybe even a bald eagle if you're lucky. The town of Pound VA might feel like a transit point, but the lake is where you realize people stay here because they actually love the land.
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Acknowledging the complications
We have to be real here: Pound has faced significant challenges. Like many small towns in Central Appalachia, it has struggled with a declining population and the loss of major tax revenue from the mines. There have been political hurdles too. For a while, the town’s government faced major scrutiny regarding its finances and its police department.
Some people will tell you the town is dying. Others will tell you it’s just changing.
The truth is somewhere in the middle. There is a younger generation trying to revitalize the downtown area, focusing on "recreation economies" rather than just extraction. They’re leaning into the fact that the town is a gateway to some of the most beautiful hiking and fishing in the country. It’s a slow process. It’s messy. But it’s happening.
What most people get wrong about Pound
There's a stereotype that these mountain towns are "stuck in time."
That’s a lazy take.
The town of Pound VA is very much in the present. They have high-speed internet. They’re connected to the global economy. The difference is the pace. People here value a specific kind of independence. They aren't interested in being the next Gatlinburg. They want a town that works for the people who actually live there.
How to actually spend a day here
If you're planning to stop by, don't just get gas and leave.
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Start your morning at a local diner. Get some biscuits and gravy. It’s fuel. Then, head straight for Birch Knob. Give yourself time to sit at the top. Don't just take a photo and run; listen to the wind coming off the ridge. It’s one of the few places in the East where you can feel that kind of scale.
After that, head down to the North Fork of Pound Lake. If you have a kayak, get it in the water. If not, hike the Laurel Fork Trail. It’s lush, green, and smells like damp earth and hemlock.
End your day by driving back through the town. Look at the architecture. Imagine the days when the sidewalks were packed with miners coming off their shifts. There’s a ghost of that energy still there.
Logistics and the "Know Before You Go" stuff
The town of Pound VA is located along US Route 23. It’s easy to find, but GPS can be a little wonky once you get off the main highway and start heading up into the mountains toward Birch Knob.
- Cell Service: It’s spotty. Once you leave the town limits and head into the national forest, expect your bars to drop. Download your maps ahead of time.
- Fuel: Fill up in town. There isn't much once you start climbing Pine Mountain.
- Weather: It can be 10 degrees cooler on the ridge than it is in the valley. Bring a jacket, even in the summer.
- Respect the Land: This is a high-biodiversity area. Stay on the trails.
The path forward
The future of Pound isn't written in coal anymore. It’s written in the dirt of the hiking trails and the water of the Pound River.
As more people look for "authentic" travel experiences—places that haven't been scrubbed clean by corporate tourism—towns like Pound are going to become more relevant. It offers a glimpse into a specific American experience that is both beautiful and difficult.
If you want to support the town, visit the local shops. Eat at the small restaurants. Don't expect a five-star hotel. Expect a real conversation with someone who has lived in those mountains for three generations.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Check the Birch Knob Road Status: Before you drive up, check local social media groups or the Forest Service website. Snow or downed trees can close the access road unexpectedly, even in late spring.
- Visit During Autumn: The peak foliage in Wise County usually hits in mid-to-late October. The view from the top of the mountain during this time is legitimately world-class.
- Support Local: Skip the chain fast food at the highway exit. Go into the town center and find a local spot. The economic impact of your lunch goes a lot further in a community like this.
- Pack for "Wild" Hiking: The trails on Pine Mountain are not groomed. Wear actual boots, carry a physical map, and let someone know where you’re going.
The town of Pound VA is a place of deep roots and high ridges. It’s a survivor. Whether you’re there for the history or the views, you’ll leave with a better understanding of what Appalachia actually looks like when the cameras aren't rolling.