Grayson Highlands State Park, established in 1965 in southwestern Virginia, spans 4,502 acres beside the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Jefferson National Forest. It is known for high-country scenery where forests, open balds, and rocky outcrops create a sharp contrast between wooded slopes and exposed mountain meadows. Trails, including a 2.8-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail, support hiking, backpacking, biking, horseback riding, and camping. The park is especially associated with ponies introduced in the 1970s and managed through annual roundups. It also serves as a cultural center for Blue Ridge music, festivals, folk jam sessions, and traditional craft demonstrations.