They say Virginia is for lovers. We say it’s for log cabin lovers. This scenic state truly has it all. Virginia’s historic towns, picturesque coastline, lush forests, and welcoming culture draw thousands of new residents each year.
Virginia is an ideal place to live, with temperate weather, a diversified economy, and a rich cultural heritage that goes back to the country’s founding.
Whether you’re dreaming of a vacation cabin for your family or you’re ready for year-round log home living, we’ve put together a list of the top spots to build a log cabin in Virginia.
Shenandoah Valley
This scenic valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains is famous for its natural beauty, charming towns, and rich history. Whether you love outdoor activities like hiking and fishing or cultural adventures like wine tasting and fine dining, the Shenandoah Valley has it all.
Living in the valley gives you easy access to Shenandoah National Park, with more than 200,000 acres of forests, hollows, caverns, and cascading waterfalls to explore. Popular areas for a log cabin include Front Royal (the gateway to Shenandoah National Park), Harrisonburg, and Winchester.
Why we love it: This spectacular valley is just 75 miles from the hustle and bustle of America’s capital city, yet feels worlds away.
Population: 44,000
Elevation: 500-1,500 ft.
Galax
This small Appalachian town is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, your gateway to year-round outdoor adventure. You’ll love taking in live music and great food at the town’s charming restaurants, theaters, and breweries before heading out for fishing, hunting, and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Wooded lots are affordable in the area, starting at just $5,000 an acre.
Why we love it: Galax is a bluegrass music hub, with a long history of hosting concerts and festivals dedicated to the genre.
Population: 7,000
Elevation: 2,400 ft.
Damascus
Known as “Trail Town USA,” several renowned trails intersect within the Damascus town limits, including the Virginia Creeper Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route. Damascus also has a thriving community of artisanal brewers and restaurateurs. Every day feels like vacation here.
Why we love it: Hiking and mountain biking are a way of life in Damascus, thanks to the abundance of trails in the area. If cycling is your passion, this is your place.
Population: 800
Elevation: 1,950 ft.
Big Stone Gap
A former Appalachian coal-mining town, residents of Big Stone Gap in southwestern Virginia are down-to-earth and partial to tradition. Big Stone Gap is nestled in the mountains, perfect for your log cabin hideaway. If you want to be part of a no-fuss community, add Big Stone Gap to your list of possible spots.
Why we love it: Mountains spring up on all sides of Big Stone Gap, offering outdoor recreational opportunities in every direction.
Population: 5,200
Elevation: 1,530 ft.
Abingdon
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Abingdon is one of the state’s most popular small towns for visitors. It’s also a fantastic place to live all year round. The famous Virginia Creeper Trail ends (or begins, depending on your perspective) in Abingdon, offering everyday opportunities for hiking and horseback riding. You can find large lots in the area for as little as $1K-$2K per acre.
Why we love it: Named after Martha Washington’s ancestral home in England, Abingdon was officially established in 1778 and is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene.
Population: 8,300
Elevation: 2,080 ft.
Pearisburg
A picturesque town in Giles County, Pearisburg is situated near the New River and the Appalachian Mountains. It’s an ideal spot for building a log cabin, as the area offers stunning natural beauty and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Half-acre lots in the Pearisburg area start at around $30K per acre.
Why we love it: The New River offers year-round recreational opportunities, from fly fishing to kayaking to rafting.
Population: 2,860
Elevation: 1,800 ft.
Bedford
This quaint town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is close to the Peaks of Otter and the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, making it an ideal location for a log cabin. Natural beauty abounds in the area, including Smith Mountain Lake, a popular waterway for fishing and boating. Beautiful, wooded properties start at around $30K an acre.
Why we love it: Bedford is the site of a D-Day memorial, attracting visitors from around the world who come to pay their respects to the brave soldiers who fought and died on the shores of Normandy.
Population: 6,600
Elevation: 1,000 ft.
Warm Springs/Hot Springs
The neighboring hamlets of Warm Springs and Hot Springs in Bath County are known for their natural hot springs and picturesque mountain scenery. Living in this area gives you prime access to world-class resorts and nature reserves, perfect for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. You can find one-acre lots in the area starting around $25K.
Why we love it: From world-class spas to lush golf resorts to open spaces, the Warm Springs/Hot Springs area is perfect for a log cabin vacation home.
Population: 600 (Warm Springs + Hot Springs)
Elevation: 2,270 ft.
Buchanan
A small town in Virginia’s famous Shenandoah Valley, Buchanan’s proximity to the James River makes it a perfect location for a riverside cabin. Buchanan gives you easy access to the James River Water Trail, a 340-mile route for paddlers and boaters that ends at Chesapeake Bay. If you’re a devoted paddler or boater, you’ll love living in Buchanan.
Why we love it: Buchanan is home to one of America’s few remaining swinging bridges, which spans 350 feet across the James River, offering breathtaking views.
Population: 1,200
Elevation: 850 ft.
Roanoke
Virginia’s Roanoke Valley is a nature lover’s paradise, thanks to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway. You could spend a lifetime exploring the region’s 1,000 miles of trails and waterways and Roanoke Valley’s farm-to-table restaurants, historic sites, and cultural attractions.
Why we love it: Known as the mountain biking capital of the East Coast, the Roanoke area boasts more than 400 miles of biking trails, from easy to advanced.
Population: 98,850 (city of Roanoke)
Elevation: 900 ft.
Lexington
Home to two colleges, Lexington is a vibrant little town in the picture-perfect Shenandoah Valley. History buffs will love the town’s museums and historic sites, while hunters and anglers will want to explore the area’s many trails, creeks, and rivers. You can find private wooded lots in and around Lexington for less than $10,000 an acre, perfect for your riverside cabin or homestead.
Why we love it: Full of classic charm and Southern hospitality, it’s no surprise Frommer’s has called Lexington one of Virginia’s Best Small Towns.
Population: 7,400
Elevation: 1,060 ft.
Chincoteague & Onancock
We can’t talk about log cabin living in Virginia without mentioning the state’s stunning coastline. Chincoteague and Onancock are some of Virginia’s coolest coastal towns. They’re also some of the most historic, founded nearly a century before the country was established. Both towns have incredible seafood, scenic beauty, and thriving arts, culture, and music scenes.
Why we love it: If you love boating and kayaking, you could spend a lifetime exploring the inlets and waterways around Chincoteague, Onancock, and the entire eastern shore.
Population: 2,800 (Chincoteague); 1,600 (Onancock)
Partner with eLoghomes to Build Your Virginia Log Cabin
Log cabin life is calling in beautiful Virginia. When you’re ready to build the Virginia log cabin of your dreams, eLoghomes is here to help you map out your vision. As one of the leading log cabin builders in VA, we’re experts in the log home kit space.
Take a virtual tour of some of our most popular log cabin models, then search our catalog to find your perfect floor plan, from 400-4,000+ square feet.