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The Community

The town of Richlands is located in the western part of Tazewell County, a land of beautiful rolling hills, clear rivers, lush pastures and scenic mountains. The county is part of the Clinch River Basin, named by The Nature Conservancy as one of the 20 “Last Great Places” in the world.

With nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools, the Tazewell County School District offers a rigorous academic program for all students, including programs for gifted and talented students, as well as those with special needs. Pre-schools and private schools are also available.

The county is home to Southwest Virginia Community College, which offers more than 80 programs of study and hosts many cultural and musical events throughout the year - everything from jazz to traditional Appalachian music and classical ensembles. Tazewell County also features the Historic Crab Orchard Museum, a reconstructed pioneer settlement that features many living history events and offers an overview of the region’s rich heritage. One of the area’s more spectacular natural features is Burke’s Garden, a 20,000-acre mountain-top bowl, which is also known as God’s Thumbprint.

Within 100 miles of Richlands, Virginia you will also find some of the highest ranking universities and colleges including, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Radford University, King University, Emory and Henry College, University of Virginia at Wise, Concord University, Bluefield College and Bluefield State College.

With a more relaxed and hometown feel, popular dining options include Cuz’s Uptown Barbeque, The Bearded Moose, Italian Village, Red Flower, Fisher & Company, El Mariachi, and more. Visitors can take advantage of the Farmer’s Market in town, join in on the fun at the annual Cedar Bluff Heritage Festival in September, venture through the Corn Maze at the Crab Orchard Museum in the fall, or join the community for a variety of local high school sporting events throughout the year. 

Weekend getaways are only a short drive away. Residents have quick access to Abingdon, Virginia, a historic town where you can catch a play at the well-known historic Barter Theatre, bike the Creeper Trail, have a relaxing stay at the historic Martha Washington Inn & Spa, and take advantage of finer dining options like The Tavern. Another option is the short drive to Bristol, VA-TN or The Pinnacle for popular shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Nearby Cities include the Tri-Cities, VA/TN (50 miles), Knoxville, TN (150 miles), Charlotte, NC (210 miles), and Washington, D.C. (350 miles) – all of which have airports for easy access to Richlands, Virginia.

Recreation 

The Four Seasons Country of Tazewell and neighboring counties provides many opportunities for golfers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Not far from Richlands is world-class whitewater rafting on the world’s second-oldest river, the New River, and skiers can take to the slopes at nearby Winterplace Resort. Bikers can take advantage of 32 miles of the most exciting and technical road to ride on, with its unmatched beauty on VA Route 16, a two-lane ribbon know as “Back of the Dragon”. Fishermen can choose to cast a lure in numerous native trout streams including Big Tumbling Creek and Roaring Fork, quiet lakes including South Holston Reservoir, Claytor Lake, Lake Witten, and Laurel Bed Lake or local rivers including the Clinch and Holston rivers. Hiking in national forests, mountain biking on country roads, or competing in 5k races and other events are among the many other outdoor activities available. The nearby Jefferson National Forest, for example, features more than 400 miles of maintained trails, including 60 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Tazewell County is also home to six of the eight designated points for the Mountain Heritage Loop, part of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail. Other wildlife in the area include black bear, trophy whitetail deer and wild turkey.

Athletic programs are also popular in Richlands, Virginia. There are many opportunities for children to be involved in a little league program or school sports program including dance, baseball, football, softball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, golf, track, cross country or basketball. If sports isn’t their preference, they can take music lessons, join the high school Scholastic Bowl team, or join a youth group at many various religious organizations.

For family fun, memberships are available at the Tazewell County Country Club, which features a swimming pool, clubhouse, and golf course; The YMCA in Tazewell is a fitness center featuring a swimming pool and many fitness classes to choose from; a smaller branch of the YMCA is located on the campus of Southwest Virginia Community College featuring a fitness facility and classes; and the Wellness Center is another fitness center also available for membership in Claypool Hill.