Bragg Spring
Bragg Spring produces 75-degree water that flows 24.4 degrees above ambient temperature at 2,508 feet elevation in Highland County, Virginia. Located just 81 meters from the nearest road near Monterey, this roadside thermal feature emerges in the high valleys of the Allegheny Mountains where cool mountain conditions prevail year-round.
The spring rises in Virginia's western highlands at an elevation where mixed hardwood forests and mountain meadows dominate the landscape. Highland County's rugged terrain experiences substantial precipitation totaling 48.7 inches annually, including 32.4 inches of snow, creating a humid mountain climate. The surrounding Allegheny Mountains form a distinctive ridged landscape with steep-sided valleys and elevated plateaus. Bragg Spring emerges in a setting where the average annual temperature measures only 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit, making the thermal water noticeably warm against the mountain air.
Visit during late spring through early fall when mountain roads are most reliably passable. Highland County receives significant snowfall, with winter access potentially challenging. The roadside location requires minimal hiking ability. Monterey serves as the nearest supply point. Consider combining a visit with exploration of other thermal features in Bath and Highland counties to the south, all within an hour's drive.
The spring's name likely derives from a local landowner or early settler family, following the naming pattern common throughout Virginia's mountain counties during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Documentation of the spring's historical use remains limited in available records. The thermal feature appears in the 1980 NOAA thermal springs survey, confirming its status as a documented geothermal resource in the Virginia highlands.
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With a convenient location just off State Route 92 this campground is great for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Two Lick Trailhead is located within the campground and providing easy and accessible access. Also each campsite is furnished with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern ring.
Bragg Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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