Big Walker Lookout

If your going because of their ads in local magazines or a website and think they have a big country store with lots of gifts and crafts to choose from you are going to be sadly disappointed. I certainly was and I also had no intentions of climbing the tower after the reviews I read. On the other hand if you want to hear some decent blue grass music on Saturday or Sunday then by all means make the trip up this big hill. If I had read the reviews first I would not have gone. It’s really a big hype about nothing in my opinion. Except for the music on the weekend.

The Appalachians are beautiful, and Big Walker Lookout gives you a TERRIFYING but incredible view. The wind blows pretty hard at the top. Be ready. Don’t be scared. It’s sturdy and breathtaking.
My daughter is 12. She was extremely nervous at first, but she ended up making the climb. I’m super proud. The railing at the top has a protective wire frame to provide extra protection at the top.
I disagree with the previous reviews of Big Walker Lookout for this reason – BWL is a historic site. This tower was not built to make tourists happy. It was originally a forest fire observation tower. It served a specific purpose, and now that purpose is utilized for tourists. I get it. When you look up, you feel a tingle in the back of your knees. However, if you take the time to climb to the top, you will not be disappointed.

I’m all up for searching out the different and unusual when traveling through an area.
A very cute country store with all sorts of independent booths inside… nice.
A great vista overlooking a beautiful view with picnic tables and some historical marker… even better.
The fact that the store sells a great local ice cream… better still.
Hubby or me going up on that tower? No way, no how.
Again, I appreciate quirky, and if some guy wants to take a random spot of land way off the beaten path and turn it into something… great.
But much of what you will see if you visit here was obviously homemade, including the tower, and judging by their construction skills on the picnic table area with concrete pads and roof… and noting the retaining wall at the base of the tower with blocks scattered, dirt piles, and the swinging bridge that ends at a tower that goes literally nowhere… Sorry.
You are too far from any town, the ambulance that would have to be called if that tower gave way would be too long.
Spend your $ 5 inside and sit at the table. One booth had exceptionally nice soy candles that I picked out a couple, and another had rock slabs that will make great drink coasters for our coffee table. Also had your requisite «Virginia is for Lovers» coffee mugs and refrigerator magnets.
Do go visit, because patronizing the small business owner is always good, just skip that structure that Bubba built.