High Knob & Norton, VA
Regional highlight — highest town in Virginia & tower views
🚗 45 min–1 hour from Johnson City · ~40 miles from Kingsport · Kingsport via US-23 N to Norton
This destination is part of the Tri-Cities region and immediate mountain backyard — included here because visitors and locals both ask for the best nearby outdoor days, not because you're leaving the metro.
Best season: Summer heat escape; fall color Sep–Oct
Getting there
Get driving directions from Johnson City ↗ · Open in Google Maps ↗
Map shows Norton, VA. Times vary from Kingsport and Bristol.
Norton sits at roughly 2,400 feet — one of the highest incorporated towns in Virginia — and High Knob tower climbs higher still for panoramas into KY, VA, and TN.
For Kingsport and northern Sullivan County this is backyard mountains, not destination travel.
Highlights
- High Knob Observation Tower
- High Knob Lake & recreation area trails
- Norton downtown dining
- Flag Rock overlook area
Sample one-day itinerary
Paved road to near summit; short walk to tower.
High Knob Lake loop if open; pack lunch.
Coffee or early dinner before US-23 south.
Know before you go
- Tower road can ice early — check winter closures.
- Much closer from Kingsport than Johnson City.
- Breaks Interstate Park is 45 min farther north if extending.
Links & resources
More day trips
25–35 min 📖 Jonesborough, TN
25–35 min 🌊 Erwin & the Nolichucky Gorge
30–45 min 🛥️ South Holston Lake
30–45 min
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