Photo Credit – Ron Flanary

When the L&N railroad came through Lee County it connected to a spur line in Pennington Gap and a depot located in the middle of town. US 58Alternate runs from Jonesville to Big Stone Gap with Pennington Gap about midway, a crossroads of tracks from mining communities.

Photo Credit – Harold Jerrell

Photo Credit – Belcher Images

On State Route 421 north of Pennington Gap, Great Stone Face Rock  hangs precariously over the highway. Created by nature centuries ago, also suggested it could have been carved by Cherokee Indians, the town’s logo is visible in the southern direction near the railroad trestle. Train tracks tunnel through the bottom making way from mining communities of Bonny Blue, Kem Gem and the town of Saint Charles.

Overlooking Great Stone Face, Stone Mountain ATV Trail has nine stunning overlook vistas never before offered to the public. Experience 34 miles of challenging intermediate to advanced level OHV trails on 500 acres at Pennington Gap. Many of the overlooks have rest areas and picnic tables for outdoor dining with unmatched views. Stone Mountain’s trailhead is located at Leeman Field Welcome Center with Leeman Field RV Park and Campground.

Leeman Field, constructed in 1933, was once the world’s largest enclosed baseball field.  For 25 years Pennington Gap hosted the Miners, a St. Louis Browns affiliate minor league. A greenway along the trout stocked north fork of Powell River, and an 18-hole disc golf course combine to offer leisurely activity along with scheduled events such as dirt drag racing or tractor pulls.  Leeman Field Park also has a children’s playground and seasonal swimming pool, horse arena, stables and is the site for Fourth of July Celebrations, the longest running fair in Virginia in August, and Christmas Fantasy in Lights from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve.