Alum Springs
Alum Springs flows at 72°F in Pulaski County, Virginia, emerging 18.4 degrees above the 53.6°F ambient temperature at 1,967 feet elevation. The roadside spring (56 meters from Little Creek Road) sits in Appalachian Valley and Ridge topography where folded and faulted geology creates numerous spring systems. The name suggests alum (aluminum sulfate) mineralization, common in this region's spring waters.
The spring occupies forested valley terrain receiving 40.5 inches of annual precipitation and 20.2 inches of snow—humid continental climate supporting mixed hardwoods and pine. At 1,967 feet, the site sits within Virginia's complex valley system between parallel ridges. Stony Fork Campground lies 37.2 kilometers away along the Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway. The Appalachian Trail passes within regional proximity. Surrounding land includes mixed forest and agricultural valleys.
The name Alum Springs references mineral content typical of Appalachian thermal waters emerging through sedimentary geology. Historical documentation specific to this spring is limited. The Pulaski area was settled in the 18th century; the county formed in 1839. Virginia's numerous alum and mineral springs were valued for medicinal properties in the 19th century, though this particular spring's development history is unrecorded.
Roadside access (56 meters from Little Creek Road) makes the spring easily reachable year-round. The 72°F temperature provides modest warmth. Visit spring through fall when precipitation creates lush forest conditions; winter can bring ice and snow. Stony Fork Campground, 37 kilometers away, offers base-camp access to Big Walker Mountain trails and the Appalachian Trail.
Is Alum Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Stony Fork Cabin is a cozy one-bedroom hideaway with most of the comforts of home. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, explore the many nearby creeks, or simply relax on the cabin's private patio. The cabin is located within the Stony Fork Campground along the Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway. The Appalachian Trail, Seven Sisters Trail, and stocked fishing streams are all within a close proximity, and the site is easily accessed from I-77. State hunting and fishing regulations and lic...