Dragon’s Tooth is a very unique 35-foot rock spire sitting on top of Cove Mountain in Catawba, Virginia. This unique rock formation is very popular and attracts lots of people! My husband and I watched sunrise from the top one cold, fall morning and shared the experience with only one other person. It was worth waking up at 3 AM!
Tackle this challenging yet short hike to Dragon’s Tooth for amazing panoramic views! Go early in the morning for sunrise or later in the evening for sunset. Either way, the experience will be one to remember. Always know your limits and be careful! This route involves some rock scrambling which makes this hike along the Appalachian Trail even more interesting.
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Know Before You Go
Stay on the trail!
The U.S. Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club are asking visitors of Dragon’s Tooth to stay on the marked trails. Camping along the Dragon’s Tooth Trail and the Boy Scout Trail is prohibited. There are signs that clearly advise people to stay on the trails along with roped off areas to protect the vegetation. However, camping along the Appalachian Trail at designated sites is allowed! So, you’re probably wondering why that area needs to be specially protected?
A rare native plant, known as the pirate bush, has decreased in numbers due many people camping along the Dragon’s Tooth Trail over the years. This plant can only survive in a specific, delicately balance habitat. Soil compaction, vegetation loss, sedimentation, and pollution of nearby streams have been the negative effects as a result of recreational impact.
Do your part by staying on the marked trail and camping only in the designated camp sites!
Leave No Trace
Before you go, please make sure you understand the Leave No Trace principles. These seven principles help reduce our environmental impact from outdoor recreational activities. Nature is meant to be enjoyed and respected. 🌱
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
About the Trail
Dragon’s Tooth Hike
Location: Dragon’s Tooth is located within the Jefferson National Forest in Catawba, Virginia.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 4.8 miles with an elevation gain of 1,250 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 2.5 to 4 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is an out-and-back hike.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate to hard depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail has dirt, rocks, and rocky steps. The last half mile consists of rock scrambling.
Pet-friendly? Yes! Your furry friend must be a on leash.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The Dragon’s Tooth Trailhead is located off Route 311, west of Catawba and nearby the McAfee Knob Trailhead. It’s only about a 20 minutes’ drive from Roanoke, Virginia. The trailhead has a decent size gravel parking lot with two vault toilets. Due to this trail’s popularity, the parking lot fills up quick!
Put this address in Google maps: Dragons Tooth Trail Head, Parking lot, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Catawba, VA 24070
Trail Directions
The trail begins at the information kiosk at the end of the parking lot. Follow the blue blazes (trail markers) along the Dragon’s Tooth Trail. You will soon reach an intersection. Stay to the right to remain on the Dragon’s Tooth Trail.
Continue following the blue blazes until you reach another intersection. Again, take a right. This time you will be on the Appalachian Trail (South). Follow the white blazes.
The most exciting part of the hike has begun! If you have little to no rock scrambling experience, then you might struggle. But never fear, it’s doable with patience and fairly good physical fitness.
This short section consists of using both hands and feet to scramble up and over rocks. It is an uphill climb and is the toughest part of the whole hike!
Take your time and be careful on this last section. You will soon reach one last intersection before Dragon’s Tooth. Take a left onto the Dragon’s Tooth Spur Trail. This part of the trail eases out. Only a little more than a quarter mile left!
You made it! Stand in front of the Dragon’s Tooth and be in awe of its massive glory. If you’re feeling brave (and have the appropriate skills), you can walk behind the rock formation towards the right and climb on top of the Dragon’s Tooth.
That is where my husband and I watched sunrise. It was the perfect spot. The views were out-of-this-world!
It was sketchy climbing up but not as sketchy as climbing up to the tippity-top! My husband could do it no problem. He doesn’t get that weird vertigo-type feeling like I do sometimes. I couldn’t climb up there, but I did, ever-so-carefully, attempt. Maybe next time!
To get back to the parking lot, simply retrace your steps. Follow the Dragon’s Tooth Spur Trail, take a right at the intersection, follow the Appalachian Trail (North), take a left at the next intersection, follow the Dragon’s Tooth Trail, stay to the left to remain on the Dragon’s Tooth Trail, and return to the parking lot.
Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Alternate Route
You can either hike this trail out-and-back or you can make it into a loop.
To create a loop, follow the same directions as above until you reach the Dragon’s Tooth. Once you’re ready to return to the parking lot, follow the Dragon’s Tooth Spur Trail to the intersection. Take a right to get onto the Appalachian Trail (North).
At the next intersection, keep to the right to remain on the Appalachian Trail (North). In a little over a mile, take a left onto the Boy Scout Trail (connector trail). Next, take a right to get onto the Dragon’s Tooth Trail. In about 0.25 miles, you will reach the parking lot.
Avoid the Crowds
If you’re like me and my husband, you want to avoid crowded places at all cost! Here’s a few tips to (hopefully) help avoid all the people.
Get there early! You can start hiking to Dragon’s Tooth at any time you please. Most people start coming into the main trailhead parking lot around 8-10 AM. Dragon’s Tooth is also an incredible spot to watch sunrise so you might see some people joining you on the weekends during peak season.
My husband and I had already hiked to McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs which are a part of Virginia’s Triple Crown. Dragon’s Tooth was the missing piece! To make things more interesting, we decided to watch sunrise from the top.
Read about our personal experience hiking to Dragon’s Tooth in the dark and watching the most beautiful sunrise from the top!
Go on a weekday! The most popular days people hike Dragon’s Tooth is on the weekends. Most people don’t have work and the kids don’t have school. Therefore, the weekdays are the best days to go to avoid crowds. I understand that everyone cannot do this, and the weekends are the only free time you have off from work. But if you’re able to use some paid time off (PTO) from work just for one day to hike Dragon’s Tooth without the crowds, I’d recommend it!
Go in the offseason! This is the time of year when fewer people are traveling. Usually around late fall through the winter to early spring when the weather is not very ideal for outdoor activities. But BE CAREFUL! The top at Dragon’s Tooth can be very dangerous if there is any snow or ice.
Get a late start! If you are the type of person who enjoys watching sunset, then maybe you can start hiking later than everybody else. We’ve never hiked Dragon’s Tooth later in the day for sunset so we’re not entirely sure, but I would assume most people would be hiking down by the time you start hiking up.
READ THIS: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
We Vlogged Our Experience!
More Exciting Adventures in the Area
Watch sunrise from the top of Dragon’s Tooth
We did this and had the best time! Just make sure you bring the proper gear for hiking in the dark, including headlamps/flashlights, back-up batteries, paper and digital maps/compass, and an overall good understanding of the route you plan to take. This particular trail requires some rock scrambling which can be even trickier when it’s dark. Be prepared physically and mentally. It’s worth the added challenge to watch sunrise from the top of Dragon’s Tooth!
Tackle the Triple Crown of Virginia
The Triple Crown of Virginia is a big loop hike that involves Tinker Cliffs, McAfee Knob, and Dragon’s Tooth. I wanted to do this hike so badly but never got around to it during our short time living in Roanoke, Virginia. We didn’t have the proper gear for backpacking, so I was planning to hike it all in one day. That would be 35 miles… in one day.
I couldn’t quite get my husband on board with it at the time. He was the smart one and figured we should properly train for something like that prior to attempting it. We didn’t have that kind of time, but we will return and complete the Triple Crown, whether it be in one day or a two-night backpacking trip!
Watch Sunrise from McAfee Knob
I HIGHLY recommend waking up at the crack of dawn, hiking the 4 miles to McAfee Knob, and watching the sun rise over the horizon. It is an amazing experience you won’t regret! My husband and I did this in 2023 and saw one of the most amazing sunrises either of us has ever seen.
Experience breathtaking 270-degree views from McAfee Knob and take a picture at the famous ledge. The hike to McAfee Knob is the perfect little adventure for you and your family/friends/pets.
Read my Complete Guide to Hiking McAfee Knob in 2024 to learn about the best time to go, day hike gear, trailhead location (plus all about the current trailhead closure), trail directions, and more!
Hike 18 miles to McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs
This is a physical challenge my husband and I decided to take on (rather than doing the 35-mile Triple Crown hike). Although 18 miles is a lot of mileage to cover, it was feasible for us considering our fitness levels at the time. It was also one of the most beautiful hikes, especially since we did this during the fall. If you are in good physical condition and want a challenge, try this out!
Hike the Trails at Peaks of Otter
Peaks of Otter has been a popular tourist destination since the early 1900s. Located within the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Peaks of Otter is made up of three mountain peaks – Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Hiking is the most popular thing to do in the area with a total of seven beautiful trails. All of them are family-friendly and pet-friendly! The hikes vary from easy to strenuous, and each trail range from 1 to 4.5 miles long.
Read my Complete Guide to Visiting Peaks of Otter to help plan your trip! Learn more about the best time to visit, where to stay, places to eat and drink, and the top things to do at Peaks of Otter and the surrounding area. Hiking to each of the three Peaks of Otter is the best part, in our opinion!
Another fun physical challenge idea is hiking all three Peaks of Otter in one day. My husband and I did this in 2023 and had a blast! In summary, we tackled Sharp Top first and watched sunrise from the top, then Flat Top next, followed by Harkening Hill (which included Johnson Farm). The total mileage came out to be about 12 miles with 4,000 feet of elevation. It wasn’t easy! If you feel up to the challenge, then give it a shot!
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