Draper, VA

Tucked into the rolling farmland of Pulaski County, Draper is a quiet, tight-knit community of around 300 residents. Life here moves at an easy pace, shaped largely by the New River Trail State Park, which winds directly through the center of town along an old railroad bed. It gives locals direct access to miles of biking, hiking, and horseback riding right outside their doors, lending the village a relaxed, outdoorsy charm.

ATTRDclemens1971 / CC BY 4.0

At the heart of the community sits the historic Draper Mercantile, a restored 19th-century landmark with a cafe, local artisan shops, and bike rentals. Charming older homes and open pastures fill out the surrounding valley against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge foothills. While Draper offers plenty of rural peace, it sits just off Interstate 81, making trips to nearby towns and everyday errands quick and simple.