Wooded Mountain Cabin on 20.88 Acres with Creeks in Independence, Virginia — $235,000
Property Overview
Set among the wooded hills of southern Grayson County, this mountain cabin property combines approximately 20.88 acres of unrestricted land, two converging creeks, established wildlife habitat, and a cabin with four bedrooms. Located at 1127 Penn Ford Lane in Independence, Virginia, the property offers a setting suited to hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and spending time away from town.
The approach follows a gravel driveway through the woods to the cabin, where walnut trees surround the homesite. Mature oak, pine, poplar, and beech trees cover the surrounding hillsides, with elevations around 2,700 feet. A nearby creek adds to the natural setting, while two creeks converge near the cabin and offer the possibility of developing a small pond, subject to appropriate approvals and site conditions.
The Cabin and Interior
The two-story cabin has four bedrooms and one full bathroom, with a first-floor layout that includes the kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room. Two bedrooms are located upstairs, with the remaining bedrooms on the first floor.
Interior finishes include carpet and laminate flooring, and the windows are single-pane. The cabin has a slab foundation and a metal roof, with stucco and other exterior materials.
Heating is provided by a space heater, and the property has no central cooling system. The kitchen includes a range and microwave. There is no basement or fireplace.
Wooded Acreage and Wildlife Habitat
The land is a major part of what makes this property appealing. Approximately 20.88 acres of rolling and partially level terrain provide a combination of wooded hillsides, established trails, natural cover, and areas to explore.
The timber includes mature oak, pine, poplar, beech, and walnut trees. The property has been actively managed for wildlife since 2021. A selective timber harvest completed in 2023 was intended to improve deer habitat while retaining mature oak trees for their acorn production.
Timber stand improvement work created additional bedding cover, browse, travel corridors, and wildlife food sources. The habitat supports deer, turkey, bear, and other wildlife found in the region.
A box blind conveys with the property, making it particularly appealing to buyers interested in hunting. Existing logging roads also provide access through much of the acreage and create opportunities for:
- Deer and turkey hunting.
- Hiking and walking through the woods.
- Mountain biking along existing logging roads.
- Mushroom foraging and wildlife photography.
- Walking dogs and exploring the wooded acreage.
For anyone interested in managing their own recreational land, the existing habitat improvements and trail network provide a useful starting point.
Creeks, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation
Water is another notable feature of this property. Two creeks converge near the cabin, and the surrounding terrain offers potential for a small pond. The property also has a creek and stream view.
The New River is approximately 0.65 miles away as the crow flies. The Independence Boat Launch is approximately a 12-minute drive from the property, according to the listing information.
The New River is well known for outdoor activities including smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. Its river access points and surrounding recreational areas make it a natural destination for fishing trips and days on the water.
After spending time on the river or exploring the acreage, the cabin provides a place to return, prepare dinner, and enjoy an evening around a campfire.
Additional Land Potential
Beyond its current recreational uses, the acreage offers potential for additional homesites. Existing logging roads lead to other portions of the property, including locations that may offer mountain views.
Buyers interested in building should evaluate individual sites, access, terrain, utilities, septic requirements, and applicable county regulations before making development plans. The property’s unrestricted designation and RF zoning are worth discussing with Grayson County officials when considering future uses.
With its combination of wooded acreage, water features, wildlife habitat, and existing cabin, the land can serve as a hunting camp, weekend retreat, or base for exploring the surrounding mountains and river country.
Location: Independence and Grayson County, Virginia
Independence is the county seat of Grayson County, in the Blue Ridge region of southwestern Virginia. The county is known for its rural communities, mountain landscapes, agricultural land, forests, and outdoor recreation.
Grayson County had an estimated population of approximately 15,230 in 2025. With relatively low population density and a large amount of rural land, the region has a different pace from Virginia’s larger metropolitan areas.
Independence provides local services and everyday shopping, while nearby communities and regional destinations offer additional options for healthcare, recreation, and travel.
Safety and Crime Information
Grayson County and the Town of Independence have their own law enforcement reporting areas. Virginia publishes crime statistics through its statewide crime reporting system, but countywide and townwide figures do not establish the crime conditions at an individual property or on a particular road.
Prospective buyers who want to review local crime information should consider the most recent Virginia State Police reporting data and contact the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office for questions about local law enforcement services. No property-specific safety rating or conclusion is assigned here.
Nearby Schools and Education
Grayson County Public Schools serves the Independence area. Nearby public schools within the division include:
- Independence Elementary School: Kindergarten through fifth grade, located in Independence.
- Independence Middle School: Grades six through eight, located in Independence.
- Grayson County High School: Grades nine through twelve, located in Independence.
- Grayson County Career and Technical Education Center: Career and technical education opportunities for eligible students.
These are schools in the surrounding area, not a confirmed attendance assignment for this parcel. Buyers should verify current school boundaries and enrollment arrangements directly with Grayson County Public Schools.
Healthcare and Medical Services
Medical services are available in the surrounding communities, with additional hospital services in nearby Galax.
- Twin County Regional Healthcare: A hospital in Galax offering emergency services, acute care, diagnostic services, surgical care, and other medical specialties.
- Twin County Physician Practices: Medical practices include family medicine services in Independence and surrounding communities.
- Local pharmacies: Food City in Independence includes a pharmacy.
For emergency medical needs, buyers should familiarize themselves with the nearest emergency department and available emergency response services before relying on a rural mountain property as a full-time residence.
Shopping and Everyday Services
Independence provides several useful options for everyday shopping and supplies. Food City on East Main Street offers groceries, a pharmacy, a bakery, deli items, and other convenience services.
Rixey’s Market is another local option, offering groceries, fuel, farm and garden supplies, animal feed, and other general merchandise.
Additional local businesses and services include convenience stores, fuel stops, restaurants, and small specialty shops. Buyers can also find a wider selection of retail and professional services in nearby Galax.
Parks, Mountains and Recreation
This part of southwestern Virginia is particularly appealing to people who enjoy outdoor activities. The property’s location provides access to several established recreational destinations.
- New River: Fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and other river activities. The Independence Boat Launch is approximately 12 minutes away by car, according to the property listing.
- Grayson Highlands State Park: Known for its mountain scenery, hiking trails, high-elevation landscapes, and opportunities to explore the surrounding wilderness.
- Mount Rogers: Virginia’s highest mountain and a popular destination for hiking and exploring the region’s high-country terrain.
- Public hunting areas: Additional opportunities for outdoor recreation and hunting are available in the wider region, subject to public-land regulations and applicable seasons.
The combination of private wooded acreage and nearby public recreation gives buyers several ways to enjoy the surrounding mountain country throughout the year.
Transportation and Regional Access
The property is accessed from Penn Ford Lane by a gravel driveway that continues through the wooded acreage to the cabin. The existing logging roads provide additional access across portions of the tract.
Independence serves as the principal local service center for Grayson County. The New River, Grayson Highlands, and Mount Rogers provide recreational destinations in the surrounding region.
The New River’s proximity is particularly useful for buyers who plan to spend time fishing, kayaking, or enjoying river excursions. The stated distance of approximately 0.65 miles is measured in a straight line, not by road.
Utilities and Internet Connectivity
The property has a spring water supply and septic tank. Heating is listed as a space heater, and gas service is identified as other or to be confirmed in the property information.
Electricity and internet arrangements should be confirmed directly for the parcel. Although broadband and other internet services are available in parts of Grayson County, rural coverage can vary significantly from one location to another.
Buyers should independently verify internet speeds, cellular reception, electrical service, spring water capacity and quality, septic condition, and any additional utility requirements before purchase.
Local Planning and Development
Grayson County’s Planning Commission oversees land-use planning, zoning, subdivision regulations, and comprehensive planning. The property’s listed RF zoning and unrestricted land description make it worthwhile for prospective buyers to discuss their intended use with the county before undertaking construction or land improvements.
No specific approved development project or planned infrastructure improvement has been established here as affecting this property. Buyers considering additional construction, pond development, or new access routes should confirm the relevant permitting and land-use requirements.
Grayson County Housing Market History
Historical housing data provides some context for the broader county market. The following figures use the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s annual All-Transactions House Price Index for Grayson County, Virginia.
This index measures changes in residential property values over time. It is an index rather than a dollar estimate of an individual home or recreational land parcel.
| Year | House Price Index | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 171.18 | — |
| 2022 | 205.74 | +20.2% |
| 2023 | 218.61 | +6.3% |
| 2024 | 229.03 | +4.8% |
| 2025 | 242.88 | +6.0% |
The index increased approximately 41.9% between 2021 and 2025. This reflects historical countywide housing-market changes, not a guaranteed change in the value of this cabin or its acreage. Rural properties with substantial land, recreational features, and different utility arrangements may perform differently from the broader housing market.
Property Summary
| Property Type | Single-Family Residence / Cabin |
|---|---|
| Property Address | 1127 Penn Ford Lane |
| City | Independence |
| County | Grayson County |
| State | Virginia |
| ZIP Code | 24348 |
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Bathrooms | 1 Full Bathroom |
| Interior Living Area | 1,267 Square Feet |
| Lot Size | 20.88 ± Acres |
| Year Built | 1983 |
| Stories | 2 |
| Architectural Style | Cabin |
| Foundation | Slab |
| Roof | Metal |
| Exterior Materials | Stucco and Other Materials |
| Heating | Space Heater |
| Cooling | None |
| Appliances Included | Range and Microwave |
| Flooring | Carpet and Laminate |
| Water Supply | Spring |
| Sewer | Septic Tank |
| Parking | Gravel Driveway |
| Outdoor Features | Covered Porch, Mature Trees, Wooded Acreage |
| Water Features | Creeks and Creek/Stream Views |
| Land Characteristics | Wooded, Level Areas, Rolling Slope, Views |
| Wildlife Features | Managed Wildlife Habitat and Conveying Box Blind |
| Land Use | Unrestricted, as described in the listing |
| Zoning | RF |
| Parcel Number | 72A52E |
| HOA | None |
| Annual Property Taxes | $1,068 |
| Tax Assessed Value | $142,900 |
Showings are available by appointment. Prospective buyers are encouraged to explore the acreage, cabin, water features, access roads, and surrounding terrain to determine whether the property meets their needs.
Photography credit: Original property photographers. Property description and information credit: Original property owners and listing contributors. All rights to original photographs and materials remain with their respective owners and creators.
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