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Off-Grid Blue Ridge Parkway Sanctuary: Complete Analysis of Shooting Creek Road Cabin & 7.12 Acres

Finding an authentic, functional off-grid retreat directly along the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor is becoming increasingly difficult. When a unique property like Shooting Creek Road, Ferrum, VA 24088 (Parcel ID: 097 00002 00) goes up for auction, it immediately draws strong interest from off-grid homesteaders, hunters, and weekend getaway seekers.

Positioned right inside the Franklin and Floyd County line, this 7.12-acre mountain parcel features two cabins, an established solar energy system, gravity-fed spring water, a camper trailer, and approximately 400 feet of direct frontage on Shooting Creek.

Because this property is being sold via public auction ending September 30th at 4:00 PM, understanding its legal right-of-way access, steep mountain topography, and included personal property is critical before placing a bid. Here is an in-depth analysis of what this Blue Ridge off-grid sanctuary offers.

Complete Property Specifications & Disclosures

Evaluating the core specifications provides a clear baseline of what this Virginia mountain listing includes:

  • Property Type: Unimproved Land with Off-Grid Cabins & Personal Property
  • Sale Format: Public Auction (Bidding ends September 30th at 4:00 PM)
  • Lot Size: 7.12 Acres (Fully Wooded)
  • Location: Shooting Creek Road, Ferrum, VA 24088 (Franklin / Floyd County Line)
  • Parcel Number: 097 00002 00
  • Tax Assessed Value: $26,400
  • Annual Property Taxes: $124 / year
  • Topography: Steep, Rugged Mountain Land
  • Water Features: ~400 Feet Frontage on Shooting Creek, Active Mountain Springs & Streams
  • Utilities: None (Fully Off-Grid Setup)
  • Primary Structures: Upper Off-Grid Cabin, Second Lower Cabin Shell, Camper Trailer
  • HOA Dues: $0 / Month (No HOA)

Off-Grid Cabins & Personal Property Inclusions

Unlike raw, unimproved acreage where buyers must construct shelters from scratch, this 7.12-acre parcel comes pre-equipped with functional off-grid living quarters. Furthermore, all personal property on-site conveys with the purchase.

The Upper Main Cabin

Located on the Northeast side of Shooting Creek Road, the primary upper cabin is custom-built for sustainable off-grid living:

  • Exterior Build: Constructed with T111 wood siding, a durable metal roof, and an exterior Trex deck for outdoor sitting.
  • Heating System: Centered around a premium Jøtul wood stove connected to a triple-wall stainless steel stove pipe for safe winter heating.
  • Interior Finishes: Features natural oak hardwood flooring across several rooms.
  • Off-Grid Power: Outfitted with a standalone solar panel array connected to an interior power inverter system.
  • Sanitation: Equipped with an indoor composting toilet system.
  • Gravity-Fed Water Line: Features an active interior water supply fed by a natural mountain spring located roughly 450 feet up the ridge line, using pure gravity pressure without electricity.

The Lower Second Cabin & Camper Trailer

  • Lower Cabin: Situated on the Southeast side of Shooting Creek Road, providing a secondary shell suitable for guest quarters, workshop space, or extra equipment storage.
  • Conveying Camper Trailer: The sale includes a mobile camper trailer positioned on the property, providing immediate additional sleeping capacity while working on site.

Access Roads, Driveways, & Right-of-Way Dynamics

Understanding access is critical when purchasing mountain real estate in rural Virginia. Shooting Creek Road runs directly through the lower section of the property, splitting the land into two distinct zones.

Upper Cabin Access Options

  • Current Access: The upper cabin currently utilizes an established, maintained driveway via a verbal agreement with a neighboring landowner.
  • Dedicated Property Roadbed: For buyers wanting complete independence, the subject property contains an existing historic roadbed entirely within its boundary lines that can be cleared and reactivated for direct private access.

Lower Cabin Access Options

  • Shared Gravel Driveway: The lower cabin on the Southeast side of Shooting Creek Road is accessed via a gravel driveway shared with an adjoining landowner. Bidders are advised to review the official bidder packet survey for exact Right-of-Way (ROW) documentation.

Land Topography, Water Features, & Outdoor Recreation

The physical landscape of this 7.12-acre tract offers true Appalachian mountain character.

400 Feet of Shooting Creek Frontage

Water is a major asset on this parcel. The property boasts roughly 400 feet of direct water frontage along Shooting Creek, a clear mountain stream. Combined with smaller interior streams and active natural springs higher up the ridge, the land offers abundant water resources for fishing, cooling off, or wildlife management.

Rugged Mountain Topography

The acreage consists of steep, fully timbered mountain land. While steep topography limits large-scale agriculture or conventional home construction, it delivers maximum privacy, excellent natural drainage, and dense woodland cover for local wildlife.

Prime Hunting & Recreation

Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway region, the surrounding forest is home to whitetail deer, wild turkey, and black bears. The property serves as a ready-to-use hunting camp or weekend sanctuary away from urban centers.

Auction Strategy & Financial Analysis

Because this is an auction listing, the list price represents a starting bid threshold rather than a fixed market price or reserve limit.

Financial / Property MetricDisclosed ValueStrategic Context & Buyer Benefit
Tax Assessed Value$26,400Establishes a low baseline property valuation
Annual Holding Cost$124 / yearUnbelievably low holding tax (~$10.33/month)
HOA Restrictions$0 / MonthZero community rules, land covenants, or monthly fees
Personal Property IncludedFully Furnished / ConveyingIncludes camper, solar setup, Jøtul stove, and outbuildings
Auction DeadlineSeptember 30th @ 4 PMRequires pre-registration and liquid funds ready for closing

Key Auction Factors to Consider

  • Cash or Land Financing: Traditional bank mortgages will not apply to off-grid cabins lacking municipal utilities or public septic systems. Bidders should have liquid cash or specialized land loans lined up.
  • AS-IS Sale: The property and all conveying personal items are sold strictly AS-IS.
  • Review Bidder Packet: Prospective buyers should inspect the official survey map in the bidder packet to review the shared driveway Right-of-Way on the Southeast cabin.

Comprehensive Pros vs. Cons Analysis

Key Advantages

  • Turn-Key Off-Grid Setup: Features solar panels, an inverter, a Jøtul wood stove, and a composting toilet.
  • Gravity Spring Water: Fresh spring water piped 450 feet down from the ridge into the main cabin.
  • Ultra-Low Annual Taxes: Property taxes are just $124 per year.
  • Prime Water Frontage: ~400 feet of direct frontage along Shooting Creek.
  • Bonus Personal Property: Camper trailer, secondary cabin, solar gear, and cabin furnishings convey.
  • Blue Ridge Location: Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway along the Franklin/Floyd County line.

Critical Considerations

  • Steep Topography: Rugged, steep mountain slopes limit conventional building sites.
  • Access Management: Upper cabin currently relies on a verbal driveway agreement, requiring the buyer to either formalize access or clear the existing internal roadbed.
  • Auction Timeline: Bidding closes September 30th at 4:00 PM, requiring fast due diligence.

Final Verdict: Is Shooting Creek Road Worth Bidding On?

This Shooting Creek Road auction property is an ideal opportunity for off-grid preppers, hunters, and weekend mountain retreat buyers.

Getting 7.12 fully wooded acres with two cabin structures, a gravity-fed spring water system, solar power infrastructure, a camper trailer, and 400 feet of creek frontage for an annual tax burden of just $124/year is a rare find in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region.

If you are comfortable navigating steep mountain terrain and reactivating the internal access roadbed, this September 30th auction presents a chance to secure a private off-grid mountain sanctuary.

Listed on Zillow

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