At an elevation of just over 3000 feet, Burkes Garden is the highest valley in Virginia. Except for a narrow water gap to the northwest, the valley is completely surrounded by ridges from 500 to 1500 feet high. From the air or on a small scale topographic map, the valley looks like a crater carved out by an asteroid impact or volcanic explosion. It's actually a product of erosion that is sometimes called "God's Thumbprint".

The only paved road into Burkes Garden is State Route 623, which leaves State Highway 61 heading south from Gratton. Almost immediately it begins a winding climb of Rich Mountain. From the ridge crest there is a shorter descent into Little Creek Valley, then it quickly passes through "The Gap" into Burkes Garden.

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