Dryden is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Virginia, United States.

[5] The community was named for Captain Dryden, a railroad official.

Dryden's southern border is the Powell River, and parts of the Jefferson National Forest lie to the north.

[1] As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,253 people, 453 households, and 329 families residing in the CDP.

24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.