Featured Article (July 2002)

Trails Across Virginia - Hit the trails for summer fun!

Thanks to the efforts of the Virginia Horse Council trail committee and other trail riding associations, who have created a positive liaison with federal, state and local park systems, Virginia enjoys a reputation as a "trail rider friendly" state. Trail riding is enjoyable for many reasons. It can be relaxing, meditative, thoughtful, exciting, thrilling, exhausting, rejuvenating, and challenging. Horseworks Inc., Clifton Horse Society, and the Dragon Run Saddle Club, have generously offered to share some of their favorite places to explore and enjoy.

Horseworks, Inc.

Centreville, 703-222-3474
Jackie Dlugos, Ride Chairman and Director for Horseworks, Inc.
With so many horse associations in the area donating their time and efforts to maintaining the trails and parks (mostly repairing erosion), there is definitely no shortage of lovely places to ride. Jackie states, "We are always grateful for each place we are able to ride our horses."

Manassas National Battlefield Park

Here you will find 50 miles of all types of trails. You can easily ride all day long and never get bored or cross the same place twice. Most of the trails are hard-packed dirt with wooden borders on either side. It is imperative that everyone stays on the trails due to the park's historical status. The trails wind through the woods, marshes, creeks, pine forests, and fields. Half of the trails are single-track and the other half have wider paths. One of the best perks is that there are hardly any bugs whatsoever! There is no standing water, which might contribute to this wonderful benefit. Take Rt. 234 north and proceed through the first traffic light, make a second right and the Henry Hill Visitor Center is located at top of hill. For more information, contact the Battlefield Equestrian Society (who maintains the trails in the park), http://fmnbp.org/bes, or the park itself at www.nps.gov/mana/home.htm.

Bull Run Regional Park

This park has about 9 miles of hard, dirt trails through wooded areas. The trails are very flat and run through several marsh areas, some with boardwalks over them. This park was designed with the naturalist in mind. While there are many open fields, the trails only run through the woodlands. The streams are beautiful and the bluebells and other wildflowers in the spring are fantastic! Take I-66 to Exit 52 (Rt. 29) at Centreville, drive 2 miles south, turn left onto Bull Run Post Office Road and follow the signs to the park entrance. www.nvrpa.org/bullrunpark.html

Clifton Horse Society

The Clifton Horse Society (CHS) was established in 1976 to serve the needs of those interested in horses in Fairfax County and the surrounding communities. The club membership has horse owners and non-horse owners, who want to ensure that horses continue to be a part of the future of this area of Virginia as they have been in the past. Members participate in a variety of disciplines, using many different breeds. Although founded in Clifton, members now include hundreds of people throughout Virginia, in other states, and overseas. Club activities are recreational, social, educational, and service oriented. Mary Flowers and other members of CHS have listed trails they enjoy and that are used frequently by CHS members for organized monthly and individual trail rides. Clifton can be reached at 703-250-6188.

Fountainhead Regional Park

There is no fee to ride in this park. Parking is about two miles in from the entrance and has an asphalt lot. The trails run along the Occoquan River and passes through majestic mature forests, over picturesque creeks, and through large stands of rhododendron. The park is open from mid-March to mid-November. Restrooms and picnic tables are available. Located on Hampton Road, off Route 123 north of Lorton. www.nvrpa.org/fountainhead.html

Bull Run Regional Park

There usually is no fee to ride the horse trails for Fairfax County residents, although sometimes on the weekends the park does collect a small entrance fee. There is a designated horse trailer parking lot about ½ mile from the entrance to the park. The trails are well maintained, but be prepared to encounter hikers with children and dogs. The trails are also well marked with painted blazes. For those adventurous riders, you can cross Bull Run, ride under Rt. 66 and enter Manassas Battlefield Park trails (you still need a pass to ride there). The park is open from mid-March to mid-November.

Shenandoah River State Park

A small fee is charged to enter the park. There is a designated horse trailer parking lot about ½ mile from the entrance on the left. The trails are about eight miles in length and are well marked. The terrain is flat to slightly hilly and well maintained. The trails are multi-use trails. The park is open year around and is located in Warren County, eight miles south of Front Royal and 15 miles north of Luray off of Rt. 340 in Bentonville. Contact them on the web, www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/andygues.htm

Pohick Bay Regional Park

There is a charge of $4.50 per vehicle day rate. The park has approximately 10 miles of well-marked and well-maintained trails. Trails range from flat to rolling hills. Eagles and other wildlife can be spotted on the trail along the Bay. The park is open all year and is located off Old Colchester Road near Lorton. Contact them: www.nvrpa.org/pohickbay.html

Great Falls Park

There is a small fee to enter the park. The park has a designated horse trailer parking lot about ½ mile from the entrance on the right. The trails are about four or five miles in length, but riders can follow the River Trail upstream to Riverbend Park and back. The trails are are multi-use. The park is open all year and is located in McLean, off Georgetown Pike north of the Capital Beltway near the American Legion Bridge. www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa

Lake Anna State Park

There is a small fee to enter the park. A designated horse trailer parking lot is available straight in from the entrance and on the left. The park has 10 miles designated as shared, multiple-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. They pass over moderate terrain through mixed hardwood and pine forest. Trails range from easy to more difficult and are well marked. The park is open all year ‘round. Located in Spotsylvania, the park lies adjacent to Rt. 601 off Rt. 208, 25 miles southwest of Fredericksburg and 60 miles northwest of Richmond. Their web site: www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/lakeanna.htm

James River State Park

There is a small fee to enter this 1,500-acre park. Designated horse trailer parking areas are available. The park has about 20 miles of wide and narrow trails that are well marked and maintained. The terrain has flat ground to rolling hills. The trails wind along the James River, past large ponds, through streams, over bridges, through open fields, and through the forest. They have overnight facilities for individuals and groups. Located in Buckingham County, from Rt. 60 west, turn right onto Rt. 605 at the James River Bridge, then travel seven miles and turn left onto Rt. 606. www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/jamesriv.htm

Graves Mountain Lodge

There is a small fee to park your horse trailer for the day or you can camp or stay at the lodge and keep your horse at the barn. The trails are endless! There are some flat, less rocky trails available, but generally it is mountain riding. You can ride for an hour or all day. It is closed from Thanksgiving to March. Located in Syria, take Rt. 231 north, drive about 8 miles and turn left onto Rt. 670 and drive 4 miles; Graves Mountain Lodge is on the left. www.gravesmountain.com

Fort Valley Stable

Here is a series of wooded trails that offer one or more hours of easy riding. There are some rocky areas, but they are not too difficult. Most of the trails have rolling terrain with no hard climbs, but there are some that are more challenging. The trails are well marked with paint blazed on the trees, and a color-coordinated map is provided. There is a small day-use fee or you can camp with your horse for one night or up to a week. Located at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley near Edinburgh in the George Washington National Forest. www.fortvalleystable.com

Dragon Run Saddle Club

Gloucester, 804-693-2066M
Marlene Reid of Dragon Run Saddle Club in Gloucester suggested this list of her favorite trails in the area.

Newport News City Park - Yorktown Battlefield

This park about has about 25 miles of nice, wide, wooded trails, including a trail surrounding the reservoir. The trails are open to hikers and the reservoir trail is open to bikers and hikers. There is good trailer parking off of Surrender Field in Yorktown. From I-64 take Rt. 105, Ft. Eustis Blvd (Exit 250) towards Yorktown.

Gloucester Park Beaver Dam Trail

This expanding hiking, biking, and horse trail surrounds a reservoir and currently has 15 miles of a single-track path and wider fire road. It is mostly wooded with lightly rolling terrain. Take Rt. 17 north past the Gloucester Court House then right on Rt. 606; the trail entrance is about 4 miles on the right. www.co.gloucester.va.us/pr/parks/welbvd.htm

James River State Park

This popular and fairly new park makes the list again. Marlene enjoys the perfect mixture of wide and single-track trails, of meadows and woods, and last but not least, the new overnight horse facilities. This is a fun and scenic park to ride in! It is highly recommended that you ride along the James River!

Graves Mountain

Again, perhaps the most popular area, Graves Mountain makes the list a 2nd time. These are terrific hilly, rocky trails!