You could be dashing through the snow this winter at Caledon State Park
Caledon in winter
What is more fun during the holidays than:
A wagon ride through the woods, singing songs and then coming inside to hot chocolate and hearing tales of "Twas the Night Before Christmas"?
Watching Waterfowl in the marsh and wetlands?
Gazing at the winter sky on a starry night?
Hiking through the quiet forest on leave strewn paths?
Or just maybe looking for Christmas ornaments hidden by a possum? Ok, what was that last one? Find out more below!
Ice on berries
Some families Caledon State Park’s “The Night Before Christmas Hayride” has become a holiday tradition beginning in November.
With a chill in the air and Christmas Carols heard throughout the park it would even put old Scrooge or the Grinch in the holiday mood. Don’t worry if you can’t sing, neither can Sammy, the Chief Ranger that will be your a cappella leader! Sorry Sammy, just kidding. He does a great job in leading everyone in song as you ride through the beautiful forests of Caledon State Park scaring the wildlife away. After your jaunt through the woods, you can settle down in the visitor center to sip hot chocolate while Sammy reads the classic story of the “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. The temperature in the woods is usually a little colder than the forecast, so if the thermometer dips, I suggest dressing for the weather and bringing a blanket to make your trip more enjoyable.
The schedule is as follows, weather permitting:
- Nov 28 & 29 hayrides at 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
- Dec 13 hayrides at4:00 p.m., 6:00p.m., & 8:00 p.m.
- Dec 14 hayrides at 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
- Dec 19 hayrides at 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
- Dec 20 hayrides at 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., & 8:00 p.m.
- Dec 21 hayrides at 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
The evening is $3 per person or $8 for the whole family.
If a jolly hayride through the forest is not your cup of tea, there are other fun things you can do at the park. If you would like a little quiet time and solitude, the trails at the park meander through some of the most beautiful trees on the east coast. There are trails for a casual walk or for those looking for a challenge, CaledonState Park has those too. Bring your bike and enjoy a ride to the river!
Other programs include:
December 20th 10:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. – A Winged Wonders Water Fowl ID Tour – Learn to identify the waterfowl that winter on the Potomac River and in the swamps and marshes of Caledon. The introduction to waterfowl identification will be followed by a visit to the waterfront to observe and identify these magnificent wintering wonders. Ducks, geese, swans and mergansers, loons and grebes sightings are possible. Cost is just $3 per person or $8 per family.
December 27th – Star Parties on the Lawn – ½ hour after sunset – The Rappahannock Astronomy Club presents an evening of deep space viewing. Check out galaxies, stars, planets and other celestial phenomena. Bring your own telescope or look through a club member's. Cost: free
Looking for Possum Presents
January 1, 2015 – First Day Hikes – Possum Present – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – The Christmas Possum has once again hidden ornaments around our trails. Help us find them and earn a holiday reward (think egg hunt). Before the search we will tell the story of the Christmas Possum and go over the rules for the hunt. There will be hot chocolate and a fire to warm up with after the search. Cost: free
As with all the programs at Caledon State Park, reservations are required, andif the weather looks iffy, please check with the park before heading out.
Could that be a possum hiding ornaments?
here for a Google map.