(540) 663-3861
11617 Caledon Rd.,King George, VA 22485
Latitude: 38.333999
Longitude: -77.142639
Caledon Natural Area is situated on 2579 acres of mature forest along the Potomac river. Originally established in 1659, this area was owned and farmed for centuries by the Alexander family. It was donated to the state of Virginia by Mrs. Ann Hopewell Hewitt Smoot in 1974 and now is an important site for conservation. In 1974 Caledon Natural Area was designated a National Natural Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior because it is one of the best examples of an old, undisturbed, oak-tulip poplar-dominated virgin upland forest in the country.This area offers one of the few areas where bald eagles, a recently endangered bird, can nest peacefully. Much of the park is closed to visitors during certain times of the year to further aid the development of young eagles. In order to better preserve the area, camping and picnicking are limited and fishing is prohibited.
Outdoor Recreation Award for: Hiking
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Virginia State Parks Calendar
Benchmark Trail
The Benchmark Trail is a 1.1 mile moderate hiking trail that is accessible from both Laurel Glen and Cedar Ridge trails. Like the other trails it forms a loop through the mature hardwood forest. This trail includes some considerable changes in elevation and passes an old surveying mark (or bench mark) placed here during the 18th century.
Blaze Color: Orange
- Length: 1.1
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Boyd’s Hole Trail
The Boyd’s Hole Trail is a 2.06 mile easy hiking trail that when combined with the Flats Trail, forms a 2.76 mile loop that is accessible from just behind the Visitor Center. This wide gravel path takes users through the critical shoreline area, bringing them to Boyd’s Hole, an area with a few picnic tables and a small pier overlooking the Potomac River. This relatively undisturbed shoreline makes an ideal place for bald eagles to nest. For this reason this trail is closed during the summer months with the exception of guided ranger tours. Always check that these areas are open before hiking this network of trails. In addition to eagles there are Red-tailed hawks, Osprey, several types of owls, and many other examples of birds and wildlife to be found here.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 2.06
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Gravel
Cedar Ridge Trail
The Cedar Ridge Trail is a 1.1 mile moderate hiking trail that passes through the mature hardwood forest. This trail has the greatest variation in elevation of all of the trails along the top of the ridge. The trail is accessible from two locations along the Benchmark Trail. Hiking the Cedar Ridge Trail creates the longest of five loop hikes made possible by linking together the network of trails along the ridge.
Blaze Color: White
- Length: 1.2
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Fern Hollow Trail
The Fern Hollow Trail is a 1.1 mile easy hiking trail that is accessible from the parking area near the historic Smoot House and Visitor Center. This trail loops through the woods and provides access to the Poplar Grove trail in two places. Along the trail you will find interpretive signs that identify examples of native plants.
Blaze Color: Red
- Length: 1.1
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Some Steps
Flats Trail
The Flats Trail creates a loop within the Boyd’s Hole Trail. This trail is just under a mile long and is a flat, wide, gravel trail that passes through mature forest. This trail, like Boyd’s Hole, is closed in the warmer months for eagle nesting.
Blaze Color: Red
- Length: 0.7
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Gravel
Laurel Glen Trail
The Laurel Glen Trail is a .76 mile moderate hiking trail accessible from both the Poplar Grove Trail and from the Benchmark Trail. Like the other trails it passes through a mature hardwood forest. This trail has a few raised boardwalks to aid travel through lower areas. The Laurel Glen Trail rises and falls in elevation more than the Poplar Grove or Fern Hollow trails. From this trail one can clearly see the ridge which defines the area and creates the unique habitats that make this area a National Natural Landmark.
Blaze Color: Yellow
- Length: 0.76
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Poplar Grove Trail
The Poplar Grove Trail is a .91 mile easy hiking trail that is accessible in two places from the Fern Hollow Trail and is also accessible in two places from the Laurel Glen Trail. This hike loops through the woods passing a considerable number of tall poplar trees.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 0.91
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Amphitheater
An outdoor amphitheater is located close to the picnic area and seats about 100 people. This facility has electrical outlets and is used primarily for park programming.
- Season/Hours: Spring, Summer, Fall/N/A
- Fee: N/A
- Location:38° 20.0333 -77° 08.7183
Smoot House Visitor Center
Visitor Center is located in what was once the home of Lewis Eggerton Smoot, which was built in 1910. Inside are displays about the local birds and wildl