(540) 663-3861
11617 Caledon Rd.,King George, VA 22485
Latitude: 38.333999
Longitude: -77.142639
The park offers approximately 12 miles of hiking trails, 7 of which are open year round. The Boyds Hole Trail and Flats trail go through the wildlife management area and critical shoreline area and are closed during the summer months to allow the young bald eagles to learn to hunt without disturbance. During these months these trails are only accessible during special guided park eagle tours that typically occur on weekends.
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