(540) 592-3556
11012 Edmonds LaneDelaplane, VA 20144
Latitude: 38.988703
Longitude: -77.968913
The park offers nearly 20 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Most of the hiking trails are located on the western side of route 17 and the bridle trails are located on the eastern side along with one hiking trail. The Appalachian Trail, a 2000 mile trail that runs from Georgia to Maine, passes through the park.
Ambassador Whitehouse Trail
High meadow environments and gorgeous vistas welcome hikers traversing this 1.1 miles through National Park Service lands managed in cooperation with Sky Meadows State Park. An difficult walk, Ambassador Whitehouse Trail forks off of North Ridge Trail just past the intersection with Piedmont Overlook Trail, and makes a long switchback eventually intersecting with the Appalachian Trail.
Blaze Color: Lt. Blue
- Length: 1.1
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Grass, Earth
Appalachian Trail, New Section
The Appalachian Trail is a National Scenic Trail that stretches more than 2,150 miles form Mount Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia. Approximately one quarter of the trail lies in Virginia with sections passing through Grayson Highlands State Park and Sky Meadows State Park. Sky Meadows’ 3 -mile section, from the Thompson Wildlife Management Area on the south to Route 50 on the north, is fairly easy hiking. In Sky Meadows, the Appalachian Trail is accessed from North Ridge and Ambassador Whitehouse Trails. For more information on hiking the trail, contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at appalachiantrail.org or look for a trail club in your area.
Blaze Color: White
- Length: 2.43
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Natural
Gap Run Trail
Gap Run Trail is a 1.2 mile, moderate difficulty hiking trail that is accessed from North Ridge Trail and from Boston Mill Road Trail. It takes hikers through open areas and through the woods along Gap Run Stream. As it climbs, it becomes rockier and narrower before intersecting with North Ridge Trail.
Blaze Color: Orange
- Length: 1.18
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Grass, Earth
North Ridge Trail
North Ridge Trail is a 1.5 mile, difficult hiking trail that is accessible from the Appalachian, South Ridge, Gap Run, Ambassador Whitehouse, Piedmont Overlook and Boston Mill Road Trails. The section of the trail from the Appalachian Trail to Gap Run Trail is particularly steep and rocky, earning this trail its rating. Much of the remainder of the trail passes through moderate terrain surrounded by fields of seasonal wildflowers. Bird and butterfly watchers will enjoy this stretch. This trail offers a challenging hike as well as great views of the area.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 1.54
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Grass
Old Trail
From 1983 – 2004, the Appalachian Trail had to be relocated onto Sky Meadows State Park lands. In 2004, in cooperation with the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail was rerouted back to its original corridor, leaving this section as part of Sky Meadows’ trail system. It is accessed from the Appalachian Trail near its junction with North Ridge Trail and north of Ambassador Whitehouse Trail. Its 1.3 moderate miles can be combined with the Appalachian Trail to make a very nice upper-ridge hiking loop.
Blaze Color: White
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- Length: 1.8
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Natural
Piedmont Overlook Trail
Piedmont Overlook Trail is a .7 mile, moderate hiking trail that can be accessed from North Ridge Trail and Boston Mill Road Trail. From the Boston Mill road Trail, it takes hikers up a moderate but smooth incline through an open meadow offering many good views of the area. The trail then enters the woods and continues to North Ridge Trail.
Blaze Color: Red
- Length: 0.61
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Grass, Earth
Shearman’s Mill Trail
The Shearman’s Mill Trail is a 1.0 mile, easy loop trail that starts near the barn on the parklands east of Rt. 17. This trail passes through a variety of habitats, including forest, field and wetland, crossing and following Gap Run Stream. This area of the park often rewards guest with glimpses of diverse birds and other wildlife inhabiting the region.
Blaze Color: Red
- Length: 1
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Grass, Earth
Snowden Trail
Snowden Trail is a 1.1 mile, easy, self guided interpretive trail that starts at the end of Boston Mill Road, 1/2 mile from the parking lot. It takes guests through “Nature’s Neighborhood”using signs to highlight the relationships between wildlife and their habitats. This trail also passes through a sensitive, seasonal wild flower area.
Blaze Color: Silver
- Length: 1.14
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
South Ridge Trail
outh Ridge Trail is a 1.6 mile, moderate difficulty hiking trail that forks off of the Gap Run Trail, not far from its intersection with Boston Mill Road Trail. This trail passes through wooded and open areas and it varies from wide and fairly smooth to narrow and rocky in places. Along the trail hikers will pass the ruins of the Snowden House as well as a few benches that offer great views of the meadows.
Blaze Color: Yellow