High Bridge Trail State Park
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| Photo credit: Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation |
High Bridge Trail State Park is not a typical state park. Visitors will not find overnight facilities or a wide variety of activities, but what they will find is enough to keep them coming back.
Until 2004, the 30-mile stretch of land that is now the park was a well-used railway passage. Two years after the last train chugged through, Norfolk Southern Railroad donated the land to the state of Virginia to be used for recreation.
The result is a unique park that offers level trails that extend for more than 30 miles. The trails are popular for hiking, cycling and horseback riding.
Because the trails are, for the most part, level, the trails are easy for many people to navigate.
The highlight of the park is the High Bridge. Trains once passed over this bridge, which rises more than 125 feet above the Appomattox River.
The bridge has been reconfigured to accommodate those using it for hiking, cycling and equestrian purposes.
High Bridge, which is 2,400 feet long, offers amazing views and is a unique feature among Virginia state parks. The chance to walk or ride along this piece of history is reason enough to pay this park a visit.
While there are no overnight facilities at High Bridge Trail, visitors can find overnight options nearby.
High Bridge Trail Park does host several special events throughout the year including a 5K race, a Memorial Day History Walk and guided astronomy programs.
A few times throughout the year, park guides help provide access to those who are mobility impaired.
Because this park is situated along – and above – the Appomattox River, many visitors find that the fishing here is quite good.
Visitors should bring their fishing pole, bike, horse and/or walking shoes and get ready to enjoy one of the most unique offerings in the Virginia State Park system.
High Bridge Trail State Park Basics
Handicap accessible: Some of the High Bridge Trail State Park’s trails may be navigable by some wheelchairs. Note that not all of the parking lots are wheelchair accessible. Call the number below for more specific accessibility information.
High Bridge Trail State Park runs through several counties and towns including: Cumberland, Nottaway, Prince Edward, Burkeville, Farmville, Pamplin City, Prospect and Rice.
Entrances can be found at several points including in Farmville near mileposts 146, 149 and 150, near Pamplin close to milestone 168 and in Elam near milestone 164.
Pets are allowed in the park. They must be on a leash at all times.
For more information about High Bridge Trail State Park call 434-315-0457.
Western Virginia Camping
The western part of Virginia has a variety of notable parks and trails for camping.
This region of the state has access to both the Blue Ridge Mountain Range and the Appalachian Mountains, making it a verstaile location for a camping trip.
There are several national parks and monuments worth seeing in western Virginia, as well as several state parks that provide campsites.
National Parks
While in the western part of Virginia, campers are in close proximity to several national parks worth seeing.
Shenandoah National Park is the largest and most popular national park in Virginia.
The Shenandoah Valley is a 200 mile region that stretches from Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, to Roanoke, Virginia, with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Alleghenies to the west.
The Shenandoah Valley offers a wide variety of opportunities for camping.
Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park stretches across two states to include land in Loudoun County, Virginia and Jefferson County, West Virginia.
The location of the historic John Brown’s Raid, and a coveted strategic city by both sides during the Civil War, Harper’s Ferry has a rich past, and is surrounded by beautiful landscape.
State Parks
Douthat State Park is located in the Western region of the state, across Bath and Alleghany counties. It is one of Virginia’s six originial state parks.
Duthat State Park is one hour from Roanoke. It offers a variety of overnight facilities, including cabins and campsites.
Cabins are complete with furniture, bed linens, heat, and air conditioning. Cabins have all the appliances needed to enjoy a weekend in the wild, including a refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, cooking utensils, a grill, and picnic tables.
Reservations for the cabins can be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK.
Many of the campsites in Douthat State Park offer a view of Douthat Lake. Campsites are drive-in and have a limit of two vehicles per campsite.
The campsites have grills for cooking, picnic tables, and a campfire. Campers are asked to purchase their firewood at the park upon arrival.
Campers can choose how rustic they would like their experience to be. Of the four campgrounds, Whiteoak and Whispering Pines are the only ones with electricity and hookups.
Campers at Douthat State Park can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking on the parks more than forty miles of trails.
All campers are given a free swimming and boat launch pass.
Commercial Camping
Commercial campsites are available in the western part of Virginia.
Dixie Caverns campground is located approximately 15 miles west of Ronoake. This campground is RV friendly.
The Dixie Caverns campground has access to both the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Campers can enjoy hiking, fishing in the nearby river, or renting a canoe and paddling up the river.
Camping in the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley has over 190,000 acres of back country wilderness to explore, and 520 miles of trails to hike, making it a treasure trove for nature lovers in Virginia.
A great way to explore the area for an extended time is by camping. The Shenandoah Valley offers a wide variety of
options for camping, for both first timers and experienced backpackers alike.
National Parks
The Shenandoah National Park is part of the world renowned Appalachian trail, a 2,175 mile stretch connecting Maine to Georgia. The park is also home to Skyline Drive
An estimated 1500 hikers seeking a challenge set out on the trail each year. The Shenandoah Valley is in the middle of this trail.
This trail is well stocked with places to camp. Most of this camping is backcountry, requiring a pack, a tent, and food that can be carried in and out- a “leave no trace” policy is stamped on all backpacking excursions.
Campfires are prohibited in almost all of Shenandoah’s backcountry. They are allowed only in the park’s front country campgrounds.
Campers looking for a tamer camping experience can choose to camp in one of the park’s several drive in camp sites, most of which are equipped with generators and nearby bathrooms.
During a stay in the Shenandoah National Park, there are several hikes not to miss, such as Old Rag Mountain and the Limberlost trail.
Waterfalls worth seeing include the Whiteoak Canyon Falls, mile 42.6 on Skyline Drive, and Overall Run Falls, from mile 21.1. At 93 feet, the Overall Run Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park.
More Information:
Shenandoah National Park
Address: 3655 US Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835
Website: http://www.nps.gov
Phone: 540-999-3500
State Parks
In addition to the Shenandoah National Park, several state parks offer camping accommodations. The James River State Park offers primitive campgrounds, bunkhouses, and cabins.
Of the primitive campgrounds, two- Branch Pond and Canoe Landing- are open year round. Canoe Landing sites are located right on the river, giving campers the opportunity to canoe in to their sites.
Campers at James River have access to the park’s 15 miles of trails. Many campers also choose to horseback ride or fish along the river front.
Other state parks to consider camping in include Twin Lakes State Park and Pocohauntas State Park, both of which feature drive in campsites, electric and water hookups, grills, and picnic shelters. Centrally located restrooms have showers.
Commerical Camping
Campers who prefer an RV style of camping can choose from plenty of accessible RV campsites in the Shenandoah Valley. The Walnut Hills Campground in Stuart’s Draft, and the North 340 Campground in Waynesburo both present good camping options.