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Hiking at Caledon Natural Area

(540) 663-3861

11617 Caledon Rd.,
King George, VA 22485

Latitude: 38.333999

Longitude: -77.142639

›› Google Map

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.

Hiking Trails At Caledon Natural Area

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

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

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

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

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

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

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

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

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

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

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

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

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

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

Length: 0.91
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Earth, Boardwalks

Other Activities At Caledon Natural Area: Camping, Educational Activities, Gifts and Shopping, Hunting and Picnicking

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Follow Us On:

Hiking at Caledon Natural Area

(540) 663-3861

11617 Caledon Rd.,
King George, VA 22485

Latitude: 38.333999

Longitude: -77.142639

Benchmark Trail

Boyd's Hole Trail

Cedar Ridge Trail

Fern Hollow Trail

Flats Trail

Laurel Glen Trail

Poplar Grove Trail

Related Articles

Hiking Trails at Sky Meadows State Park

Geocaching at James River State Park

Dan River Basin Association to Hike at Fairy Stone State Park

Wild Weekends in March at False Cape State Park

What's Happening

Explore Virginia's Outdoors

Recent Photos

Recent Comments

Follow Us On:

Hiking at Caledon Natural Area

(540) 663-3861

11617 Caledon Rd.,King George, VA 22485

Latitude: 38.333999

Longitude: -77.142639

Benchmark Trail

Boyd's Hole Trail

Cedar Ridge Trail

Fern Hollow Trail

Flats Trail

Laurel Glen Trail

Poplar Grove Trail

Related Articles

Hiking Trails at Sky Meadows State Park

Geocaching at James River State Park

Dan River Basin Association to Hike at Fairy Stone State Park

Wild Weekends in March at False Cape State Park

What's Happening

Explore Virginia's Outdoors

Recent Photos

Recent Comments

11617 Caledon Rd.,
King George, VA 22485