State Parks and National Parks

Sky Meadows State Park

Panoramas of the Piedmont Valley and scenic trails on the Blue Ridge distinguish Sky Meadows State Park, one of Virginia's most pastoral tracts of public land.

This 1,862-acre reserve stretches from the foothills to the summit of the Blue Ridge. Its rolling pastures and stone farmhouse dating back to the 1830s recall 19th-century farm life in northern Virginia.

Slated to be subdivided for housing development in 1966, the property was saved by Paul Mellon, who made a public gift of the lands in 1975.

The park has 13 miles of hiking trails and offers access to the Appalachian Trail. A primitive hike-in campground includes 12 sites, located approximately 1.5 miles from the Appalachian Trail. There are six miles of equestrian trails. A fishing pond contains bass, bluegill and perch.

Sky Meadows includes Mount Bleak, the property's original stone farmhouse. It is authentically furnished as a middle-class farmhouse from the 1860s. Tours are offered on weekends, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation.