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Facilities and Activities:
| Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | yes | | | Picnicking | yes |
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 © Didi McConnell
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Nearby Parks:
G Richardson Thompson State Wildlife Management Area
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Sky Meadows State Park
11012 Edmonds Lane
Delaplane, Virginia 20144-1710
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| The land for this park was donated in 1975 by Paul Mellon of Upperville to the Commonwealth of Virginia. It consisted of 1,132 acres. The name Sky Meadows came from former owner Sir Robert Hadow, who named the property "Skye Farm" after an island in Scotland. In 1988 Mellon donated another 486 acres. This area has been developed into an equestrian staging and bridle trail area.
Just an hour?s drive from Washington, D.C., Sky Meadows State Park in Clarke and Fauquier counties, offers a peaceful getaway on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rich in history, the park has rolling pastures and woodlands, scenic vistas and provides a look into a bygone era. The park also has access to the Appalachian Trail and a primitive hike-in campground, as well as picnicking, hiking and riding trails, interpretive programs and a visitor center in the historic Mount Bleak House. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Settlement of the area can be attributed to nearby Ashby's Gap, which gave settlers access to the Shenandoah Valley. Just south of Ashby's Gap, a 5,000-acre tract of land became the property of James Ball. Upon his death in 1754, the land was divided into five parts and given to his children. The land of the present day manor house later became the property of Isaac and Mary Settle, prominent citizens in nearby Paris, Va. Isaac Settle built the Mount Bleak house and gave it to his son Abner as a wedding gift in 1835.
About 1870 Mount Bleak became the property of George M. Slater, a former Confederate soldier. Slater had been one of the first nine men detailed by General J.E.B. Stuart to accompany John Singleton Mosby, a noted Confederate officer and partisan leader. Mosby's Rangers, as they were known, spent some time in this area, and this is when Slater first saw Mount Bleak. He returned after the war and lived there for 55 years.
The property changed owners several more times in the 1900s. In 1975, Paul Mellon of Upperville, Va., donated the 1,132-acre tract to the Commonwealth for the development of a state park. In 1987, 245 acres were acquired to provide an Appalachian Trail corridor, and in 1988, Mellon donated another 486 acres, inceasing the park's acreage to 1,862. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Great Trails on horseback
This park provides great trail riding in a safe and natural environment.
Written by Susan
9-Jul-2008
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| Trails: |
| Hiking and bridle trails. Hiking trails - The park has six hiking trails ranging from less than one mile to almost two miles long. There is a one-mile nature trail for hiking only. In addition, the park offers access to the Appalachian Trail. The park is a three day hike from Harper?s Ferry, W. Va., and two days from Shenandoah National Park. To protect our wildlife, all pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet. Vehicles and bicycles are permitted only on paved park roads. |
| Picnicking: |
| Shelters available on first-come, first-served basis. Only three picnic tables are available under shelter. Overlooking rolling pastures, the area includes drinking water, grills and modern restroom facilities. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Freshwater fishing in one-acre pond. Fishing is permitted from the shoreline only, with a valid license. Fish typically include largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill. No boat rentals or launch. |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Backpacking in Sky Meadows State Park, 3-4 May 2002 - Backpacking in Sky Meadows State Park, 3-4 May 2002. Doug Smith, Steve Kuhl, John Smith. Ramen with jerkey, mmmm... The ravioli turned out pretty well. And I carried it myself... With bears... | | Sky Meadows State Park Clear Sky Clock - Sky Meadows State Park Clear Sky Clock legend page. Show block details when you mouse-over: Click on a 'tran', 'cloud' or 'seeing' block for full forecast map.Copyright ? 2002 A.Danko A park... | | Sky Meadows State Park, 5 January 2002 - Sky Meadows State Park, 5 January 2002. It was chilly! Beginning the nature walk. Looking north toward Paris, Va. Looking east toward Fairfax. | | Sky Meadows State Park - General Info Location Overnight Facilities Size Parking/Admission Park Map Fishing/Boating Swimming Concessions Laundry Restaurant Interpretive Programs Accessibility Hunting Horses Trails ... | | Sky Meadows State Park July 7, 2001 - A hike photo day at Sky Meadows State Park in Paris, VA | | Area Campgrounds | | Roadrunner Campground
13900 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Chester, VA
(804) 796-5160
| Gooney Creek Campgrounds
7122 Stonewall Jackson Hwy
Front Royal, VA
(540) 635-4066
| Front Royal RV Campgrounds
585 Koa Dr
Front Royal, VA
(540) 635-2741
| Battle of Cedar Creek Cmpgrnd
8950 Valley Pike
Middletown, VA
(540) 869-1888
| Candy Hill Campground
165 Ward Ave
Winchester, VA
(540) 662-8010
| Watermelon Park & Campground
RR 2
Berryville, VA
(540) 955-4803
| Poe's Southfork Camp Ground
7124 Browntown Rd
Front Royal, VA
(540) 636-6192
| Greenville Farms Family Camp
14004 Shelter LN
Haymarket, VA
(703) 754-7944
| Highroad Program Ctr
21164 Steptoe Hill Rd
Middleburg, VA
(540) 687-6262
| Skyline Resort Inc
751 Mountain Rd
Front Royal, VA
(540) 635-4169
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Castaway Sporting Goods
11600 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Chester, VA
(804) 706-9100
| Fishing Connection
2420 Buena Vista Blvd
Chester, VA
(804) 748-3197
| Beaver's Marine & Tackle
1601 Berryville Pike
Winchester, VA
(540) 665-0611
| Feathered Hook Outfitters
110 Margate Ct
Winchester, VA
(540) 678-8999
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | George Washington Hotel The
103 W Piccadilly St
Winchester, VA
(540) 678-4700
| Skyline Resort Inc
751 Mountain Heights Rd
Front Royal, VA
(540) 636-6061
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| Directions: |
| The park is less than two miles south of Paris, Va., via U.S. Route 50 to Route 17 South; or seven miles north of I-66, Exit 23 on Route 17 North. The park entrance is on State Route 710. |
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