Shenandoah River State Park, VA

ABOUT THE PARK:  Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park

TRAIL MAP:  The online map is not up to date as the park is still a work in progress.  Updated maps can be obtained at the park office.  This map is current as of October 2010. (Click on the picture to enlarge.)

DIRECTIONS:

View Larger Map

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Stayed in a brand new (as of summer 2010) pet friendly cabin right next to the trailhead.

HIKE DISTANCES:

• Shenandoah River State Park, VA - 8.90 miles (hike described in this blog below)
• Cacapon Resort State Park, WV -  6.50 miles
• Shenandoah National Park, VA - Whiteoak Canyon/Hawksbill/Cedar Run - 11.40 miles
• Sky Meadows State Park, VA - 8.00 miles
• Shenandoah National Park, VA - Mary's Rock via Appalachian Trail - 7.20 miles

HIKE DIRECTIONS:
Trails are very well-marked, not only with the color of the trail but the name of the trail on each marker as well.  It's a very pretty hike through farmlands and forests and along the river on woods roads with some uphill and downhill sections, mostly on switchbacks.

At the information board next to cabin 6 on the cul-de-sac,  follow the trail downhill.

At the first intersection, turn left on the orange-blazed Cullers Trail.

At .45 miles turn left on the white-blazed Big Oak Loop Trail.

Turn left on the pink-blazed Tulip Poplar Trail at .65 miles.

At the intersection with the white-blazed Big Oak Loop Trail at 1.35 miles, turn right and follow that briefly then turn left on the red-blazed Redtail Ridge Trail.  This trail has nice views with a short side trail to an overlook.

At 2.50 miles turn left on the gray-blazed Shale Barrens Trail briefly then right on the white-blazed Big Oak Loop Trail for almost 1/2 of a mile.

At 2.95 miles, turn left on the teal-blazed Bear Bottom Loop Trail.  You will be returning to this point at the completion of the 3.5 mile loop.  This is a fun trail with roller coaster ups and downs, weaving around from one mountain over to another.

At 6.20 miles arrive back at the beginning of the Bear Bottom Loop and take the white-blazed Big Oak Loop back to the gray-blazed Shale Barrens Trail.  Turn left on the Shale Barrens Trail following the switchbacks down to the orange-blazed Culler's Trail.

Turn left on the orange-blazed Culler's Trail then right on the green-blazed River Trail a short distance ahead.  Cross over the bridge and follow the trail along the river.

The River Trail briefly joins the Culler's Trail at a brown cabin, then veers to the left.  Just before crossing a bridge where the campground can be seen straight ahead, turn right on the mowed path to get back over to the orange-blazed Culler's Trail.  Turn left on the Culler's Trail then immediately turn right on the trail that leads back to the cabins.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[0.00]  Start hike from trailhead at the end of the cul-de-sac next to cabin 6
[0.20]  Turn left on the orange-blazed Culler's Trail
[0.45]  Turn left on the white-blazed Big Oak Loop Trail
[0.65]  Turn left on the pink-blazed Tulip Poplar Trail
[1.35]  Turn right on the white-blazed Big Oak Loop Trail briefly then left on the red-blazed Redtail Ridge Trail
[1.60]  Turn right on short side trail to scenic observation point
[1.75]  Continue right on red-blazed Redtail Ridge Trail after backtracking from scenic view
[2.50]  Turn left on gray-blazed Shale Barrens Trail briefly then right on white-blazed Big Oak Loop Trail
[2.95]  Turn left on teal-blazed Bear Bottom Loop
[4.65]  Continue to the right on teal-blazed Bear Bottom Loop where left goes to horse trailer parking
[6.20]  Turn left on the white-blazed Big Oak Loop Trail
[6.60]  Turn left on the gray-blazed Shale Barrens Trail
[7.10]  Turn left on the orange-blazed Culler's Trail
[7.25]  Turn right on the green-blazed River Trail; cross over bridge
[7.65]  Keep left at the intersection
[8.20]  Keep left at split at brown cabin
[8.65]  Turn right before bridge and walk on mowed path; left on Culler's Trail; immediate right on path back to cabins.
[8.90]  Arrive back at the cabins

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