Sky Meadows State Park

Welcome to Sky Meadows State Park located just one hour away from the US Capitol on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Park History: In 1731 Lord Fairfax sold a nearly 8,000 acre section of land to James Ball. After Ball passed away in 1754 his daughter and grandsons divided up the land amongst themselves. One of the grandsons sold his section to a John Edmonds in 1780. When Edmonds died in 1788 the land was divided among his 5 children. Isaac Settle bought the land from two of Edmond's children in 1812 and built a large brick house known as "Belle Grove." In 1842 the Belle Grove Farm was sold to his son in law Lewis Edmonds who later sold it to Abner Settle who constructed the Mount Bleak House. In 1868 the land was purchased by Civil War veteran George Slater who lived there with his son for over half a century. In the 20th century the land went through several different owners before 1,132 acres were finally donated to the State of Virginia in 1975 for a State Park. An additional 248 acres were acquired in 1987 and another 248 in 1991.

Today the park boasts over 12 miles of hiking trails as well as 13 campsites (all primitive which means no hookups). Come on out and have an adventure.

G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area is included in this park's acreage.

To contact the park office please call 540-592-3556.

This was RecPlanet place of the day on March 24, 2016.