Clarke County offers several distinct areas of interest to consider when planning a trip: a section of the Appalachian Trail, nature destinations, trails for different activities, and places with a clear connection to local history. First consider whether you mainly want to hike, observe nature, or learn about historic sites. These different themes offer starting points for planning your stay and searching for a hotel.
Hiking and Nature
The Appalachian Trail runs for 22 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Clarke County. For hiking enthusiasts, this section is a distinctive point of reference when planning a trip. Elsewhere in the region, there are shorter, paved trails for several activities.
The State Arboretum of Virginia occupies the central 172 acres of Blandy Experimental Farm. If you drive to Blandy from Route 50, follow the paved road to an information kiosk and the main parking lot.
Trails and Scenery at Cool Spring
At the Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield, there are more than five miles of paved trails for walking, running, and cycling.
Cool Spring is also steeped in history: the 195 acres of the Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield played an important role in the Battle of Cool Spring on July 18, 1864. Visitors can also see a great blue heron colony there; bald eagle nests are also present. Wildlife sightings may vary by season.
Historic Sites
The Burwell-Morgan Mill was built in 1785 as a state-of-the-art industrial facility. It is listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
Josephine City School tells the story of Black residents in Clarke County. Formerly enslaved people and free Black residents built the school in 1882 to provide their children with an elementary education. The original school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Josephine School Community Museum became Clarke County’s first museum dedicated to African American community history in 2003.
Long Branch Historic House and Farm is a historic residence dating from 1811 on a 400-acre property in Boyce, Virginia. The grounds are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset for picnicking, hiking, and cycling. Restrictions related to farm operations apply to the property. If you plan to visit Long Branch, take both the listed activities and these restrictions into account.
Plan Your Visit and Stay
Chet Hobert Park has a two-mile fitness trail. Its outdoor swimming pool offers level entry, without a step, in the shallow area.
Barns of Rose Hill has a ramp entrance and an elevator to the concert hall on the second floor. Both are accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or mobility aids.
Watermelon Park provides inner tubes, life jackets, and a shuttle service. Check seasonal details before you arrive.
Use your own trip plans to decide which themes matter for your stay, then search for hotels in Clarke County.
Discover more destinations: Boyce, Dinwiddie County, Patrick County, Stanley, Fredericksburg, Mecklenburg County, Colonial Heights, Goochland.
For the broader travel overview: Virginia.
