Visit Nelson County: Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation

Bicycling - Road tours

Delfosse Trail
Enjoy 5.5 miles of beautiful, rolling trail designed for hiking, mountain biking, and organized ATV rides (only). Located at the Delfosse Winery in Faber (Follow signs for Delfosse Winery from Rte. 29). Call 263-7130 for more information.

Rockfish Valley Loop Trails
Experience the Rockfish River and Reid's Creek on approximately 4 miles of trails on a farm surrounding the confluence. Part of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, these paths offer recreation and interaction with nature and history. Currently open for hiking only, these are mowed grass and dirt trails, and have a nearly flat grade throughout, although surrounded by spectacular mountain views. Parking is located at Spruce Creek Park at old Wintergreen, and on the southwest side of the Route 151 bridge over the Rockfish River. Open sunrise to sunset.

Blue Ridge Railway Trail
The first 2 miles of the 7 mile trail has been completed between Piney River and Roses Mill. The trail is opened for hiking, biking and horseback riding. It's a beautiful, easy trail along the Piney River. There are parking lots at both ends of the trail. Parking for horse trailers is available at Piney River. The Trail is open sunrise to sunset. At this time there are no restroom facilities. The future trail will travel another 5 miles along the railroad bed to Tye River.

Fortunes Cove Preserve
Jane Heyward, a self-described outdoor enthusiast and "explorer who can't stay out of the woods" donated 755 acres to the Nature Conservancy. Prior to the April 30, 2002 opening of the preserve, volunteers spent a year preparing a 5.3 mile hiking trail within the mountainous property. Other features are seven viewpoints and a stream.
The preserve is nestled within an area of comparatively unfragmented forest habitat covering more than 29,000 acres, providing excellent habitat for bear, turkey and migratory songbirds. Most of this forest is young, but a small area of uncut chestnut oak grows near the ridge line of Woods Mountain. The west face of the preserve's upper slope is broken by a series of rocky glades. These openings support expanses dominated by lichens and rock mosses. The glades also feature grassy areas dominated by the prairie grass little bluestem, and woodlands known for their abundance of a shrub called fringetree or grandfather's beard. The combination of plant species found on the rocky glades is thought to be extremely rare, with less than 20 examples known to occur anywhere in the world.
A parking area and informational kiosk at the base of the cove will help orient visitors. Directions: from Route 29, turn onto Route 718 in Lovingston and travel approximately 1.5 miles; turn right onto Route 651 and travel approximately 1.5 miles; take theleft fork in the road to enter the preserve.
More information provided by the Nature Conservancy

Mountain Biking
Wintergreen Resort has rapidly become a top destination for both international and regional travelers looking for a fun and educational mountain bike ride. Wintergreen offers a 12.5 mile 3000 foot downhill, a mountain bike park and shuttle service back to the top. Combine this with over 80 miles of trails in the adjacent George Washington National Forest and we have over 116 miles of trails. Two of these have been voted the BEST in the Mid Atlantic. 434-325-2200

Horseback Riding at Rodes Farm Stables
Imagine horseback riding through the spectacular Rockfish Valley and witnessing the beauty of the sun setting behind the Blue Ridge Mountains. Experienced rider guides you through scenic Stoney Creek trails. Trail rides are offered daily, mid-March through November, except Mondays. Pony rides for kids, sunset trail rides, riding lessons, escorted rides, hacks for the advanced rider and more. Call 434-325-8260.

Hiking - Appalachian Trail
Twenty-five miles of the Appalachian Trail lie in Nelson County with moderately challenging to rugged terrain. It is accessible from Route 56 in Tyro and at trail crossings along the Blue Ridge Parkway: Reeds Gap/Route 664, and Rockfish Gap/Afton Mountain. You can also access the AT from the Crabtree Falls trail by continuing on the trail another half mile beyond the top of the waterfall. 434-263-7015

Hiking - Crabtree Falls Trail
Crabtree Falls trail now has a 50-65 vehicle parking lot and a universally accessible trail from the parking lot to the first overlook at the falls. In addition, a universally accessible toilet is available. Off Route 56. Dawn to dusk. 434-263-7015

Hiking - Nelson County Wilderness Area
The Wilderness designation provides permanent protection for the two areas in their natural state. The Priest (nearly 6,000 acres) rises from an elevation of about 1,000 feet at the Tye river to 4,063 feet. It is one of Virginia's most prominent peaks and provides the backdrop for Crabtree Falls. Three Ridges (4,608 acres) is one of the wildest and most rugged areas in the Virginia Blue Ridge. Several rock outcrops provide stunning views of the surrounding areas. The Appalachian Trail runs through both areas for nearly 13 miles and the Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the western boundary of Three Ridges. The wilderness designation allows continued hunting, fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping and other traditional uses. The designation does not allow roads, motorized vehicles, structures, etc.

Hiking - Wintergreen Nature Foundation
The Wintergreen Nature Foundation has marked and maintains 25 miles of scenic trails in the mountains. Information and trail maps are available through the nature foundation's office at the Trillium House at Wintergreen. 434-325-8169

Lake Canoeing and Paddle Boat Rentals - Wintergreen Resort
Lake Monocan at Wintergreen Resort offers lake canoeing and paddle boat rentals. May 1 to Memorial Day, open weekends only. Memorial Day to Labor Day, open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Labor Day to October, open weekends only. Canoe, paddle boat and funyaks rentals by the hour. Call Lake Monocan at 434-325-8181 or go to visit Wintergreen Resort on the web

Boat launch, Wingina
James River, Route 56. Picnic sites, fishing, boat ramp. Across the river and 4-miles downstream of new James River State Park.

Boat launch, Lake Nelson
On Route 812 south of Lovingston off Route 655. Picnic sites, fishing. Good for canoes, kayaks, row boats and electric powered boats.

Boat launch, Tye River Park
On the Tye River, Route 56, south-east of Tyro. Picnic sites, fishing. Suitable for canoes and kayaks (white water) Check water level before launching.

Boat launch, James River Wildlife Mgmt Area
On the James River, 2 miles downstream from Wingina. Watchable wildlife, picnic sites, hiking and bicycling trails. On Route 626 near Mid-way Mills.

Canoe/Kayak Run, Rockfish River
This run is scenic with just enough twists and turns to make it interesting. No rapids, but some good paddling skills required. It should take about two to two-and-a-half hours. Check water levels first. Put-in by the bridge on Route 6 and take-out at the Nelson County Wayside on Hwy 29.

Canoe/Kayak, Tube Livery - James River Runners
Canoeing, inner tubing, rafting, kayaking, camping, and fishing on the James River . Trip lengths vary from half-day to overnight camping trips. Base camp at historic Hatton Ferry 5 miles outside of Scottsville. All trips include: river equipment (canoe, kayak, raft or inner tube), paddles, life vests, parking, transportation, tie down rope, trip briefing, and maps. 2 persons per canoe on all trips, 4 or 5 persons per raft on all trips, 1 person per Kayak, 1 person per inner tube. 434-286-2338 or James River Runners on the web.

Canoe/Kayak, Tube Livery - James River Reeling & Rafters
James River Reeling and Rafting specializes in canoeing, half day trip to an overnight trip. Also tubing 2-4 hours, kayaking half day to all day. Some of the best small mouth bass fishing on the East Coast. Located in historic downtown Scottsville on the beautiful Horseshoe Bend of the James River. 434-286-4FUN.

Golf, Tennis, Skiing, Swimming -
Wintergreen Resort has 45 holes of nationally-ranked golf, 20 ski slopes and trails, 2 tubing parks, 23 tennis courts a 20-acre lake, boat rentals and 6 swimming pools. Resort recreation facilities are open to the public at a daily rate. 434-325-2200 or visit Wintergreen Resort.

Outdoor Wilderness Leadership School
Mountain dirt biking, kayaking, rappelling, backpacking, corporate development courses. Located at Wintergreen Resort. 434-325-8166 or visit "Outdoor Wilderness Leadership School" on the web.

Out of Bounds Adventure Center Located at Wintergreen Resort
Adrenaline-pumping activities, including aggressive in-line skating, mountain biking (self-guided), paintball, a 25-foot climbing tower, basketball, volleyball, and a skateboard park with half-pipes and quarter-pipes. The Out of Bounds rental shop provides trail maps as well as the finest names in sporting and safety gear. May - October (weather permitting) Wintertime activities include snow boarding and tubing. 434-325-8505