Nokesville Horse Society

NHS Trail Directory

Multi-Use Legend H=Hiking/Walking E=Equestrian B=Biking Hnt=Hunting	Please Note: Although the information below may have been accurate at the time it was added to our site, trail rules, regulations and uses change. Please contact the trail owner/manager to verify all trail information. We can not guaranty the accuracy of the information. The Trails listed below are from a compilation from various internet sources, as well as personal experiences of our members. If you know any additional details or information or there are any discrepancies, please contact the Webmaster at dbherb1@gmail.com.
Trail Name	Location	County	Comments Trail Maps	Description - Information	Type of Construction and Length or Area
Manassas Battlefield H E	Horse Trailer parking at intersection of Rt. 29 and Featherbed	US Gov. National Park	Historical Monuments, Visitors Center Click here for trail map	(see write-up below) Park Pass required which can be purchased at Visitors Center, some trails pedestrian only. www.nps.gov/mana/home.htm.	natural surface and some wood chip covered trails 29 Miles
Conway Robinson State Forest H E B Hnt	Route 29, Lee Hwy, north of the Gainesville 1-66 interchange Gainesville, Virginia.	Virginia State Forest, Prince William	Picnic Area, Click here for trail map Please note: The Forest may have select days for limited deer hunting. Please visit the VA Dept. of Forestry website for more information about hunt days.	See write-up at bottom of page As of July 1 ,2009, everyone 16 years and older is required to have a State Forest Use Permit to hunt, ride bikes, or ride horses in the State Forest. The Use Permit, which costs $15 annually, is good for one year following its purchase. The State Forest Use Permit is available online at http://secure01.virginiainteractive.org/horf/ or at authorized retailers who also sell the Virginia state hunting license.) Note: manure must be picked up from the parking and picnic areas.	natural surface approximately 7 miles of trails 400 acres
Ben Lomond Trail H E B	Ben Lomond Park 7500 Ben Lomond Park Drive Manassas, VA 20109	Prince William	Location of Splash Down Water Park. Trail Map	Two mile network of natural surface trail along the Bull Run. No Trailer Parking at this park. Prince William County Parks trails website	natural surface approximately 2 miles of trails
Broad Run Linear Trail H E B	Parallels Broad Run from Lake Manassas area to Rt. 28	Prince William		This linear trail will open in phases. The first 5 mile segment opened in 2009. The current center of the trail is along Broad Run where it intersects Linton Hall Road. When completed, the system will cover 10 miles, from Lake Manassas to Route 28. There is no trailside public parking lot.	natural surface approximately 10 miles of trail
Heritage Park H E B	Bristow Rd, just off Rt. 28	Prince William		Bristoe Station Battlefield info	natural surface approximately 5 miles
James Long Park H E B	Rt. 15, North of Haymarket, VA	Prince William	Nice sand ring near trail for working/training purposes in conjunction with using the trails. Prince William County Website & Trail Maps	Well established and used by the community for many years. Plenty of trailer parking. Some trails lead to private trails off Park property.	natural surface approximately 6 miles
Nokesville Park Equestrian Trail E	Nokesville Park Aden Rd Nokesville, Virginia, 20181	Prince William	Nice sand ring near trail for working/training purposes in conjunction with using the trails. Prince William County Website & Trail Maps	Nice sand ring near trail for working/training purposes in conjunction with using the trail.	natural surface approx. 3 miles
Silver Lake Regional Park Equestrian Trail E	Silver Lake Reg. Park, 16198 Silver Lake Rd Haymarket VA 20169	Prince William	Prince William County Website Trail Map	Silver Lake Regional Park features a 20 acre lake fed by the Little Bull Run as well as forest, meadows and access to four miles of equestrian friendly trails. Some trails suitable for driving.	natural surface approx 4 miles
Valley View Park Equestrian Trail E	Valley View Park, 11930 Valley View Drive Dr, Nokesville, Virginia, 20181	Prince William	Prince William County Website & Trail Maps	The trail is only about 2 miles long. Even though the trail is short, use this trail and it's "natural" challenges for training and short rides.	natural surface approx 2 miles
Blandy Farm Bridle Trail E	Virginia Arboretum/ Blandy Experimental Farm 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce VA 22620	Clarke	Trail Map & Brochure Blandy Farm website	The Bridle Trail is open to the public dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. A signed liability waiver (available at the paddock) is required for each rider. Riders under age 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Waivers will be kept on file. Current (within one year) negative Coggins test required for horses. All riders must wear hard hats. Park and load/unload horses in paddock. Do not empty trailer manure in paddock.	Approximately 5.5 miles
Rock Creek Park H E B	Rock Creek Park Horse Stables. 5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC 20015	District of Columbia	Park website: www.nps.gov/rocr Park Map	You can go horseback riding at the Horse Stables which is located next to the Nature Center. The Horse Stable does not rent horses, they give guided tours that last about an hour and cost $30. They have pony rides for young children at least 30" tall for $20.00. For more information call the Horse stables at 202-362-0118. Or you may bring your own horse. You may park your trailer at the Nature Center, but please stick to the designated bridle trails.	The main section of Rock Creek Park is 1754 acres.
Bull Run Occoquan Trail H E	Centreville, Virginia	Fairfax	The trail follows Bull Run Creek and the Occoquan River. The trail also passes through Hemlock Overlook and Bull Run Marina Regional Parks. The trail is intended for hiking or horseback riding, biking is not allowed. Click here for trail map	Connects to Bull Run Regional Park Trail and Fountainhead Regional Park www.nvrpa.org/bullrunpark.html	natural surface 17.5 miles
Bull Run Regional Park Trail H E	Centreville, Virginia	Fairfax	Picnic Area, Camping, Playground, Swimming Pool, Miniature Golf, Soccer Fields, Public Shooting Center Click here for trail map	(see write-up below) Connects to Bull Run Occoquan Trail www.nvrpa.org/park/bull_run	1.5 miles
Burke Lake Park H E	Fairfax Station, Virginia	Fairfax		http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm
Clarks Crossing Park H E B	9850 Clarks Crossing Rd. Vienna, Virginia	Fairfax		Trails wind through the park to join the W.&O.D. Trail. http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm	natural surface 3.2 miles/143 acres
Colvin Run Stream Valley Trail H E B	Great Falls, Virginia	Fairfax	Click here for trail map	Connects to Lake Fairfax Park, Cross County Trail & Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm	natural surface 3 miles
Cross County Trail H E B	Great Falls, Virginia to Pohick Stream Valley in Virginia	Fairfax	Open to Horses on many sections of the trail, but not the entire length of the trail Click here for trail maps	A unique achievement for one county -- a trail over 40 miles long connecting the entire county from one end to the other -- the Cross County Trail (CCT of Fairfax County, Virginia.) The Fairfax County Park Authority worked cooperatively to complete this project. The CCT is so much more than a trail. This is common ground that provides a pathway of connectivity for all residents. " Two links for more information: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/cct/ http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/index.html	natural surface, stone dust, paved 40-plus miles
Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail H E B	Great Falls, Virginia	Fairfax	Click here for trail map	Connects to Great Falls Park and Colvin Run Stream Valley Trail and Cross County Trail http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm	natural surface 3.5 miles
Fountainhead Regional Park H E B	Fairfax Station, Virginia	Fairfax	Fishing, Boat ramp, Canoeing, boat rentals Mountain Bike Trail (no horses),Picnic shelter, tables and grills. Miniature golf, Nature trails, Marina Building: sandwiches, restrooms, Tackle shop. Click here for trail map	(see write-up below) Trailhead to Bull Run Occoquan Equestrian Trail www.nvrpa.org/park/fountainhead	natural surface 10 miles
Fox Mill District Park E	2801 Fox Mill Rd. Herndon, Virginia	Fairfax		http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm	natural surface 2 miles/ 208 acres
Frying Pan Park E	Herndon, Virginia	Fairfax	Working Farm Demos, Scouting & 4-H, Country Store, Hayrides	Indoor & outdoor areas, cross country course http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm	natural surface 3 miles/ 23 acres
Great Falls Park H E B	Great Falls, Virginia	Fairfax	Visitor Center, Rock Climbing, Picnic Area Click here for trail map	Connects to Riverbend Park and Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa	natural surface & gravel fire roads 5 miles/ 800 acres
Lake Fairfax Park H E B	Reston, Virginia	Fairfax	Picnic Area, Camping, Water Mine Family Swimming Area, Soccer and Baseball Fields Click here for trail map	Connects to Colvin Run Stream Valley Trail & WO&D Trail http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm	natural surface 4 miles/ 476 acres
Laurel Hill H E B	Lorton, VA	Fairfax	Laurel Hill is a large multi-use area containing several parks. Future equestrian center site has approximately 6 miles of trail installed. The "Cross County Trail" also passes through Laurel Hill. Click here for Laurel Hill trail map	For the better part of a century, one of the most beautiful parcels of land in Fairfax County was restricted and, to an extent, hidden from public view as the District or Columbia Lorton Prison. Now, the redevelopment of these 2,300 acres is underway. For more information about the history of Lorton Prison and Laurel Hill: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/laurelhill/	Approx. 6 miles of natural surface trails @ site of future equestrian center
Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area H E B	Lorton, VA	Fairfax	Trail Map	On October 18, 2001 the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States acquired 800 acres of the Meadowood SRMAs to manage it to provide open space for recreation, environmental education, and wild horse and burro interpretation. For more information: http://www.blm.gov/es/st/en/fo/lpfo_html.html	Approximately 5 miles of natural surface trails
Potomac Heritage Trail H E	Great Falls, Virginia	Fairfax	Trail from Seneca Rd to Riverbend Park along the river Click here for map	Connects to Riverbend Park	natural surface about 6 miles
Pohick Bay Regional Park H E	Lorton, Virginia	Fairfax	Bridle Path, Swimming Pool, Camping, Picnic tables, Nature Trails, Boating, Miniature Golf, Fishing Click Here for Trail Map	www.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay See additional Park comments at bottom of page below	natural surface 4 miles
Riverbend Park H E B	Great Falls, Virginia	Fairfax	Nature Center, Boat Ramp, Picnic Area Click here for trail maps 1,. Upland Trail 2. RB to Great Falls	Connects to Potomac Heritage Trail and Great Falls Park www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm	natural surface & gravel fire road 5 miles/ 400 acres
W&OD Trail H E B	Vienna, Virginia to Purcellville, Virginia	Fairfax & Loudoun	Hiking/Biking/Equestrian Trail: 45-mile paved trail with adjacent crushed gravel trail; for horseback riders, pedestrians and cyclists	Connects to Lake Fairfax Trail, Cross County Trail www.nvrpa.org/wod.html	natural surface & stone dust horse trail adjacent to paved pedestrian and bicycle trail 30 miles
C.F. Phelps Wildlife Management Reserve H E B Hnt	Summerduck, VA	Fauquier	Trail Map	High on the list of places to go for many outdoors men and women in Northern Virginia is the intensively managed Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area Offering the opportunity to hunt, fish, canoe, hike or to pursue other outdoor activities, the Phelps is a prize example of multiple-recreation land use. For More Information: Click Here Horseback riding is permitted on the trails but not recommended during hunting seasons.	Many miles of natural surface trails, also suitable for driving
Sky Meadows Bridle Trail H E	Sky Meadows State Park Rt. 17 Delaplane, VA	Fauquier	Horseback riding only available in the "Bridle Trails" area, eastern side of Rt. 17 Click here for trail map	Click here for driving directions map	natural surface
Thompson Wildlife Management Reserve H E B Hnt	Leeds Manor Rd, Markham, VA	Fauquier Warren	Link to VA Dept of Game & Fisheries website Link to location map/driving directions Link to Thompson Reserve Map (pdf) Adobe Acrobat required to open pdf map	The G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area is among the most popular of Game Department hunting lands. The opportunity to hunt, fish, view spectacular displays of wildflowers, or hike a stretch of the famous Appalachian Trail contribute to the area’s broad appeal. Horseback riding is permitted on the trails but not recommended during hunting seasons.	4000 acres many miles of natural surface trails.
Graves Mountain H E	Syria, VA	Madison	Click here for trail map		natural surface

Fountainhead Regional Park is nestled in the southern part of Fairfax County along the banks of the Occoquan River and is open from mid-March through November. It is a heavily wooded area abundant in wildlife. It is here that the Clifton Horse Society received permission from the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to develop and maintain approximately ten miles of trails meandering through the quiet forests and along peaceful streams in the section of park east of the main entrance. The trails are all color-coded and marked with colored horseshoes painted on the trees. A large map of the trails is posted in a kiosk at the equestrian trail entrance off the main parking lot. Maps can be obtained by calling Wilma Kime at 703-222-8253 or e-mail: wkime@cox.rr.com or chs9@aol.com. Local riders are available who are willing to serve as guides. More information can be found at www.nvrpa.org/park/fountainhead

At the equestrian trail entrance off the main parking lot, the trail splits. The left fork follows The Blue Trail (blazed with blue slashes on the trees) 17.5 miles northwest to Bull Run Park. Horses are allowed on this trail but there are several places where horses must detour off the main trail because it is impassable for horses. Currently, these detours are not marked. A local rider is useful to serve as a guide at these points.

The right fork at the equestrian entrance is marked with blue horseshoes. The trail continues back along the side of the park road toward the entrance and then crosses to the east and eventually connects with the orange, white, and yellow horseshoe trails. These are the trails developed by the Clifton Horse Society. They run through heavily-wooded, hilly areas with spectacular views of the Occoquan River and Sandy Run. The trails range in difficulty from fairly easy at the beginning to moderately difficult because of the hills. Especially during rainy periods, there are muddy crossings. The trails to the east are not rocky, and shoes on horses are not required.

Directions:
From I-66: Take Exit 55 south (Route 7100/Fairfax County Parkway) toward Springfield. Go 5 miles south on the parkway and take the Route 123/Ox Road exit. Turn left at the light. Take Route 123 south about 3 miles and turn right on Route 643/Henderson Road. Go 2 miles west on Henderson Road and turn left on Route 647/Hampton Road. Go 1 mile south on Hampton Road and turn right into the entrance to Fountainhead Regional Park. Park in the first parking lot after the Maintenance Shed.

From the south via I-95: Take Exit 160 north (Route 123/Gordon Blvd.) Go 4 miles north on Route 123 (which becomes Ox Road after crossing the Occoquan River) and turn left on Route 647/Hampton Road. Go 3 miles west on Hampton Road and turn left into the entrance to Fountainhead Regional Park. Park in the first parking lot after the Maintenance Shed.

From Manassas: Take the Prince William Parkway 2 miles south of the city limits and turn left on Yates Ford Road. Cross the Bull Run and continue on Yates Ford Road until it runs into Henderson Road. Bear left on Henderson Road. Follow it until it ends at Clifton Road. Turn right. Go 2 miles to the 4-way stop with Route 610/Wolf Run Shoals Road. Turn right. Go 1 mile south to the 3-way stop with Route 643/Henderson Road. Turn left. Go 1/2 mile east and turn right on Route 647/Hampton Road. Go 1 mile south and turn right into the entrance to Fountainhead Regional Park.

Manassas National Battlefield Park
Here you will find 50 miles of all types of trails. You can easily ride all day long and never get bored or cross the same place twice. Most of the trails are hard-packed dirt with wooden borders on either side. It is imperative that everyone stays on the trails due to the park's historical status. The trails wind through the woods, marshes, creeks, pine forests, and fields. Half of the trails are single-track and the other half have wider paths. One of the best perks is that there are hardly any bugs whatsoever! There is no standing water, which might contribute to this wonderful benefit. Take Rt. 234 north and proceed through the first traffic light, make a second right and the Henry Hill Visitor Center is located at top of hill. For more information, contact the Battlefield Equestrian Society (who maintains the trails in the park), www.BattlefieldEquestrianSociety.org or the park itself at www.nps.gov/mana/home.htm.

Bull Run Regional Park
This park has about 9 miles of hard, dirt trails through wooded areas. The trails are very flat, with some steep bank water crossings. There are several marsh areas, some with boardwalks over them. Not recommended during heavy rains due to high stream levels. This park was designed with the naturalist in mind. While there are many open fields, the trails only run through the woodlands. The streams are beautiful and the bluebells and other wildflowers in the spring are fantastic! Take I-66 to Exit 52 (Rt. 29) at Centreville, drive 2 miles south, turn left onto Bull Run Post Office Road and follow the signs to the park entrance. www.nvrpa.org/park/bull_run
There usually is no fee to ride the horse trails for Fairfax County residents, although sometimes on the weekends the park does collect a small entrance fee. There is a designated horse trailer parking lot about � mile from the entrance to the park. The trails are well maintained, but be prepared to encounter hikers with children and dogs. The trails are also well marked with painted blazes. For those adventurous riders, you can cross Bull Run, ride under Rt. 66 and enter Manassas Battlefield Park trails (you still need a pass to ride there). The park is open from mid-March to mid-November.

Pohick Bay Regional Park
There is a charge of $4.50 per vehicle day rate. The park has approximately 10 miles of well-marked and well-maintained trails. Trails range from flat to rolling hills. Eagles and other wildlife can be spotted on the trail along the Bay. The park is open all year and is located off Old Colchester Road near Lorton. Contact them at: www.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay

Great Falls Park
There is a small fee to enter the park. The park has a designated horse trailer parking lot about � mile from the entrance on the right. The trails are about four or five miles in length, but riders can follow the River Trail upstream to Riverbend Park and back. The trails are are multi-use. The park is open all year and is located in McLean, off Georgetown Pike north of the Capital Beltway . www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa

Conway Robinson State Forest
(Note: As of July 1 ,2009, everyone 16 years and older is required to have a State Forest Use Permit to hunt, ride bikes, or ride horses in the State Forest. The Use Permit, which costs $15 annually, is good for one year following its purchase. The State Forest Use Permit is available online at http://secure01.virginiainteractive.org/horf/ or at authorized retailers who also sell the Virginia state hunting license.)

This 400 acre Forest is a mixture of pine and old growth hardwood stands. It is a wildlife and wildflower sanctuary, and is used for environmental education, hiking, preservation of historic sites, watershed protection and timber production.

Wildlife, wildflowers, century-old trees and pine plantations soothe the mind and refresh the soul as you walk within this 400 acre forest. Hike past an old homesite and the historic Manassas Gap Railroad bed used during the Civil War. Picnic areas available, but there are no services or restrooms.

Directions:
Located in Prince William County adjacent to Manassas National Battle Field. On the west side of State Route 29 north of the intersection of Route 1-66 at Gainesville, Virginia.
From I-66, take Exit 43B (U.S. 29 N). Forest is located just northeast of I-66 on the west side of U.S. 29.
From I-95, take Exit 152 (Rt. 234N) to Rt. 66 West. Follow above directions.