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January 2024 by James M.
Drove over a hour to check out this State park for the First Hike of 2024. So glad we did, they really supported the event with extra parking staff for the overflow of expected visitors. Super friendly Staff at every event within the park we visited. It was a wee bit chilly & windy so we started with a Tour of the House- LOL Joe was our tour guide, very knowledgeable about the home & the history of the families that occupied it over the years. After the house tour we were directed over to the near-by cabin where they had a warm fire going with friendly Rangers serving hoppin' john. They explained the significance of its ingredients & how it came about. We stopped by the Visitors Center which had another friendly & helpful Ranger. Nice assortment of souvenirs from T-Shirts to Pins and a lot in-between. There were some cool exhibits with some live animals and taxidermy displays. Our only complaint was the bathrooms, only two and today the lines stayed long. Great experience and we will definitely be back to explore some of the longer trails.
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May 2023 by Google user
By far the most beautiful state park I have visited in Virginia. The varied topology and splendid lush green meadows comforts the feet like a carpet. There are plenty of trails, we started on the Piedmont trail followed by the North Ridge trail to South Ridge before merging back to Boston Mill Road. The entire experience was a WoW. Pictures do not do justice, so do visit the park and enjoy Nature at its best.
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May 2023 by Serena Liao
First time here today, extremely scenic and peaceful trails (dog friendly too), with blooming eastern redbud all over the rolling hills. Can’t wait to come back for more hiking and family friendly activities. PS: paid online since no staff at the park entrance to collect the fees.
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May 2023 by Rupam Chakraborty
By far the most beautiful state park I have visited in Virginia. The varied topology and splendid lush green meadows comforts the feet like a carpet. There are plenty of trails, we started on the Piedmont trail followed by the North Ridge trail to South Ridge before merging back to Boston Mill Road.The entire experience was a WoW.Pictures do not do justice, so do visit the park and enjoy Nature at its best.
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May 2023 by Aldrin
In the tapestry of Virginia’s beauty, there's a gem that shines brighter after sundown - the Sky Meadows State Park. This splendid slice of nature, with its carpet of green by day and a blanket of stars by night, is a true testament to the glory of the great outdoors.Our recent visit was an adventure in celestial beauty. As the day surrendered to the night, the park transformed into a stage for the stars, each one twinkling with a light show that could rival any Broadway production. It was a spectacle that left us in awe, our gazes pinned to the heavens, counting more stars than we thought possible in one lifetime.Yet, Sky Meadows is more than just a stargazer's paradise. By day, it unfurls into an idyllic setting for a picnic, with spots that offer more than just a patch of grass. They are invitations to connect with nature, to breathe in the clean air, and to let the tranquillity seep into your bones.We couldn't explore the full extent of the park's offerings this time, but the camping experience is already on our bucket list for the next visit. From what we've seen and experienced so far, we know it's going to be another date with nature’s grandeur.If you're in Virginia, and the call of the wild resonates with you, or if you're just looking for a place to marvel at the universe’s nightly performance, Sky Meadows State Park should be your destination. Trust me, the stars look better here.
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March 2023 by Ian B.
Was very nice hiking trails and camping slots but was a little confused and called the office for help was met with a very rude ranger Duncan who seemed annoyed to have to do his job I'm not sure if I will be returning but if I do I will not be interacting with the rangers considering it was so much of a hassle to come down and help people something I thought was part of a rangers job I guess I was wrong amazing hikes though
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January 2023 by Jacob Blandford
Lots of great trails and some good hills to get your blood pumping. I enjoy the combination of historic farm and forest preserve. The trails are really well marked and the map is great too. Other parks should learn from Sky Meadow. All the park rangers and staff were friendly. It’s convenient and quick trip from dc metro area. $10 to enter and park.
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January 2023 by David Chen
Hiked at the park this afternoon (Dec. 25, 2022). AT, top portion of North Ridge trails were icy. Ice cleats are strongly recommended if you plan to hike there in the next day or two. Saw only about 10 people during my hike (about two and half hours) due to the cold weather and Christmas Day.
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November 2022 by Michael Gracey
This park happens to be one of my favorites to hike in both spring and autumn. Multiple trails allow for both gradual or steep elevation changes and woodland and meadow views interspersed with most trails over a mile or so long. Hikes at this park can be challenging for some and exhilarating for others. The trail map available at the park can show which trails will be more demanding elevation and/or length-wise. Additional trails exist at a separate section of the park down the road from the visitor center with separate parking.The park offers different shows and festivals on specified weekends at various times during the year such as the historical reenactment happening when I visited on a fall Saturday. Volunteers handled a higher volume of cars skillfully, and parking turned out to be ample. Rangers were friendly and helpful explaining trail options and activities at the park. All in all a great place to spend an afternoon or even the entire day.
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November 2022 by John Hoagland
Large park with small camping area, lots of hiking trails, pretty views of rolling hills and mountains fall colors, historical buildings, really great fishing pond(entrance across from lost mountain), horse back trails and parking for horse trailers(lost mountain).Right off of highway.Really great experience.
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October 2022 by Jessica Long
I went there for a nice Saturday hike. I chose to do the Piedmont Overlook to the the North Ridge loop. The Piedmont Overlook is pretty steep with areas to sit halfway and at the top of the overlook. It was really cool because you walk in the enclosure with the cows. So, pets need to be leashed and children attended too!There are lots of other trails on the grounds some that connect with the Appalachian Trail.It's $10/car to park. Cash can be paid at the booth before entry OR at the visitors center.They were having fun fall events when I went.There is good signage and maps as well at the start with ample parking!
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September 2022 by Ellen K.
Loved everything about the monthly star night last night - the NASA JPL person and the knowledgeable ranger had people gasping and applauding as they pointed out the stars, galaxies, and a SpaceX rocket launch. Go for the Milky Way, stay for the new knowledge.
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August 2022 by John P.
We visited Sky Meadows State Park to view the Perseids meteor shower because Sky Meadows is the closest dark sky park to Washington, DC. Dark sky parks are internationally sanctioned locations where light pollution is minimal from surrounding areas and tightly controlled within the park to enable enhanced viewing of the night sky. Unfortunately, contrary to the charter of the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA) which certified the park in 2021, this dark sky park is a club instead of a park. Here's text from the first criteria of eligibility for dark sky certification from the IDSA: "The Park must provide the opportunity for public nighttime access, with or without supervision. A portion of designated land may meet this require- ment, or access must be available for a fraction of the length of the night. In some cases, such as when working with areas that protect endangered wildlife, archeological sites, or other sensitive resources, this requirement may be adjusted. Public access to public or private lands may be subject to a nominal entry fee, but must not be contingent on the required paid use of any other product, service, program or facility available at the site." Here's what we learned from the park website and one of its rangers: 1) The park closes at dusk. 2) It is open at night to the general public if you pay $10 for parking and $30 for a campsite. Here's what the park wrote on its application to the IDSA: "The park provides year-round overnight public access through primitive, hike-in camping." 3) The park has monthly astronomy events: "There is also public access to the day-use area of the park a minimum of 12 nights per year with the monthly Astronomy for Everyone." 4) The park is supposed to be open for meteor showers: "The park has also provided the opportunity for the public to access the park during meteor showers with the help of the Friends of Sky Meadows, and hopes to continue offering these in the future, up to three events per year. These programs were suspended in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic." (Sitting in a field at night looking up at the night sky to watch a meteor shower has been suspended because of fears of Covid.) 5) The park is open all night, every night, for club members: "In addition, the park provides 365-day a year all-night access to members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club through our associated partnership, as well as to the park's Dark Sky Volunteers, for amateur astronomy activities." I'm sure it's a wonderful resource for the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club and the Dark Sky Volunteers. It doesn't appear to me that the Sky Meadows dark sky park has the accessibility that is outlined in the IDSA charter. In particular, Sky Meadows requires users to pay $40 for parking and use of a campsite if users cannot attend the one monthly, three hour, staffed, astronomy events. My experience at other dark sky parks is much different and was consistent with the ISDA's guidelines for parks. We enjoyed easier access to the parks, we could bring a lawn chair and binoculars and enjoy the night skies on any night we chose without paying for unwanted services. International Dark Sky Association - Find A Dark Sky Place website: International Dark Sky Association - Sky Meadows State Park website: International Dark Sky Park Program Guidelines: Sky Meadows State Park International Dark Sky Park Application 2020:
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June 2022 by Andrew OFlah
Had a great time camping here. Campsite is beautiful, especially this time of year with the trees blooming (Redbuds and more!!). Stream ran alongside site and we awoke to what seemed like dozens of different species of birds singing overhead in the trees. Lots of Woodpeckers. There was also a ton of firewood available to buy at the site and it was a fairly easy trek from the car to the site. Mostly flat until the end where there is an incline up to the campsites.Online it says we have the site reserved until 1PM the following day, but the member in the visitor center who checked us in told us 11AM. This was disappointing to learn. Besides that, it was amazing and it’s nice not having a bunch of cars around. A lot of stars were visible even though the full moon was out. Definitely spend a night here!
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June 2022 by Alita B
What a beautiful park! You have plenty of parking, and plenty of options for hiking trails in terms of both length and difficulty. The property is very well cared for. You have to pay a $10 entry fee.
