Sky Meadows State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sky Meadows State Park |
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Fall in Sky Meadows State Park
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 Sky Meadows State Park
Location in Virginia
Sky Meadows State Park
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Front Royal |
| Area | 1862 acres (754 ha) |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
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Mt. Bleak-Skye Farm
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Visitor Center at Mt Bleak-Skye Farm, April 2013
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| Location | 11012 Edmonds Ln., near Delaplane, Virginia |
| Area | 1,618.3 acres (654.9 ha) |
| Built | c. 1780 |
| Architectural style | Federal, Vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000552 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | May 24, 2004 |
Sky Meadows State Park is a huge park in Virginia. It covers about 1,862-acre (754 ha) of land. You can find it in the northwest part of Fauquier County, Virginia. The park is nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It's also close to the town of Paris, Virginia. If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, it's only about an hour's drive away.
The park was created in 1975. A man named Paul Mellon donated 1,132 acres (458 ha) of his land to start it. The name "Sky Meadows" came from an earlier owner, Sir Robert Hadow. He called his property "Skye Farm" after an island in Scotland. The park has grown since then! In 1987, another 248 acres (100 ha) were added. This new part included a section of the famous Appalachian Trail. Then, in 1991, Paul Mellon gave even more land, adding 462 acres (187 ha). This brought the park to its current large size.
You can find Sky Meadows State Park near Paris, Virginia. It's located right off US 17. It's about one mile (1.6 km) south of US 50 and seven miles (11 km) north of Interstate 66. The park starts in a valley between rolling hills and the Blue Ridge Mountains. From there, it stretches up with meadows and forests all the way to the mountain ridge. That's where you'll find the Appalachian Trail!
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Exploring Sky Meadows Park
Sky Meadows State Park offers lots of fun activities. You can go camping, hiking, or even horseback riding!
Camping and Trails
The park has a basic campground where you can walk in to set up your tent. There are over 12 miles (19 km) of hiking trails to explore. If you enjoy horseback riding, there are also 6 miles (10 km) of special paths for horses. The horse trails are located east of US 17. Most of the park, including the hiking trails, is west of US 17.
Nature and Wildlife
Sky Meadows is a great place to see different types of nature. It has meadows, fields where animals graze, thick forests, and streams. This mix of environments means you can find a wide variety of plants and animals.
The park is a fantastic spot for bird watching all year round. It's especially known for a group of red-headed woodpeckers. They live in an oak grove right past the park's entrance. Depending on the time of year, you're almost sure to see them. You might also spot six other types of woodpeckers common in Virginia. These include the downy, hairy, red-bellied, yellow-bellied sapsucker, pileated, and northern flicker.
Stargazing Events
Most months, Sky Meadows hosts special "astronomy nights." During these events, people who love stars and planets bring their telescopes. They let visitors look through them to see amazing things in the night sky. Often, an astronomer from the Smithsonian Institution helps lead these fun evenings. Remember, except for these special astronomy nights, the park closes at dusk. Campers need to be in their spots, and other visitors must leave by then.
Mt. Bleak-Skye Farm: A Historic Place
Mt. Bleak-Skye Farm is a very old and important area located right inside Sky Meadows State Park. It's considered a national historic district. This means it has many old buildings and sites that are protected because of their history.
What You Can See at the Farm
The historic district includes 23 old buildings, like barns, that were built between 1780 and 1954. There's also one historic site and three other structures. The oldest building is a small, one-and-a-half-story house called Wayside Cottage, built around 1780. You can also see the Timberlake farmstead, which dates back to about 1860. Another important building is the Mount Bleak mansion, built around 1843. It's a beautiful example of the Federal style. There's also a Meeting House from about 1845. This historic farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
