Entertainment
Activities |
| Contact Info |
Description |
Directions & Information |
| Nelson County Visitor News and Calendar |
Information for Tourists and Visitors to Our Community. |
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Local Wineries and Breweries
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Explore Nelson County's Finest Wineries |
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Blue Ridge Parkway
540-377-2377 |
Virginia's 214 Parkway miles link Shenandoah
National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Nelson
County segment - which extends 30 miles - leads travelers through the
Blue Ridge Mountains between mileposts 0 and 30, and offers compelling
views plus opportunities for short side trips to local attractions. The
Parkway is a designated route on the Trans-America Bicycle Trail. Many
overlooks and picnic areas. |
Parkway begins off Rt 250 at Afton Mountain,
access from Routes 664, 56 and 814. Open daily all year around weather
permitting. Facilities open May-October |
Oak Ridge Estate
434-263-8676 |
The mansion on this 5,000 acre estate was first
built in 1802 and acquired at the turn of the century by Thomas Fortune
Ryan, a Nelson County native who had become one of the 10 wealthiest
men in the nation. He made impressive alterations to the buildings and
grounds - adding a formal Italian garden, rotunda greenhouse, railroad
station, horse racing track, etc. |
Rt 653, 2 Miles East of Hwy 29, Just
South of Lovingston |
Wintergreen Performing Arts
434-325-8292 |
Concerts of classical and popular music offered
during the summer months on the ski slopes at Wintergreen Resort. Other
local venues include the Rockfish Presbyterian Church in Nellysford.
Look under Events to find their schedule of performances. |
Most concerts take place in the John D.Evans
Performing Arts Center on the slopes at Wintergreen Resort |
Driving Tours
800-282-8223 |
The Nelson County visitor center has driving
tours of agricultural and historic areas. Apple blossom tours
(mid-April) take in 5 local apple orchards. Also, bicycle tours and
suggested motorcycle tours available. |
Visitor Center is on Hwy 29 in Lovingston. Open 7
days a week from 9-5 |
| Woodson's Mill |
Built in 1794, reconstructed in 1845. Uses
water-driven millstones to grind wheat, corn and other grains. This
4-story post-and-beam structure, which also houses a cider press is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mill not open to
the public, but you are welcomed to view Mill from the grounds. |
Rt 778 in Lowesville, one mile from Rt 151. |
| Spring/Summer
Activities |
| Contact Info |
Description |
Directions & Information |
Free Pools at Wintergreen for Our
Renters |
There are two HOA Pools at Wintergreen for free use by our renters: Chestnut Spring (10 minutes away by car) and Rodes Farm (20 minutes away by car). They are heated and have lifeguards during the day and the kids will really enjoy them. |
Summer pool hours are 10 am to 6 pm Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pools are closed everyday between 9 am to 10 am for daily maintenance and Thursday from 6 pm to Friday 10 am for maintenance. |
| Indoor Pool, Spa and Fitness |
There is also a well-equipped exercise center with experienced staff and Wintergreen offers the very best in total body fitness while surrounding you with a truly rejuvenating environment. The center has a large indoor pool that is open all year and outdoor hot tubs. This center is open daily and has a fee of $15/person over the age of 5 (age 5 and under are free) - we do not get any discounts, but a season ski pass does get you a small (approximately 10-15% discount) discount. |
The Wintergarden Spa and Fitness Center indoor pool is open year-round. All Wintergreen outdoor pools are open daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Outdoor pools are located at the Aquatics & Fitness Center, Mountain Village (behind the Mountain Inn) and Stoney Creek Golf Course. For more information on pools call 434-325-8280. |
| Summer Kids Programs |
The Treehouse is the starting point for numerous activities for children ages 2½ - 14 of all abilities. Counselors, supervisors and managers all join the fun with lots of energy and creative programming - with nothing but adventure in mind. |
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| Fishing at Wintergreen |
Providing excellent fishing is Stoney Creek itself where it flows within the boundaries of Wintergreen. The trout stream is stocked annually and offers lots of opportunities for catching fish up to 20 inches. The stream is limited to fly fishing only with barbless hooks and is a “catch and release” area. |
As in other waters of the Commonwealth, a fishing license is required. |
State Fish Hatchery
540-377-2418 |
Each year approximately 170,000 newly-hatched
brook, brown and rainbow trout are nurtured to maturity at this rearing
station, then released to stock all trout waters east of the Blue Ridge
Parkway. Fish at various stages of maturity are visible in cascading
pools. The facility is operated by the Virginia Department of Game and
Inland Fisheries. Picnic tables and restrooms are available. "Fish
food" available so children can feed the fish. Close to Crabtree Falls |
Rt 690, off Rt 56 in Montebello, 3 miles from
Blue Ridge Parkway. Open 8 am - 3:30 pm. Free admission |
Lake Monocan
Canoeing and Paddle Boat Rentals
434-325-8181
|
Lake Monocan at Wintergreen Resort offers lake
canoeing and paddle boat rentals. Canoe, paddle boat and funyaks
rentals by the hour. |
Open weekends in May and September and daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hours: 10am - 6 pm and 10am - 7 pm on Saturdays in July and August. |
| Boat Launch - Wingina |
Picnic sites, fishing, boat ramp. Across the
river and 4-miles downstream of new James River State Park. |
James River, Route 56. |
| Boat Launch - Lake Nelson |
Picnic sites, fishing. Good for canoes, kayaks,
row boats and electric powered boats. |
On Route 812 south of Lovingston off Route 655. |
| Boat Launch - Tye River Park |
Picnic sites, fishing. Suitable for canoes and
kayaks (white water) Check water level before launching. |
On the Tye River, Route 56, south-east of Tyro. |
| Boat Launch - James River Wildlife Mgmt Area |
Watchable wildlife, picnic sites, hiking and
bicycling trails. |
On the James River, 2 miles downstream from
Wingina. On Route 626 near Mid-way Mills.
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| 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
434-286-2338
|
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. |
|
Canoe/Kayak, Tube Livery - James River Reeling
& Rafters
434-286-4FUN |
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. |
| Fall/Winter
Activities |
| Contact Info |
Description |
Directions & Information |
| Wintergreen - Ski and Snowboard |
Wintergreen Resort was named by readers of the
Washingtonpost.com web site as the BEST SKI RESORT in the Mid-Atlantic
region! We're all looking forward to opening day - expected to be
Saturday, November 26, 2005 |
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| Year-Round
Activities |
| Contact Info |
Description |
Directions & Information |
Bicycling - Road Tours
800-282-8223 or 434-263-7015 |
The Nelson County Visitor Center has county maps
and cue sheets for various bicycle tours that range from
moderate to very difficult. Five loops have
been mapped out: Oak Ridge Loop-29 miles, Walton's Museum
Loop-31 miles, Woodson's Mill Loop-24 miles, Blue Ridge Parkway from
Love North-40 miles and Blue Ridge Parkway from Love South-22 miles.
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| Blue Ridge Rail Trail |
The first 2 miles of the 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. The future trail will travel another 5 miles along the
railroad bed to Tye 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. |
Bicycling - Mountain Bikes
434-325-2200 |
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. |
|
Horseback Riding at Rodes Farm Stables
434-325-8260 |
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. Pony rides for kids, sunset trail rides, riding
lessons, escorted rides, hacks for the advanced rider and more. |
Trail rides are offered daily, mid-March through
November, except Wednesdays. |
Hiking
- Appalachian Trail
434-263-7015 |
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. Detailed trail maps are available at
the visitor center on Highway 29 in Lovingston. |
Hiking - Crabtree Falls Trail
434-263-7015 |
Crabtree Falls trail re-opened with 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. Nelson County visitor
center |
| 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
434-325-8169 |
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. |
|
Golf, Tennis, Skiing, Swimming - Wintergreen
Resort
434-325-2200 |
Wintergreen Resort has 45 holes of
nationally-ranked golf, 20 ski slopes and trails, a tubing park, 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. |
|
Clay Shooting - Orion Shotgun Sports Center
434-263-6622 |
The Orion Shotgun Sports Center &
Corporate Training Facility is a recreational sporting and professional
development facility located on the Oak Ridge Estate in Nelson
County. Orion's Shotgun Sports Center features sporting clays
and other exciting clay target sports beautifully set into the backdrop
of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Orion's world class woodland sporting
clays course is fully automated with Superior Traps, equipped with a
50' tower and highlighted with handsome shooting stations.
The semiprivate membership based facility caters to shotgun sports
enthusiasts, and corporate groups. Private instruction,
seminars, schools and private functions can be scheduled. |
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Outdoor Wilderness Leadership School
434-325-8166 |
Mountain dirt biking, kayaking, rappelling,
backpacking, corporate development courses. Located at Wintergreen
Resort. |
|
Out of Bounds Adventure Center
434-325-8505 |
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. |
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Entertainment Activities
Spring/Summer Activites
Fall/Winter Activities
Year-Round Activities
