Green Pastures Recreation Area - United States
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Best time to visit Green Pastures Recreation Area
Late spring through early fall offers the most comfortable weather for visiting the Alleghany Highlands, with warm days ideal for hiking and picnicking. The site is open seasonally from the first Friday in May to the last Friday in October, with park hours from 8 a.m. to dusk, so plan trips within that window. September and October deliver crisp air and autumn color across the surrounding ridges, while June through August brings full creek flows and lush greenery. Winter and early spring visits are not possible because the recreation area is closed outside the May-October season.
Park closed for the season; cold with snow and ice possible on mountain roads.
Park closed for the season; trails can be icy.
Park closed for the season; late-season snow possible in the highlands.
Park closed for the season; spring wildflowers begin in surrounding national forest.
Site opens the first Friday of May; comfortable hiking weather, afternoon showers common.
Warm and humid; thunderstorms possible.
Peak summer heat; nearby lakes and streams offer relief.
Humid with frequent afternoon storms.
Cooler evenings; excellent for hiking and picnicking.
Fall foliage peaks mid to late month; site closes the last Friday of October.
Park closed for the season; cool with first frosts arriving.
Park closed for the season; cold with possible snow on secondary roads.
Things to do at Green Pastures Recreation Area
- Green Pastures Lake and Picnic Area Easy
Visitors can walk to the small man-made lake and the CCC-era bathhouse and picnic shelter that form the historic core of the site. The area was originally equipped with a small man-made lake, bathhouse and picnic shelter, barbeque grills, horseshoe pits and a softball field. Access is currently on foot only from the gated entrance. fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj/recreation/green-pastures-recreation-area
- Historic Interpretation Walk Easy
Self-guided exploration of the grounds offers insight into the park's civil rights history as one of the nation's few federal recreation sites built for African Americans during segregation. Green Pastures was built in response to the nearby whites-only Douthat State Park and became the most popular recreation spot for African American communities as far away as Northern Virginia and Maryland. fs.usda.gov/features/segregationist-past-green-pastures-recreation-site
- Hiking the Longdale Trails Easy
Short forest trails lead from the recreation area into surrounding hardwoods on the James River Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The site includes a small lake, the original CCC built bathhouse and picnic shelter, and connecting hiking trails. fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj/recreation/green-pastures-recreation-area
- Douthat State Park Day Trip EasyRV parking available
Douthat State Park is the partner site to Green Pastures and offers full recreation facilities for RV travelers. Douthat sits about 11 miles away in the central Appalachian region with a lake beach, hiking trails, and developed campgrounds with RV sites. dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat
- Fishing in Alleghany Highlands Streams EasyRV parking available
Anglers can fish nearby stocked trout streams and lakes in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The cool, clean lakes, rivers and streams of the forest can be a welcome relief from the heat of Virginia's summers. A Virginia fishing license is required. fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj/recreation
- Scenic Drive on Route 60 and the Blue Ridge EasyRV parking available
The winding drive along old Route 60 through Longdale and onto the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway showcases Alleghany Mountain scenery. The James River Ranger District offers wilderness areas among the Alleghany Mountains in the western section of the forest. RVers should check grade and tunnel clearances along the parkway, where vehicles over 12 feet 8 inches may not clear all tunnels. fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj/recreation
- Picnicking at Nearby National Forest Sites EasyRV parking available
Several Forest Service picnic areas in the James River Ranger District are open to day visitors with room for parking. Picnic areas abound on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, from lakeside beaches to high-Appalachian Mountain views. fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj/recreation
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RV Rentals Green Pastures Recreation Area
Green Pastures Recreation Area, VA, United States
How to get to Green Pastures Recreation Area
Green Pastures Recreation Area sits off Virginia State Route 269 in Alleghany County, roughly 10 miles east of Clifton Forge and about 45 minutes (40 miles) west of Lexington via I-64. From I-64, take exit 35, turn onto Virginia State Route 269 (old Route 60), and travel approximately 2 miles, then turn into the Longdale Recreation Area. RV drivers should use caution on the winding secondary roads and mountain grades of the Alleghany Highlands, and larger rigs should scout pull-off space since the entrance gate is closed to vehicles and access is foot traffic only. The nearest commercial airport for fly-and-rent trips is Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, about 75 miles to the southwest.
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