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Free Union, Virginia

Top Spots in and near Free Union

  • Charlottesville, Virginia

    Kayak Beaver Creek Lake

    4.3
    This little lake close to Charlottesville is my favorite place for an after work kayak, SUP, or just picnic by the water. It's a 20min drive from town, and the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge with water views. No gasoline powered motors allowed, but anything else you can g...
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  • Free Union, Virginia

    Hike Frazier Discovery Trail

    5.0
    1.3 mi / 950 ft gain
    There are two ways to the summit: the first is a 1.3 mile loop that starts at the Loft Mountain Wayside parking lot at mile marker 79.5 off of Skyline Drive in the southern district of Shenandoah National Park.  The second way is a 3.7 mile hike out and back from the Loft Mountain Campground, but...
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  • Crozet, Virginia

    Hike to Doyles Falls

    4.9
    3.2 mi / 1190 ft gain
    From the parking lot at MP 81.1 on the Skyline Drive, take the trailhead to the left of the sign with the trail map. Immediately you'll cross over the Appalachian Trail-stay straight on the blue-blazed trail to Doyles Falls. The trail will descend rapidly for 1.3 miles to Upper Doyles Falls (28' ...
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  • Crozet, Virginia

    Photograph Charlottesville Reservoir

    4.7
    The reservoir is located in the Piedmont Hills just outside the city of Charlottesville, Virginia. So technically Charlottesville Reservoir is not in Shenandoah National Park, but it is only a few feet outside of the park, and it has an outstanding view of the Blue Ridge Mountains that make up th...
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  • Crozet, Virginia

    Hike to Jones Run Waterfall

    4.0
    2 mi / 800 ft gain
    This little known waterfall is located close to the more popular waterfall, Doyles River Falls. Staring at the Jones Run parking area turn left downhill following the blue blazed Jones Run trail. After 1.7 miles you will reach the main waterfall. You can either stay here and enjoy the waterfall o...
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  • Appalachian Trail, Virginia

    Blackrock Summit, Shenandoah NP

    4.7
    1.11 mi / 253 ft gain
    There are two route options, both are under 2 miles and are suitable for hikers of all experience levels. The shortest option, a 1-mile circuit, follows the Appalachian Trail from the Blackrock Summit parking area, which is just north of mile marker 85 on Skyline Drive. With only 175-feet of ele...
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  • Crozet, Virginia

    Hike Moorman's River

    4.5
    2.5 mi
    Along the hike, there are four "official" swimming holes to jump in, but you can make your own at any time. Go in the springtime for a great waterfall at the end the feeds into a swimming hole, and in the fall for a wonderland of foliage. The official name of this hike is Moorman's River, but an...
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  • Free Union, Virginia

    Photograph Brown Mountain Overlook

    At mile post 77 off of Skyline Drive, Brown Mountain Overlook offers photographers a western view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, and the Shenandoah Valley. At 2,840 feet, Brown Mountain Overlook is one of 72 beautiful overlooks that are on Skyline Drive located in the nort...
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  • Elkton, Virginia

    Rocky Mount Trail Loop

    3.2
    9.58 mi / 2200 ft gain
    The trail begin 0.1 miles north of Two Mile Run Overlook at milepost 76.2 on Skyline Drive. You can park at this overlook for the night, just make sure you fill out a (free) wilderness permit and walk the short way on Skyline Drive to the trailhead. Immediately climb a wooded knoll before headin...
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  • Grottoes, Virginia

    Photograph Moormans River Overlook

    5.0
    Moormans River Overlook is one of the few eastern facing overlooks in Shenandoah National Park’s Southern District, which makes this a prime location for watching the sun rise when in this part of the park.  At mile post 92 off of Skyline Drive, Moormans River Overlook offers photographers a 180 ...
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  • Charlottesville, Virginia

    Preddy Creek & Creekside Trail Loop

    4.3
    3.75 mi / 266 ft gain
    My husband is a runner and I am not. I hate to run and the entire time I am running I am exhausting myself thinking how much I hate running. However, I love hiking. I can hike all day and I can kick my runner husband's butt with a pack on going up a mountain trail. The problem with this though is...
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  • Crozet, Virginia

    Hike Turk Mountain

    4.0
    2.2 mi / 700 ft gain
    From the parking area at Turk Gap (MP 94.1), cross over the Skyline Drive.  The Appalachian Trail (AT) intersects right here, and take the AT south by taking the trail on the left.  After 0.2 miles you will turn right off of the AT onto the blue-blazed Turk Mountain Trail.  The trail junctions me...
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  • Charlottesville, Virginia

    Hang Out At Riverview Park

    4.5
    Riverview park has tons of options for getting outside around Charlottesville, VA. Part of the Rivanna Trail runs through here, so if you are really ambitious, this trail goes around the entire city. There are paved trails right along the river, so you can choose your activity. Running, biking, a...
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  • Elkton, Virginia

    Hike to Hightop Mountain, Shenandoah NP

    4.5
    3.2 mi / 900 ft gain
    The parking area for the Hightop Mountain hike is one mile south of the Swift Run Gap entrance on Skyline Drive. If you’re looking to add extra mileage to your hike, you can also park at the entrance and pick up the Appalachian Trail just south of the overpass (doing so will add 1.2 miles each w...
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  • Stanardsville, Virginia

    Hike South River Falls

    4.5
    4.4 mi
     The trail head for the South River Falls Trail is located at mile marker 63 off of Skyline Drive via the South River Picnic Area.  Loop around the picnic area until you reach the Eastern corner where you will find a sign and a map marking the beginning of the 4.2-mile trail.  Over the first mile...
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  • North Garden, Virginia

    Wilkins Way Loop

    4.33 mi / 640 ft gain
    Wilkins Way Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near North Garden, Virginia.
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Camping and Lodging in Free Union

Loft Mountain Campground
Crozet, Virginia

Loft Mountain Campground

Dundo Group Campground
Grottoes, Virginia

Dundo Group Campground

Getaway Shenandoah
Stanardsville

Getaway Shenandoah

From $199 / night

Charlottesville KOA Holiday
Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville KOA Holiday

Big Meadows
Stanley, Virginia

Big Meadows

Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA Holiday
Broadway, Virginia

Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA Holiday

Guides, Insights and Stories from Free Union

A Gorgeous Summer Adventure at Doyles River Falls

A Gorgeous Summer Adventure at Doyles River Falls

Jeremy Meek

Chasing Fall Colors in Shenandoah National Park

Chasing Fall Colors in Shenandoah National Park

Brandon Dewey

A Sunset You Won't Forget: Hawksbill Summit in Shenandoah National Park

A Sunset You Won't Forget: Hawksbill Summit in Shenandoah National Park

Demetrios Varoumas

5 Gorgeous Spring Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

5 Gorgeous Spring Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

Jess Fischer

Arlington, Virginia's Top 4 Basecamps For Hikers

Arlington, Virginia's Top 4 Basecamps For Hikers

Hipmunk