Sites On This Loop
- PCU01: Bull Run Mountains State Natural Area Preserve
- PCU01A: Leopold’s Preserve
- PCU02: Conway-Robinson State Forest
- PCU03: Vint Hill Farms Park
- PCU04: Whitney State Forest
- PCU04A: Weston Wildlife Management Area
- PCU05: C.M. Crockett Park
- PCU06: John Marshall Birthplace Park
- PCU07: Kelly’s Ford
- PCU08: Lake Culpeper
- PCU09: Mountain Run Lake Park
- PCU10: Culpeper Birding Route-This site has been withdrawn from the VBWT
Description
The Culpeper Loop winds its way through the northern Virginia Piedmont providing access to a range of small reservoirs, forested parks and more memories of our nation’s struggle during the Civil War. This loop is worth exploring year-round, and over the years, has revealed several surprising observations for the Piedmont and Virginia, including scissor-tailed flycatcher, a rare visitor from parts further south and west. The wooded areas along the trail hold impressive passerine flocks during migration and in the winter months, while providing ample habitats for the breeding residents each summer. Kelly’s Ford provides a wide view of the State Scenic Rappahannock River as well as a lengthy lesson on the largest cavalry battle fought in the Western Hemisphere. Autumn brings an especially fruitful time since the glorious fall colors are accompanied by neotropical migrants heading south. At this time, places like Lake Pelham have not yet frozen over and are overflowing with a great diversity of waterfowl before they are pushed further south. Keep a look out for hooded mergansers and tundra swans among others. These same lakes support an exciting array of dragonflies and damselflies during the warmer months of the year.
Loop Map
Services
Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center
540.825.8628
visitor@culpepervachamber.com
Culpeper Department of Tourism
540.727.0611
tourism2@verizon.net
Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce
540.347.4414
mailbox@fauquierchamber.org
Fauquier County Dept. of Economic Development
540.349.1231
mary.prince@fauquiercounty.gov
Madison Chamber of Commerce
540.948.4455
chamber@madison-va.com
Orange County Department of Tourism & Visitors Bureau
877.222.8072
karonkeith@firstva.com
Prince William County/Manassas Convention & Visitors Bureau
800.432.1792
amaher@visitpwc.com
Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce
703.368.6600
djones@pwchamber.org
Prince William Regional Chamber
703.590.5000
rclapper@pwchamber.org
Warrenton-Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce
800.820.1021
visitorcenter@fauquierchamber.org