Caledon State Park offers a peek at the habitat of the bald eagle on select summer weekends, as well as July 4. I headed there with my wife, our one-year-old, and my parents for a day of exploring with the family. Entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle. Caledon State Park, Virginia: See 27 reviews, articles, and 58 photos of Caledon State Park, ranked No.862 on Tripadvisor among 2,818 attractions in Virginia. dogs-leash. Everything is made out of tree branches, tree stumps, etc... just as much and maybe even more fun than a traditional playground. Take the Bald Eagle Tour. Took my two wheels to Caledon State Park and met my daughter for a day of hiking and bald eagle watching. This park is located along the Potomac River and is a great place for hiking even in the heat of the summer. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We’re already looking forward to another tranquil trip on the water. Planning my next trip already to explore more of this beautiful park.Tips:-The Visitors Center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.-The bathrooms are on the side of the Visitors Center and although the main building may be closed the bathrooms are open. To protect the eagles, access to marshes and the Potomac River is limited. ... Caledon State Park. Caledon and the surrounding areas are the summer home for one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles … Nearby Westmoreland State Park and Caledon State Park are known for their vast bald eagle populations. The city of Alexandria was named after the Alexander family. Once the home of Ann Hopewell Smoot, whose husband inherited the property, she donated it to the Commonwealth of Virginia in memory of her husband. As many as 60 eagles have been spotted on the bluffs overlooking the Potomac River in King George County. Preservation of the … In the late summer “there is typically a pulse of hatching-year birds out to the shoreline as they fledge from local nests,” Bryan Watts, director of the Center for Conservation Biology, wrote in an e-mail. My kids would have a meltdown. We opted for the loop trails in the woods. The signs referred to the strong current off of the beach. They have children’s programs but we did not participate. CALEDON STATE PARK. I plan to try to organize a group tk go back and clean up if possible. The other rooms are dedicated to wild life education. For $3 a person or an $8 family … I wouldn’t take a small umbrella stroller, but the regular full size stroller with bigger wheels did great. A designated National Natural Landmark, Caledon State Park provides visitors a unique opportunity to view bald eagles in their natural habitat. It’s the current. We stopped at the Visitor Center to pick up a map and was the lady working there provided an overview of the history of Caledon House. A replica of an eagle’s nest is on the grounds. Katie Jones / AllTrails There are plenty of other beautiful birds that fly through these … Caledon State Park surprised me with its quiet beauty, deep history, and abundant wildlife. The sites are $15 for Virginia residents and $18 for non-residents. Caledon State Park: Eagle Tour - See 30 traveler reviews, 67 candid photos, and great deals for Virginia, at Tripadvisor. July and August is peak eagle watching  time at Caledon. Bring cash for parking, sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable walking shoes, water, sandwiches/snacks. On my next trip, I’d like to take my family to Caledon overnight to experience what Ranger Peal calls “total seclusion” at one of the hike-in campsites between the river and Jones Pond. Caledon State Park: Eagle Tour - See 30 traveler reviews, 67 candid photos, and great deals for Virginia, at Tripadvisor. A bald eagle was released back into the wild at Caledon State Park in King George. Still, this remains a place of peaceful pleasures. A Virginia treasure. The Triangle Field is a field/meadow surrounded by Loblolly Pine, Virginia pines, and hardwoods such as beech, oaks, red maple and American holly.. Picnic tables and pavilions are located near the parking area. The trails are well-marked and range from easy to difficult. more. oaJECI'IVE: areas on caledon State Pcll'kproperty and the adjoining CedarGroveFann. Kenny Fletcher grew up on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Southern Maryland and now lives in Richmond, Virginia. For years the park was maintained in an undeveloped state to preserve the eagle population. Note: Caledon State Park is the latest access point to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The shore line was beautiful with scattered driftwood, stones and we even found sharks teeth! Friends of Caledon State Park is a 501(c)(3) volunteer organization. That includes ranger-led kayak excursions on the Potomac, eagle tours, fossil hunts, stargazing, and visits to remarkable ancient trees. It... My family and I didn’t run into anyone else on our stroll to the river on Boyd’s Hole Trail – more of a well-maintained gravel road on gently rolling terrain. A designated National Natural Landmark, Caledon provides visitors the unique opportunity of viewing bald eagles in their natural habitat. When you get to the beach area, things change. D-5 To. We decided to visit as we were in Fredricksburg. Lying along the broad tidal stretch of the Potomac River about 50 miles downstream from Washington, DC, these 2,500 acres of riverside forest are a gathering place for bald eagles from up and down the East Coast. We passed the Triangle Field and the Caledon Marsh and ended at the Potomac River. Soon the Potomac came into view, placid and nearly two miles wide. Great trails - lots of wildlife. But, with the support of research, a balance is now being reached that both welcomes visitors and respects the eagles. The library of the house contains artifacts donated by the Smoot family. Turns out that one of the **trails leading to the beach very stroller friendly**Important because the hike is over 4 miles round trip. Its members help park staff with programs, special events, fundraising and education. As we explored the shoreline we looked up to see two bald eagles sitting on a branch in the treetops. Caledon State Park: Gorgeous - See 30 traveller reviews, 67 candid photos, and great deals for Virginia, at Tripadvisor. No plastic swing sets, no metal bars. Not a sifter screen from your kitchen. A National Natural Landmark known for its old growth forest and summer home to many American bald eagles, Caledon attracts bird watchers of all ages. However, a notable stronghold remained around Caledon. These youngsters mix with adults that live there year-round, as well as migratory birds that come up from Florida to spend summers around the Chesapeake Bay. Ask markwZ5635YO about Caledon State Park, Ask W6441VNlindas about Caledon State Park, Hike with a stroller, Enjoy a ‘natural’ playground, Search for shark’s teeth on the beach, Hotels near (DCA) Ronald Reagan National Airport, SeaQuest Lynchburg-Single Day Passport Ticket. The sites are $15 for Virginia residents and $18 for non-residents. Caledon State Park: Home to Bald Eagles and Old Growth Forests - See 30 traveller reviews, 67 candid photos, and great deals for Virginia, at Tripadvisor. It was one of those rare August afternoons with low humidity and a pleasant breeze, perfect for a picnic in the shade of the spreading magnolias and gnarled old cedar in front of the visitor center. For outdoor activities, spend the day at Caledon State Park, known for its bald eagle population and its hiking trails, or take the family to Colonial Beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun. I’m sure there’s bigger to be found. “Here you can be the only person on pristine Potomac waterfront. It’s closed to motor vehicles but perfect for a nice walk. We did the 1.93 mile one way trail Boyd's Hole Trail (from Visitor Center). And totally shaded by the trees.The main house has a few pieces of furniture and a room set up resembling the original farm house interior. The breeze off the water was perfect even in the heat of the day. We wanted to look for shark’s teeth and headed out to Caledon for a half day adventure. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. The trail is actually a gravel road through the woods. Ownership passed, in 1974, to the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you want to up your chances of seeing a bald eagle flying free, head to Caledon State Park in Virginia, where bald eagles can be observed in their natural habitat. She explained that the plantation once also served as a busy port that shipped tobacco. I learned this park is home to one of the east coast’s largest bald eagle populations. The Boyds Hole Trail and Flats trail go through the wildlife management area and critical shoreline area and are closed during the summer months to allow the young bald eagles to learn to hunt without disturbance. We visited this state park on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year (July 19, 2020). Help stop the spread of COVID-19 and follow all current directives from your governor and local health officials about wearing face masks and physical distancing. The teeth wash in with the wave, then go back out again with the wave so you’ve got to be quick when spotting the tooth and grabbing it before the wave takes it back out. 11617 Caledon Road. In 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list, symbolizing the species' remarkable recovery. There we were treated to a wonderful in-depth tour of the area’s history and nature by park volunteer, Carol Sparbel. Recognizing the importance of the site for eagles, in 1984 Caledon became an official state natural area. read more. It’s an area just in the woods, at the first parking lot. A replica of an eagle’s nest is on the grounds. I learned this park is home to one of the east coast’s largest bald eagle populations. This is a good park for day hikes. The trail was shaded, wide and mostly flat. King George, VA 22485. You can just relax by the water and listen to the waves on the shore.”. The park also provides a habitat for bald eagles along the Potomac River. Holes are too small. ! Lots of areas that we did not investigate: other river front sites, marshes, approx 10 different hiking trails.$4 parking fee, with a self pay station on your way in. This park is located along the Potomac River and is a … Besides miles of wide, graveled road trails, the park offers paddle-in or hike-in primitive campsites. The Potomac River can’t be reached by car, requiring instead a nearly two-mile walk or bike ride each way. The park offers approximately 12 miles of hiking trails, 7 of which are open year round. Trails were closed during nesting season and camping was prohibited. Caledon and the surrounding areas are the summer home for one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles on the East Coast. There are no cabins or drive-in campsites full of trailers and RVs. Shore Beauty at Caledon State Park. 6. (Source: Wildlife Center of Virginia) By Brian Tynes | July 26, 2019 at 4:03 PM EDT - Updated July 26 at 4:04 PM The governors of both Virginia and Maryland came together to declare the shoreline and nearshore waters an eagle protection area. What an awesome sight! In 1974, Caledon’s owners donated the land to Virginia for conservation. Within a minute I spotted an eagle flying out over the Potomac, scanning for fish. The park has six new campsites dedicated to paddlers on the trail. You won’t want to miss visiting area wineries, which can be a delightful group activity if you’re hosting a meeting. Besides miles of wide, graveled road trails, the park offers paddle-in or hike-in primitive campsites. For those interested in checking out the eagles and more, the park has a huge variety of activities and programs for all ages. Caledon State Park surprised me with its quiet beauty, deep history, and abundant wildlife. She is very knowledgeable and is quite willing to share her knowledge with all. A sand sifter would work well. Refreshing to dip your feet in, but I’d take the park’s advice and beware.After returning from the hike, the kids played on the playground. There are also displays of the natural history of the area including native plants and birds and information on the American bald eagle. It has a lot of trails, you can walk 8-10 miles and not double back much. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. There are two primitive camp sites available for over night stay at the park. read more, If you are looking for a park that offers beauty, and solitude, Caledon State Park is for you. Show more. Kept the children’s interest for about 5 mins. Caledon State Park: Giant Trees in a Virgin Forrest plus Towering Cliffs, Eagles & Beaches - See 27 traveller reviews, 58 candid photos, and great deals for Virginia, at Tripadvisor. Just then a second eagle alighted from the trees and headed over the river. Short ride from the park gift shop via there van down to the river. Great trails - lots of wildlife. locate and to cilaracterize bald eagle roosting. Check the weather forecast before embarking on a hike through old growth forests and to bird watch. Both state and federal agencies had protected the Caledon SP area as a 'Bald Eagle Sanctuary' under the Endangered Species Act. Nancy H, Guest Relations Manager at Caledon State Park, responded to this review. It swooped down to the water, grabbed its prey, and flew back to the forests on the riverbank. He loves fishing and paddling on creeks and rivers, enjoys a nice walk in the woods, and is always on the lookout for a great story. by. It is $6/person for a 2 hour guided tour. We hiked Boyd's Hole Trail enjoying a picnic lunch at a picnic table with a water view. Mostly flat, but a couple of long inclines at the beginning. But the eagles weren’t the only thing that brought me to this Virginia park on a recent Sunday. Possibly close to 5 miles. Nice shoreline (100 yards appr) Sandy beach. 1 of 6 Ed Clark, president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, releases a female bald eagle into Caledon State Park in King George, Virginia on July 26, 2019. There is no swimming due to swift currents, drop-offs or unseen obstructions. detenn:irieseasonal utilization. The symbol of American freedom and independence, catching sight of a bald eagle in the wild is a special treat. We have volunteers but it it a never ending “bounty” from the sea. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. *While we did not look for Bald Eagles, Caledon is a great place for Eagle watchers and bird watchers alike. Hike one of its trail and maybe you'll spot one! The park is located by the Potomac River and offers approximately 7 miles worth of single track and gravel road trails for hiking and limited off road bicycling. FRIENDS GROUP. When you get to the beach area, things change. I learned this park is home to one of the east coast’s largest bald eagle populations. bald eagles OBJEX:TIVE: of the Potanac River shoreline on caledon, Cedar Grove, and the areas i.mrediately upstreamand chmstream. There are also displays of the natural history of the area including native plants and birds and information on the American bald eagle. There are also displays of the natural history of the area including native plants and birds and information on the American bald eagle. A bench every mile or so along the way if you need a spot to sit. Most seem to end at the Potomac River. $5 entrance fee per vehicle. The area served to protect both old-growth forest and its resident bald eagles. A Virginia treasure. A replica of an eagle’s nest is on the grounds. 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