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800-393-6180
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804-333-1919
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NNTC
P.O. Box 1707
Warsaw, VA 22572
Your
Chesapeake Bay Country Getaway
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The Northern Neck of Virginia has long been a naturalist's delight. Surrounded
by the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac and the Rappahannock
Rivers, the Northern Neck is not only a fishing and boating haven, but
an area of undisputed beauty. Untouched and rural, the Northern Neck affords
the visitor a unique perspective of the natural landscape and wildlife.
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Located in the middle of the Atlantic
flyway, the Northern Neck offers birders the chance to spot a large assortment
of birds ranging from great blue herons to ruby-throated hummingbirds. With
more than 6,500 acres of natural areas and preserves and 1,100 miles of
shoreline, the Northern Neck is one of the few places on the Atlantic seaboard
that still offers numerous habitats including salt and freshwater marshes,
agricultural croplands, woodlands and open fields.
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In the spring, the woods are alive
with the mating and nesting activity of our resident songbirds and northward-bound
migrants. All summer long along the Chesapeake Bay, you’ll see ospreys,
cormorants, pelicans, herons and egrets working the salt marshes and tidal
areas. By fall, flocks of migrating ducks and Canada geese stop down along
the rivers and cornfields to feed and rest. During the winter, tundra swans,
snow geese, and other northern waterfowl make their homes here. |
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Recently, twenty-one sites on the Northern Neck were named to the Virginia
Birding and Wildlife Trails Coastal Area tour. Visitors will be rewarded
with opportunities to experience songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds, bald
eagles, and magnificent butterflies. Copies of the guide may be obtained
by contacting the Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries, 1-866-VABIRDS
or 804-367-1000.
Grab your binoculars, pack a lunch and head out along one of our nature
trails and you’ll find out why our nature preserves are for the birds.
Belle Isle
State Park. 733 acres, 7 miles of shoreline, tidal wetlands, agricultural
fields and upland forests provide numerous opportunities for spotting
birdlife along the Rappahannock River. Virginia Birding and Wildliffe
site # CNN15.
Lancaster. 804-462-5030
Caledon Natural
Area. A National Natural Landmark. Observe Bald Eagles in the
natural habitat. One of the largest summer roosting sites for the American
Bald Eagle. Birding, special events, and educational programs year round.
Special guided tours into eagle habitat along the Potomac River. Picnic
shelters, gift shop, and hiking trail. Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Site #CNN01.
11617 Caledon Road (Route 618). www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/caledon.htm
King George. 540-663-3861.
Northern Neck Audubon
Society for Guided bird and nature walks, Workshops and
lectures. Northern Neck Bird List. For membership info P.O. Box 991, Kilmarnock,
VA 22482, 804-435-0636
Westmoreland
State Park. miles of hiking trails through hardwood forests, marshes
and beach front are perfect haabitat for many and varioous species of
birds and wildlife. Virginia Birding and Wildllife site #CNN07.
Montross. 804-493-8821
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Birding/Wildlife/Nature Trails
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The Northern Neck features a wide variety of waterfront and forested
sites. Visitors will have the opportunity to see songbirds, waterfowl,
wading birds, bald eagles and breathtaking butterflies.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries publishes the
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail guide. To obtain copies of the Virginia
Birding and Wildlife Trail guide, contact the Virginia Department of Game
and Fisheries at 1-866-VABIRDS or 804-367-1000.
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| Trail & Description |
Phone Number |
Distance |
Difficulty Level |
| Barnesfield Park, Highway 301 at the Potomac
Gateway Welcome Center, King George. 175-acre County Park on the Potomac
River with nature trails, picnic areas and playground. Nature trails
and beach fishing along Potomac River shore. |
n/a |
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Easy |
| Belle Isle State Park, off of Route 354 in Lancaster
County. Open year round for hiking, picnicking, guided canoe trips,
bridle trails. Boat ramp. Trails follow old farm roads through fields
and marshes to the Rappahannock River. |
804-462-5030 |
5 miles |
Easy to moderate |
| Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve, Mathews.
No facilities. Contains constantly changing sandy beach, low dunes,
and salt marsh inhabitants. Open year round, but access to lower portion
of the property is restricted seasonally from May 1 through September
15 to protect a globally rare coastal insect and beach plant. |
804-684-7577 |
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Easy |
| Bushmill Stream Natural Area. Route 642 off of
Route 202, west of Heathsville. Nature preserve at headwaters of the
Great Wicomico River. No facilities. Trail through woods down to stream
and marshes. Observation deck overlooks heron feeding areas. |
804-462-5030 |
1.5 miles |
Moderate |
| Caledon
Natural Area. Route 218, King George County. Bald eagle observation
tours, picnicking, information center and gift shop. Trails through
environmentally sensitive marshlands and woodland areas on the Potomac
River. |
540-663-3861 |
5 miles |
Moderate |
| George Washington's Birthplace National Monument.
Route 204, near Oak Grove. Monument, colonial farm, visitor center,
natural area, picnic area on Popes Creek. Walking trails through colonial
farm area, woodlands, and marshes. |
804-224-1732 |
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Easy |
| Hickory Hollow Trail. Route 604 off of Route
3 in Lancaster County. Owned by the Northern Neck Audubon Society. Picnic tables. Woodsy
nature trail through pines and hardwoods down to Cabin Swamp. |
804-435-6092 |
2 miles |
Easy to Moderate |
| Hughlett Point Nature Preserve. Route 605 off
of Route 200. North of Kilmarnock. Long sandy beach on Chesapeake
Bay and Dividing Creek. No facilities. Trails through woods and along
farm road leads to salt marsh, dunes and beach. |
804-462-5030 |
2 miles |
Easy |
| Lands End Wildlife Management Area. Virginia
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Lands End Way is situated
along the north shore of the Rappahannock River. Eagles and many water
fowl. Large number of neotropical land birds. |
757-253-4180 |
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| Rappahannock River NWR Wildlife Refuge. Route
634 off of Route 360, near Warsaw. 1,100 acre wildlife refuge along
Cat Point Creek. Limited facilities and schedule. Several miles of
trails along farm roads through woods and marshes. Several tracts
open by reservation. View wildlife from trails along forests, fields,
marshes, and ponds. HQ off Rt 640 in Richmond County is open weekdays
8-4:30 pm. |
804-333-1470 |
Various |
Easy to moderate |
| Ruritan Nature Trail - Rappahannock Community College.
Warsaw. Labeled nature trail adjacent to college campus. Trail winds
through forest lands and along creek. |
804-333-6700 |
1 mile |
Moderate |
| Stratford Hall Plantation. Route 214 off of Route
3, west of Montross. Ancestral home of the historic Lee family. Tours.
Dining room. Several nature trails through wooded area of 1,670 acre
plantation on the Potomac River. |
804-493-8038 |
3 miles |
Easy to Difficult |
| Totuskey Creek Park. Route 3, east of Warsaw
in Richmond County. County park with roadside picnic area, boat ramp,
fishing. Limited facilities. Roadside park overlooks marshes along
Totuskey Creek. |
804-224-9171 |
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| Vorhees Nature Preserve. Route 637 at Westmoreland
Berry Farm near Oak Grove. Nature conservancy preserve located along
the Rappahannock River. Several miles of woodland trails with observation
points overlooking river and marshes. |
804-224-9171 |
6 miles |
Moderate |
| Westmoreland State Park. State Park Road(off
of Route 3), west of Montross. Full service park. Several miles of
woodland trails with observation points overlooking river and marshes.
Trails wind through marshlands, woods, meadows, and along the Potomac
River. |
804-493-8821 |
6 Miles |
Easy to Moderate |
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Eco-Tours
Our eco-tourism group will work with you to make your
stay unique and special. You decide if hiking, biking, birding, paddling,
or sailing is your sport of choice. A unique getaway program is designed
especially for the overnight visitor. Select a site and activity and let
one of the members of the eco-tourism group below assist you in creating
a dream trip.
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Westmoreland State Park
- Facilities include boat ramp, hiking trails, sandy
beach, pool, cabins, retreat lodge, campsites, and camping
cabins. The Potomac River
Retreat at Westmoreland State Park offers an opportunity to enjoy
the beauty of this historic river. This unique abode is perfect
for any occasion: reunions, meetings, retreats, conferences or just
a simple vacation.
Westmoreland County, VA. (804)
493-8821/(800) 933-PARK www.dcr.state.va.us
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Belle Isle
State Park - Nestled on a secluded peninsula at the confluence
of Deep Creek and the Rappahannock River on Virginia's Northern
Neck, the Bel Air Mansion is the natural choice for a romantic getaway,
family reunions, vacations, small meetings, retreats and conferences.
Beautiful 733-acre park with 7 miles of Rappahannock River shoreline.
Hiking, canoeing, bridle path, and boat rentals. Lancaster County,
VA. 804-462-5030 or 800-933-PARK.
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Caledon Natural Area
- This 2,579 acres along the Potomac River has one of
the largest concentrations of bald eagles on the East Coast.
Hiking trails, educational programs. King
George County, VA. (540) 663-3861/(800)
933-PARK.
www.dcr.state.va.us
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Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Still in the early stages of development, the refuge consists
of over 6,000 acres spread over five counties. The Wilna House,
near Warsaw, houses the refuge headquarters and is open weekdays
8 am - 4:30 pm. Other tracts are open to wildlife oriented recreation
by reservation only. Call to schedule a visit. Richmond County,
Virginia. 804-333-1470.
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The Holiday Inn Express - Single
rooms with king-size beds. Free Continental breakfast. Internet
access, cable TV, pool. Kilmarnock,
VA (804) 436-1500/(800) 844-0124.
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The Bell House
Enjoy the hospitality of this Historic
Landmark once the home of Alexander Graham
Bell. Overlooking the Potomac. Colonial
Beach, VA (804) 224-7000
www.thebellhouse.com
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Stratford Hall Plantation
- The birthplace of Robert E. Lee. Nature trails, beautiful
meadows, and period gardens. Tours daily.
Stratford, VA
(804)493-8229 www.stratfordhall.org
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 Calm
Waters Rowing - Rowing packages include
meals and accommodations at the Inn at Levelfields.
Instruction, one-on-one coaching. Lancaster,
VA (804) 435-6887/(800) 238-5578
www.calmwatersrowing.com
Bed, Breakfast & Rowing: This all-inclusive package is geared
towards all types, from the complete novice to the experienced sculler.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn the sport or just want to brush up
on your skills, spend a few days with us! Each day you’ll enjoy
the elegant accommodations of the Inn at Levelfields while receiving
three coached on-the-water sessions with a talk and demonstration
before the row, videotape analysis and three hearty and delicious
meals. If you enjoy hiking and/or birding, we have trails
just a mile away where the bird life is abundant. Just the
other day, a bald eagle was spotted in our backyard and there are
herons on the lake.
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Chesapeake Bay Camp Resort - Scenic resort on placid harbor with the bay creek
and river for exploring. Canoe rentals, swimming pool, and modern facilities.
Shaded campsites and fully furnished park lodges for rent. Reedville,
VA. 804-453-3430. www.chesapeakebaycampresort.com
The Gables B&B Inn - Victorian sea captain's
mansion. Water views and boat slips on the Bay. Additional rooms with
private baths. In 1880's Coach House. Reedville, VA. 804-453-5209. www.thegablesbb.com
Quinton Oaks Golf Course- 18 holes, driving range,
and practice green. Lessons available. Special rates for seniors and juniors.
Callao,
VA Pro shop 529-5367 and restaurant - 529-9200. www.quintonoaks.com
Northern Neck Heritage Tours- Guided group
tours through the Northern Neck. Experience its illustrious history and
pristine resources. We provide transporation, food, lodging, and entertaining
tour guides for groups of all sizes. Custom trips designed free. Heathsville,VA
804-580-6336. www.NNHT.com
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