Scenic Seven Bends State Park is located a few miles from historic downtown Woodstock in Shenandoah County, and 35 miles southwest of Winchester and 40 miles northeast of Harrisonburg.
This 1,066 acre public day-use area lies adjacent to the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest and is an access point to the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. This gateway into the heart of the Shenandoah Valley provides visitors with access to trails, boating, fishing, picnicking and wildlife viewing, and an opportunity to explore and experience nature at its finest.
Activities
Visit this peaceful Virginia state park and discover its natural and historical resources while exploring, relaxing and spending time with loved ones. Bring a picnic and spend the day. Whether you’re just passing through or staying in the area for a few days you’ll find plenty to do inside Seven Bends State Park.
Here are a few of the many activities that you can do during your visit to Seven Bends State Park:
Trails at Seven Bends State Park
Seven Bends State Park has 8 miles of easy to difficult trails for hiking and mountain biking plus access to many more within the adjacent George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. The Talus Trail inside the park connects to the Massanutten Trail in GW & J National Forests.
Many of the park’s trails wind along the western slope of Powell Mountain, part of the Massanutten Mountain Range. Two miles of trails follow along the Seven Bends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.
Here are a couple of popular trails at Seven Bends State Park:
- Gokotta Trail – An easy 1.7 mile flat, gravel trail that is mostly shaded and offers beautiful views of the river.
- Eagles Edge Trail – Easy one mile trail with picturesque views of the river, mountains and streams. Many historical markers along this trail.
- Riverbend Rise & Reservoir Trails – Difficult 7.8 mile trail with high elevation sections and places where you have to cross the mountain. Spectacular views of the river and valley from above.
- PawPaw Hollow Trail – Also difficult, this 2 mile trail starts with a very steep climb and leads out to the River Bend Rise and Reservoir Trails.
Fishing at Seven Bends State Park
Fish from boat or shore (the river is small and shallow enough for wade angling) and catch bass, sunfish, fallfish and muskellunge. Remember to pick up a Virginia freshwater fishing license ahead of time.
Boating at Seven Bends State Park
Rent or bring your own kayak, canoe or paddle boat and spend a leisurely day on the river. Both access sites within the park have car-top boat launches suitable for canoes and kayaks. You can float from one access site to the other, the two launches are about 3 river miles apart (takes about 1-2 hours to float depending upon river conditions).
Wildlife Viewing at Seven Bends State Park
Shenandoah County is home to some 200 species of birds. During your visit to the area you may see a cardinal, chickadee, wren, robin, bald eagle, hawk, falcon, osprey, wild turkey, owl, ducks and geese. And probably many more.
White-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks and many other mammals also live in this picturesque mountain area.
Pets at Seven Bends State Park
Pets are allowed at Seven Bends State Park but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet, or in an enclosed area. Please clean up after your pet.
Lodging Near at Seven Bends State Park
Seven Bends State Park is a day-use area. So when you are planning a visit you’ll need to decide ahead of time if you’re just visiting for a day or want to spend a few days in the area. And if you’re staying for a few days do you want to camp, stay in your RV, or a cabin, hotel suite or cozy bed & breakfast.
If it’s going to be hot outside during your visit you may want to stay somewhere that has a pool or access to a swimming area. Here are some different options not far from Seven Bends State Park:
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Hampton Inn
1150 Motel Dr, Woodstock
Comfy suites, free breakfast and an indoor pool about 3 miles from Seven Bends State Park. -
Holiday Inn
1130 Motel Dr, Woodstock
Also 3 miles from the park and with comfy rooms, free breakfast and an outdoor pool. -
The Inn at Narrow Passage
30 Chapman Landing Rd, Edinburg
Historic 1740 bed & breakfast that overlooks the Shenandoah River about 4 miles from Seven Bends State Park. -
River Bluff Farm Bed & Breakfast
183 Quicksburg Mill Ln, New Market
Cozy rooms, free breakfast in a log and timber inn that lies on 20 private acres along the Shenandoah River. -
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
2250 US Hwy 211, East Luray
Cabins, yurts, RV and tent camping plus trails, a dog park, mini golf, laser tag, a pool, waterslides and much more are available at this family loved campground.
Attractions Near at Seven Bends State Park
- George Washington & Jefferson National Forests – Explore the Appalachian Trail and camp, picnic, fish, swim, horseback ride and more in the 1.8 million acres adjacent to Seven Bends State Park.
- Shenandoah Caverns – Take a day and explore Virginia’s most beautiful and unique caverns. They have guided tours, gem mining, a playground, cafe and a gift shop.
- Shenandoah Valley Spirits Trail – Discover local wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries.
More Information
Open Daily 6am – Dusk
Park has no contact center, office or visitor center
The park has two entrances:
Hollingsworth (South Entrance) – 2111 S Hollingsworth Rd
Lupton (North Entrance) – 1191 Lupton Rd
Important!
Be aware and respectful – some of the area around the park is private property.
There are no designated swimming areas inside of the park because swimming is hazardous (swift currents, sudden drop-offs and unseen obstructions).
Park Location
Seven Bends State Park
2111 S Hollingsworth Rd
Woodstock, VA 22664
Phone: 800.933.7275
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Seven Bends State Park:
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