Seven Bends State Park: Eagles Edge/Gokotta Loop (Blog Hike #968)

Trails: Eagles Edge and Gokotta Trails
Hike Location: Seven Bends State Park
Geographic Location: east of Woodstock, VA (38.87118, -78.49341)
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: September 2023
Overview: A loop hike featuring the Shenandoah River and old Camp Lupton.
Park Information: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/seven-bends
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=947386
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming November 8)

Directions to the trailhead: In northern Virginia, take I-81 to SR 42 (exit 283).  Exit and go east on SR 42.  Where SR 42 ends at US 11, continue east 2 more blocks to Water Street and turn left on Water St.  Drive Water St. north 6 blocks to Hollingsworth Road and turn right on Hollingsworth Rd.  Drive Hollingsworth Rd. east 0.5 miles to Lupton Road and turn right on Lupton Rd.  Drive narrow and winding Lupton Rd. downhill and across a low water bridge over the Shenandoah River to the large gravel parking lot on the right.  Park here.  If water covers the bridge, do not attempt to access this trailhead; save this hike for another day.

The hike: Opening only in 2019, Seven Bends State Park is one of the newest state parks in Virginia.  The park gets its name from the Seven Bends region of the North Fork Shenandoah River, which winds its way in serpentine fashion through northern Virginia and into the Potomac River.  The river forms the park's west boundary, and Powell Mountain in George Washington National Forest borders the park to the east.  Thus, this park has a secluded feel even though it sits just outside of Woodstock, a small city.

            Seven Bends State Park offers no lodging, and fishing and paddling are the most popular day-use activities here.  For hikers, the park offers 8 miles of trails that explore the park's riverside and blufftop areas.  I came here on a morning when I had a long drive that afternoon, so I needed to keep my hike short and easy.  The route described here fits that bill, but it does so by exploring the park's riverside areas, blufftop areas, and possibly this park's most interesting historical area.

Start of Eagles Edge Trail

            From the parking lot, head west on a two-track gravel road with the park's picnic area on the right and an active soybean field on the left.  The Eagles Edge Trail is marked with blue signs bearing the trail's name and a blue square.  An interpretive sign near the trailhead tells about the history of this land during colonial times, which includes such famous figures as King Charles II of England and Lord Fairfax.

Hiking beside the soybean field

            At the west end of the soybean field, you reach the bank of the North Fork Shenandoah River for the first time.  A swinging bridge crosses the river and leads to private property, so you want to turn left to stay on the Eagles Edge Trail.  Now with a dirt treadway, the wide trail traces the west side of the soybean field.  The river is only a few feet to the right, but dense brush precludes any river views.

Asphalt slab from old Camp Lupton

            At 0.4 miles, you reach the southeast corner of the soybean field and an odd asphalt slab.  An interpretive sign tells you this slab is a remnant of the former Camp Lupton, a summer camp for boys that operated here in the late 1930's.  To see more of the former camp, keep following the Eagles Edge Trail as it climbs moderately to reach a collection of old chimneys and foundations from former camp buildings.  A pioneer cemetery also sits atop this bluff; it predates the camp and has headstones dating to the early 1800's.  Take a few minutes up here to read the numerous interpretive signs and appreciate the history of this land.

Former Camp Lupton

Pioneer cemetery

            The trail exits the historic area by heading downhill to the northeast.  At 0.6 miles, you reach the end of the Eagles Edge Trail where it intersects gated gravel Lupton Road.  You could turn left here to hike a loop that is less than 1 mile in length, but this hike turns right to start following the gravel road and head deeper into the park.

            The road heads east through the center of a peninsula between Shenandoah River bends.  A sunny grassy field lines the road, and fantastic views of Powell Mountain to the east can be had while walking the gravel road.  Also, some birdhouses built near the road enhance the bird watching, and I saw some woodpeckers, finches, and Canada geese while I hiked this trail.

Hiking on Lupton Road

            Ignore the River Bend Rise Trail that exits right; it heads over a steep arm of Powell Mountain to reach this park's other developed area.  At 1.2 miles, you reach the start of the Gokotta Trail, which goes left.  Turn left to begin the Gokotta Trail and begin your journey back to the trailhead.

Hiking the Gokotta Trail

            The Gokotta Trail stays near the North Fork Shenandoah River for most of its distance, and soon you reach the best view of the river.  If the water is clear enough, you can see folds in the bedrock at the river's bottom, evidence of the tectonic action that formed Powell Mountain to the east.  A bench encourages you to sit, rest, and enjoy the scenery.

North Fork Shenandoah River

            Continuing northwest, the trail stays near the boundary between grassy field on the left and riverside woodlands on the right.  Black walnut and sycamore trees are the most numerous trees in this riparian forest.  After passing the park headquarters, you come out at the park entrance road across from the main parking lot, thus closing the loop.  Cross the road to return to your car and complete the hike.