I lovely place to visit is you are in this area. The grounds are extensive. You can drive around the perimeter and stop in designated parking areas, which makes it more manageable to explore all the different parts of the Arboretum in one visit. There is a lively garden near the main building, which was so peaceful to walk through. Wonderful groves of all different kinds of David trees and the bamboo forest should not be missed! It was magical to walk through the tall bamboo. read more

State Arboretum of Virginia - An interesting rock formation area. It stood out as a unique part of the arboretum which mainly features beautiful gardens and tree groves. - Parks Near Me - Boyce, Virginia

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I was late to enjoying the ginkgo garden but it's still beautiful. The facility was clean and organize. read more

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It's amazing after all the years I've lived in and around the Winchester and Fauquier County areas, that I've never visited (BlandyFarm). State Arboretum of Virginia. -It's beautiful. Especially on Nov 1st 2024 when it's just at 80 degrees, wow. The sun was out. There was a slight breeze. The leaves were falling. What a great day! My daughter in law and my grandson came with me today. Area is 100% stroller friendly. Great places to throw down a blanket and have lunch. A couple picnic tables onsite also. Beautiful tress. Beautiful pollination fields. We had a really good time. I know I'll be back. read more

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Last year I arrived slightly too late but this year I'm glad I was right on time for the Gingko grove. Wasn't sure about the parking situation but it turns out there was plenty of room since they used an open field for overflow parking. It was about a 10 minute walk to the actual grove. It was clearly marked and not very strenuous. There were plenty of families and kids. The only drawback is that ginkgoes have a bit of a stench but they were very pretty! read more

State Arboretum of Virginia - Ginkgo Close Up - Parks Near Me - Boyce, Virginia

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The State Arboretum of Virginia has an evil past like many historic sites in Virginia, where America's first enslaved Africans entered. The land was once a plantation that enslaved people before it was willed to the University of Virginia to train students in farming. In the 1980s, it was opened to the public as an arboretum. As you enter the area, you walk through what were likely the slave quarters. Here's what we can do as we visits sites like this with an evil past: -Acknowledge and grieve the evil inflicted on humans by humans -Ask the site to prominently display the history and its impact today so it's not ignored or belittled -Donate to organizations like The Conscious Kid as "admission" Doing all of the above, here's my experience visiting the State Arboretum of Virginia in December 2021: 1) Space: The arboretum is large with a network of trails that weave through forests (including a bamboo forest), gardens, marshland and historic buildings. There are a few lookout areas with binocular stations to see birds and wildlife. 2) Amenities: There's free parking in a lot and admission is free. There are public restrooms open every day and benches throughout the space. Leashed dogs are welcome. They host a number of events, including seed exchanged. There's a Little Free Library by the parking lot. If you go in the morning, drive 16 miles north to Jordan Springs Market, an award-winning, woman-owned BBQ spot inside a gas station market. read more

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Free and open from dusk till dawn. Manageable walk with easy terrain and slight slopes. Plants nicely labeled but not too museum-y. read more

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Beautiful grounds off Hwy 50, just before you reach Winchester VA coming from East! I've passed by it many times and when I finally stopped by I was surprised at how magnificently large gardens and open areas and trails abound this place! It's worth a 40-minute drive from South Riding or an hour drive from DC! There's a souvenir shop, amphitheater and other areas for outdoor gathering and picnics! I will be back during warm weather but even when it was 40 degrees, walking the well-groomed trails were excellent! read more

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Even in winter the State Arboretum is enjoyable, informative and interesting. The trees, shrubs and herbs are marked and who knew there were so many types of boxwoods, or pines, or conifers in the world. At the Arboretum you really should stop and smell (the roses) mother nature along the numerous trails. The driving loop is also scenic and provides an overview of what the place has to offer. Informative signs and posters help describe what the Arboretum has to offer. Well worth an hour or half a day. read more

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Open 365 days a year! Wonderfully labeled and very educational. The perfect place to experience nature and welcome the New Year! Dogs welcome as well. read more

State Arboretum of Virginia - Table Mountain Pine tree - Parks Near Me - Boyce, Virginia

I'm so glad my friends on Yelp had my back! I initially planned to go to Sky Meadows, but a quick Yelp check told me everything I needed to know (out of control tick problem...no thx). Luckily, the State Arboretum of Virginia was down the road, and I'd have never known if it weren't for Yelp! This place is a gem. It's actually owned and operated by UVA, which I was surprised to learn because that's my alma mater and it's nowhere near tiny Boyce, VA. It's free to the public, and when I was there (90 degree July day) there was plenty of parking. There was more than I could see in a few hours, but I was able to walk the outer loop of the perimeter, which is a dirt/gravel road. Technically, cars can drive on it but I only saw two whole time I was there. There are several smaller footpaths and you can see more wildlife if you take them. I saw deer, birds, chipmunks, and butterflies. Some hawks were circling above, too. The buildings and grounds were beautiful and well maintained. If you are looking for some Covid-safe social distancing, this is your place. I only saw one other person walking the whole time I was there. She had two adorable dogs and told me that she frequents the place. Although I was pretty astounded by its beauty, she assured me that it actually usually looks much nicer, and that the floor was a bit dry due to a recent drought. My favorite thing about this Arboretum was how well labeled all of the trees and plants were. Whenever I found myself curious about a species, I could easily look at the sign and read more about it. I was especially interested in the blue China fir, which was truly blue in color. I saw that there was even an option to download an app and listen to a description of certain species. During Covid, the main building is closed, but because of popular demand, they opened the restrooms in Peetwood Pavilion. The sign says that they are being cleaned once a day, so they have plenty of antibacterial wipes and encourage visitors to wipe everything down. I look forward to visiting this beautiful natural treasure throughout every season! It is only an hour from northern Virginia, and Marshall/The Plains are great places to stop for coffee or lunch on your way in and out. read more

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Great walking path. Interesting bamboo forest. Wonderful historic mansion and sad reminder in slave quarters. Great stop on the way to Winchester. read more

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Beautiful place to spend an entire sunny day. This arboretum is HUGE and has everything you'd want in a perfect day outside. Some of these pictures are from the fall when the ginkgo leaves had just fallen. But winter's still a perfect time to bundle up and explore the grounds. read more

This is a great little gem, especially if you love taking pictures. The trails aren't too difficult and the scenery is quite stunning depending on the season. It's also dog friendly as well. My boy dog loves to go on hikes with me and smell the millions of smells he finds every time we go there. There really aren't any accommodations so be sure to bring plenty of water. Other than that, it really is a nice place to go and just get away from the "city" for a couple of hours. read more

Really beautiful scenic grounds. Really enjoyed taking a peaceful drive and stroll around the area. read more

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Best kept secret! We love coming here. The arboretum is full of lovely spaces and trails and roads to walk. There's a HUGE open field that our dog loves to run through. We typically follow up our trips out with a pop by the Paris Apothecary for a snack and beverage. It's a very cute little shop just down the road about 5 minutes in Paris. Check out out! read more

Beautiful grounds. Lots of different places, trees, herbs and flowers. Over 700 acres for you to explore. read more

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During a spontaneous weekend getaway to Winchester, we decided to take a hike at the Blandy Farms State Arboretum. It was a bright summer day- luckily the property wasn't heavily populated. After grabbing maps and getting oriented, we started the hike and stayed on the Maple Trail most of the time which is 2 miles. Beware the maps are not to scale. It was an easy hike since the terrain was pretty flat. I enjoyed the open air, rolling green meadows, and sounds of wildlife although I didn't actually see many animals. I did however see beautiful wildflowers like irises and lilies and stately trees (oaks, maples, and black walnut) with the Blue Ridge Mountains as our backdrop. As we neared the end of the hike, we approached the Stimpson amphitheater then the historic Quarters Building (nicknamed "The Quarters"). The amphitheater is lovely and an ideal place to hold your outdoor wedding ceremony since the area is shielded by evergreens and handcrafted stone walls. The Quarters offers a certain charm as well. We took time to sit in the courtyard and reflect on our ancestors. I'm looking forward to visiting again during the Fall and Spring as each season offers a different mood and natural beauty to behold. read more

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I need to come back and take photo's of this place. The pup and I were on our way to HH in Winchester, when we saw a sign for the State Arboretum of Virginia. We had no idea what a Arboretum was, but we later found out, it meant garden. This is a free activity that you can do with your children, on a date or even with your puppy. The puppy and I went to stretch our legs on the long drive, and possibly play some pokemon go, lol. They have parking for bus's and a normal parking. There was a herb garden and a bushed archway that takes you into the main garden. There were name signatures for every plant and even plaques with information every 100ish feet. I will have to come back without the phone to really take in all of the gardens that are on the property. From what I saw on my 30 min walk with the pup, it was gorgeous! read more

Perfect place to watch the seasons come and go in nature's way. Beautiful in spring, summer, and fall. Never the same. Saw the 10-year cicada hatch up close this year. Very cool. Lots of walking paths and diversity. read more

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Great walking place, lots of animals. We have seen lots deer with their young, a whole bunch of different birds, rabbits, squirrels, ext. We are hoping to get a glance at bear and maybe a bald eagle one day while we are there. read more

What a gorgeous hidden gem. I drove by after a nearby hike and stumbled across this arboretum and decided to stop in. I'm so glad I did - I've been back once more since and find this place to be a haven and retreat from city life. There is so much to see, it's great for photographers, there are walking trails, etc. Parking isn't an issue and I believe most of the offerings are free or low-cost. It's very family-friendly as well. What a great way to spend an afternoon! read more

This is an excellent place to explore the native plants and trees of Virginia. They have multiple trails to walk and drive on which over several acres of beautiful scenery. The best part about this place is that it is FREE! We visited in early September so the flowers and trees weren't exactly in the best bloom but it was still a pleasant walk. I can only imagine how pretty it will look during the peak Spring and Fall seasons. The amount of nature that exists here is plentiful and this includes animals too. They have several areas to see which include an herb garden, pollination garden, community garden, meadows picnic/learning pavilion and a learning center. Each area as informational signs or pamphlets to help you understand the area you are in or near. Make sure you check the informational board at the main parking area. They have various activities to offer including seasonal related events to attend. One thing that I really like is that you can bring your dog and let them run off leash. Please note that they do have to be on leash within 200ft of the various buildings. This is an excellent place to spend time with family, take nice pictures, get some exercise or just take in the local nature. And it's all for free. However donations are appreciated so please consider helping preserve this beautiful location. *The arboretum is gun carry friendly. read more

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Blandy is a great place to enjoy some time outdoors. Nice trails and opportunity to explore off trail. Wonderful trees and gardens. A popular spot for birders and dog walkers. They offer many education programs throughout the year. A local gem for sure! read more

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Wow! What a wonderful place to visit. Free, open, spacious, we'll-kept. The ginkgo grove was especially magnificent and so close by.

Visited November 2020. Great day for a hike and to explore the vast variety of plant and wildlife. Great resource for student field trips and pet friendly. read more

I've been here three times now, two times during the Mother's Day plant sale. The other time Husband and I brought a picnic and ate under the open air building by the Dogwood trail. I've never been to another arboretum, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but since Husband is an outdoorsy guy and he loves it, I figure it's pretty good. He loves this place. I enjoy it too, but I never seem to be properly dressed to go here. I'm in the wrong shoes, or too hot, or just generally uncomfortable. Not anything wrong with the place, obviously it's just outdoors, but clearly I have an issue with dressing my adult self. There are many different species of everything from the obvious trees, beautiful flowers, to birds and insects. If you're walking through the pine trees, watch out for the tons of spiders that live between the trees. I almost got one to the face. Ugh. The Quarters area is beautiful, and I love the old brick. There are 3 bathrooms (1 male, 1 female, 1 unisex) and while there's normally a line of women, it moves quickly. These bathrooms are in serious need of an update, if nothing else than to install a full paper towel container, or a hand dryer. There's also bathrooms at the pavilion area where we had the picnic (2 unisex). These are beautiful for outdoor bathrooms - clean, white interior, new toilet and sinks, and plenty of towels and soap. The plant sale is unique and has a lot of beautiful things to buy, both living and products. We never buy anything since we don't have a garden, but like to walk through and dream. The $10 fee to park during this weekend is definitely worth it, and we're happy to donate. I marked that it's good for kids, but not necessarily good for teenagers (I'm being facetious). On our walk yesterday I heard a teenager remark to his mother (on Mother's Day, mind you) that this place was a "hillbilly grass farm" and was "f**ing boring." He was like, 14. And totally not cool. But, you know, maybe he'd had enough of the trails. I'm just sayin'. read more

This is not a park by my definition. It fell flat from everything I had hoped it would be. As you can see, I have no photos. And I'm a wanna-be photog most of the time, especially as it pertains to nature. But there was nothing to see here... It's good for non-serious hikers. And for camping. But as this was my second visit in a completely different season, I was still unimpressed and felt like I could be left for dead in the woods. Cause that's what this is...the woods. read more

If you are Outsy person, this place is for you. Sprawled in 700 acres, this park features diversified habitat of wild flowers, trees, wild life and birds. They have driving, walking and equestrian trail. Very good for spending weekend with kids and see birds in action. Wild life includes spotting deer, turtles and lots of birds. Don't forget to bring your binoculars and a bird book. Bring in some trail mix too, if you go jogging or a long walk. read more

My uncle used to volunteer here at the Blandy Experimental Farm so my aunt though it would be cool for me to see this place. We drove out on a cold and windy Tuesday morning. There is a visitor's center in the front located in a building that used to be used as slave quarters. On the left side of the driveway is the herb garden which looked pretty bleak right after winter was transitioning into spring at the beginning of April. There is a graphic display with lots of brochures to inform you of ongoing programs and the park itself next to a small parking lot. We took the drive through the sprawling property. Experiments are marked as to not disturb them throughout. I liked how the land was associated to the farm that was still in use. They have a dogwood forest and a ginko tree patch that's supposed to have fantastic color in the fall, but in winter, these trees were pretty bare. It also has an area where you can take your horse out for exercise... the equivalent of the coveted dog park in California. read more

Great for hiking around the trails. Other than that it's pretty dead and dull. Was hoping the lake would be pretty but one was just reeds and the other was bone dry. Our dog had a great time running around, but we humans were left wishing for more unfortunately. read more

This is a decent sized arboretum which we visited on our way to Shenandoah NPS. You can easily do this within a couple of hours and not too far from the nearest city of Winchester, VA. read more

Excellent park to visit, there's a nice little hike that you can take around the grounds. Dogs are allowed off leash in most areas, and there's a gorgeous variety of plants. I'm definitely making a return trip in the autumn to see the ginko trees change color! read more

Had never heard of the place and passing by when I saw the sign and decided to check it out. What a nice hidden gem. Loved the boxwood garden and walking the native plant trail. Heard lots of frogs in one of the ponds but never caught sight of them. Lots of benches spread throughout the property to slow down and enjoy the environment. read more

A much smaller area than the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, it's possible to see the entire arboretum in a couple of hours or less. The scenery is beautiful. Pets are welcome and can be off-leash except in the parking area and near buildings, which is a big plus for us. The drive from the western suburbs is about an hour, through scenic Virginia horse country. Very pleasant experience! read more

I happened to be in the area on business, saw the signs for the arboretum along the highway, and since I was in no rush to get home right away (a 2 hour drive), I thought I'd check it out. I didn't get to spend a lot of time, but picked up one of their brochures and looked around a little bit. They have a cute little gift shop which I believe I will spend more time in on my next visit. One thing that I LOVED is that the entire park is dog friendly, and as long as you're not too close to the roads you can let your canine friend run free....yes, OFF LEASH! And this isn't just some fenced in box that someone called a dog park....this is a real, honest to goodness nature preserve in which your pooch can run and walk freely. LOVE IT! I will definitely be back when the weather is a bit warmer for a day trip with my four legged buddy. read more

My favorite part of this place is the demo herb garden. It is right by the parking lot. I always get a bunch of ideas for things to plant whenever we visit. There's nothing quite like seeing an herb covered in bees happily munching on pollen. Other than that, this is a nice, low key, off the beaten path type of place. read more

What a great day! Walked through Dogwood lane and found a nice, open field away from the buildings to let our dog frolick leash-free (a real treat for a city-dog). Back on leash for a walk through the native VA plant trail, up through the Pollinator Garden, past the small coi and turtle pond and out through the Main Quarters. Clean bathrooms a Super A+, since we were there on a holiday weekend there were no lines whatsoever. A fragrant walk through the Herb Garden brought us back to our car (free parking!), and we took a quick drive around the whole park again via Loop Drive to see what we didn't catch on foot. Just lovely. read more

We went to the annual festival. They had a nice variety of vendors and a few food tents. My son enjoyed the pulled pork nachos at the BBQ tent but I thought it had way too much cheese. The car traffic wasn't too bad but they mismanaged it as best they could to frustrate both pedestrians and drivers. They wouldn't let us exit right where we were and instead had to circle through the entire parking lot and back through the center of the pedestrian walkway. read more

I buy plants example i see hear for my landscappin.. this place is good, lot of varity and good prize. Dont miss to go this place

Don't miss this place. I almost hate to write a review cause I don't want anyone else going. Open 365 days a year dusk to dawn, free admission, this is one of Virginia's most beautiful spots. I love that although it's well maintained its left to you to stick on a trail or just wander the huge grounds. There are benches & signs throughout, but not too many. There's an herb garden, a boxwood collection, evergreen area, and so many beautiful trees to check out. PERFECT picnic place- if you prefer a picnic table there a plenty, or just bring a blanket and you're sure to find a great spot. Please note there are restrooms & trashcans, but there is only a small gift shop that sells just that -gifts. You will need to bring your own water & be sure to wear comfy walking shoes and sunblock & maybe even a hat- although there are lots of trees there are lots of open areas & it can heat up pretty quickly. They also have the most amazing plant sale over Mother's Day weekend that you cannot miss. They do charge admission(by the carload at least), but it's sooooo worth it. read more