Shared by Corie Smith, Virginia Master Naturalist, Central Rappahannock Chapter, as Guest Blogger.

Winter’s crisp temperatures call for cozy days spent indoors under a blanket, sipping a warm drink, perhaps near a comforting fire. To head outdoors is usually just a fast errand and quickly back home to slide into warm slippers.

If you spend all of the cold season indoors though, you’ll miss out on the beauty, life, and calm of the winter woods at Caledon State Park.

Experience the beauty of winter woods at Caledon State Park

Meander down Boyd's Hole Trail

Life is happening here, the forest offers a sense of rest and renewing

The view through the naked trees is vastly different when compared to the lush summer woods. The glowing beech trees are easy to spot amid their bare neighborhood and the white trunks of the sycamore stand out as a showstopper. It’s a whole new world to walk through. Stripped and bare, the forest offers a sense of rest and renewing.

Geese fly over the foggy marsh

Follow Boyd’s Hole Trail (PDF) down to the Triangle Field, veer left to hike Rookery Spur Trail down to Caledon Marsh Trail and you’ll have a clear view of the eagle’s nest across the way.

If you have good timing, you may even spot an eagle or two. The geese gather in abundance down below the outlook point and you can hear the call of woodpeckers. Stand still and witness a group of squirrels scurrying along tree branches in a winter game of chase.

There’s still life happening inside this little cold wooded world.

Look close to see the forest is still alive

Look up, look down. The fungi are busy. They are everywhere and it’s a wonder to see them at work while most of the forest is at rest.

Beauty abounds all around. Don’t miss out on the glorious nakedness of the park. Bundle up and breathe in the crisp winter air. Go to the woods. Beauty, life, and rest await you.

BIO

Corie Smith is a volunteer with the Central Rappahannock Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, and a proud homeschool mom of three.