Shared by Brody Dawson, as Guest Blogger.

Staunton River State Park

Sometimes exercising at home or a gym can feel confining. If you feel you need a breath of fresh air from your workout routine, come on over to Staunton River State Park to revitalize your exercise regimen.

To enhance the variety of recreational activities provided at Staunton River State Park, the .25-mile Fitness Trail (PDF) has been revitalized to keep bodies moving, hearts pumping and people happy.

The history of the Fitness Trail

Pull-up bar before and after

The Fitness Trail, which parallels the Caption Staunton Trail, was constructed in 2018 with help from the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew that was stationed at the park, park ranger interns and park staff. Everyone involved helped plan, design and build the fitness stations on the trail.

To blend with the natural surroundings, each station was constructed (almost) completely from wood.

After nearly six years of use and weather exposure, some of the wood elements started to rot and become unsafe, so the park invested in new commercial-grade equipment. 

In 2024, rangers replaced several wood elements and reworked portions of the trail to improve drainage, creating a better experience for visitors and ensuring the Fitness Trail will last for years to come.

Ladder climb before and after

Using the Fitness Trail

There are more than 10 stations along the Fitness Trail. Each one gets you moving and targets various muscles in your legs, back and arms to keep the workout fresh and interesting. A short jog from one station to the next keeps your heart rate up and boosts your cardio workout.

And for those who are more casual with their exercise routines, don’t worry. The Fitness Trail is designed to be utilized by all levels of athleticism. You can approach each activity at your own pace and there’s no right or wrong way to interact with each station.

As someone who has personally used the fitness trail at Staunton River on multiple occasions for exercise, no run through the trail is the same. Do what’s best for you and have fun with it.

New stations along the Fitness Trail

The Fitness Trail is open during normal park hours from dawn to dusk, and parking fees apply. For directions or to learn more about Staunton River State Park, click here.