Sweet Run State Park Dedication Media Kit

Sweet Run State Park features views of the Blue Ridge Mountains with the Sweet Run and Piney Run streams bisecting the property. The park, steeped in history, has 11 miles of hiking and 9 miles of equestrian trails along streams, through mature forest, meadows and mountain-side terrain.

At a glance:

884 acres
One picnic pavilion
Nature play area
11 miles of hiking trails
9 miles of equestrian trails
Hike-in fishing on Gordon Pond

Sweet Run State Park
11661 Harpers Ferry Road
Hillsboro, VA 20132
Phone: 540-668-6230
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sweet-run

Sweet Run State Park is located in Loudoun County, approximately four miles from Harpers Ferry, WV.

History

In 1999, the Robert and Dee Leggett Foundation purchased nearly 900 acres of woodlands and farmland on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountain. The property was named the Blue Ridge for Environmental Stewardship and a non-profit was formed to manage the land for the Foundation. Jointly, they conserved and stewarded the property’s natural and cultural resources, encouraged public access and recreation, provided environmental education opportunities and supported organic-like agriculture. Between 2018 and 2022, the Foundation donated the property to Virginia State Parks. In 2022, funding was appropriated to begin its transformation into Sweet Run State Park. On May 26, 2023, Virginia State Parks officially assumed management of the property.

Amenities

Day-use area

The park has one trail shelter located on the Farmstead Loop Trail. The shelter is a quarter-mile hike from the nearest parking lot at the park’s main entrance.

Fishing

The park offers hike-in fishing at Gordon Pond. Fishing requires an approximate 1-mile hike from the nearest parking area at the end of Arnold Lane. Fish species in the pond include sunfish, largemouth bass, and crappie.

Hiking and Equestrian Trails

The property includes eleven miles of hiking and 9 miles of equestrian trails along streams, through mature forest, meadows, and mountain-side terrain. Trails can be accessed from the park’s main entrance, as well as at the ends of Arnold Lane and Sawmill Lane.

Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

Park Leadership

Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources: Travis Voyles
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Director: Matthew Wells
Virginia State Parks Director: Dr. Melissa Baker
Eastern Field Operations Director: Tim Shrader
Potomac District Manager: Ken Benson
Park Manager: Kevin Bowman

Additional Resources

Please use the credit line "Photo courtesy of Virginia State Parks".

Dedication video

To request additional information, contact:

Dave Neudeck
Public Communications and Marketing Director
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
804-786-5053, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov

or

Kim Wells
Public Relations and Marketing Specialist
Virginia State Parks
804-217-1077, kim.wells@dcr.virginia.gov