Woodstock Tower Hike - Scout Eric Adventures
- last year
History
Don’t miss the opportunity to take in the grand views from the Woodstock Tower! In 1935, the historical structure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps with the material provided by the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce. The tower offers views of the beautiful Seven Bends in the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.
Directions
From I-66: Take the Front Royal exit 6. Turn south on US 340/522 towards the town of Front Royal. Turn right on VA 55 West to the community of Waterlick. Turn left onto SR 678 South and continue to the community of Detrick. Turn right onto SR 758 (Woodstock Tower Road) for approximately four miles to the top of the mountain. The footpath to the tower is on left.
From Woodstock, VA: Take exit 283 of I-81. Go east on Route 42 for .7 mile. Turn left on Route 11 and continue 1.7 miles. Turn east on SR 665 at the north end of the town of Woodstock. Continue on SR 665 (1.5 mile) until you come to a Stop Sign. Turn left onto SR 758 (2 miles). Woodstock Tower will be on your right. The footpath to the tower is on left.
Hike
The hike up to Woodstock Tower is an easy 2.0 mile out/back walk suitable for most people, and the 360° panoramic view from the top of the tower is one of the best in the Massanutten range. On a clear day you can see south towards Harrisonburg and the town of Woodstock just across the other side of the south fork of the Shenandoah River. The views west are of the north fork of the Shenandoah River, and to the east you look back through Woodstock Gap to the Shenandoah National Park.
If you're hiking with very young children, or hikers who are just starting out and may not be in the best shape yet, you can also park on the ridge at the pink blazed Tower Trail, which makes for a very easy 10 minute walk to the tower with no elevation gain. Note: Tower Rd from VA758 is closed in the winter.
Mile 0.0 - From the parking area in the Little Fort Camping/Recreation area start up the white blazed Wagon Rd/Nature Trail and in 0.1 miles cross the wide yellow 'V' blazed Peters Mill Run Trail. Be cautious, as the Peters Mill Run Trail is open to ATV's. The white blazed Wagon Rd/Nature Trail is one of the few trails in the Woodstock Gap area that is closed to motorized vehicles.
Mile 0.1 - After crossing the yellow 'V' blazed trail, continue on the white blazed trail as it becomes slightly steeper before making the first of two switchbacks in 0.1 miles. After the next switchback in another 0.3 miles, the trail is at it's steepest for the remaining 0.2 miles to the ridge and intersection of the pink blazed Tower Trail.
Mile 0.95 - Turn left on the pink blazed Tower Trail and follow it along the ridge for 150 yards to Woodstock Tower. Woodstock Tower is one of the few in GWNF where you are still permitted to climb to the observation deck.
Mile 1.0 - Retrace your route back to the Little Fort Camping/Recreation area.
Music Provided by Bensound.com
Don’t miss the opportunity to take in the grand views from the Woodstock Tower! In 1935, the historical structure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps with the material provided by the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce. The tower offers views of the beautiful Seven Bends in the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.
Directions
From I-66: Take the Front Royal exit 6. Turn south on US 340/522 towards the town of Front Royal. Turn right on VA 55 West to the community of Waterlick. Turn left onto SR 678 South and continue to the community of Detrick. Turn right onto SR 758 (Woodstock Tower Road) for approximately four miles to the top of the mountain. The footpath to the tower is on left.
From Woodstock, VA: Take exit 283 of I-81. Go east on Route 42 for .7 mile. Turn left on Route 11 and continue 1.7 miles. Turn east on SR 665 at the north end of the town of Woodstock. Continue on SR 665 (1.5 mile) until you come to a Stop Sign. Turn left onto SR 758 (2 miles). Woodstock Tower will be on your right. The footpath to the tower is on left.
Hike
The hike up to Woodstock Tower is an easy 2.0 mile out/back walk suitable for most people, and the 360° panoramic view from the top of the tower is one of the best in the Massanutten range. On a clear day you can see south towards Harrisonburg and the town of Woodstock just across the other side of the south fork of the Shenandoah River. The views west are of the north fork of the Shenandoah River, and to the east you look back through Woodstock Gap to the Shenandoah National Park.
If you're hiking with very young children, or hikers who are just starting out and may not be in the best shape yet, you can also park on the ridge at the pink blazed Tower Trail, which makes for a very easy 10 minute walk to the tower with no elevation gain. Note: Tower Rd from VA758 is closed in the winter.
Mile 0.0 - From the parking area in the Little Fort Camping/Recreation area start up the white blazed Wagon Rd/Nature Trail and in 0.1 miles cross the wide yellow 'V' blazed Peters Mill Run Trail. Be cautious, as the Peters Mill Run Trail is open to ATV's. The white blazed Wagon Rd/Nature Trail is one of the few trails in the Woodstock Gap area that is closed to motorized vehicles.
Mile 0.1 - After crossing the yellow 'V' blazed trail, continue on the white blazed trail as it becomes slightly steeper before making the first of two switchbacks in 0.1 miles. After the next switchback in another 0.3 miles, the trail is at it's steepest for the remaining 0.2 miles to the ridge and intersection of the pink blazed Tower Trail.
Mile 0.95 - Turn left on the pink blazed Tower Trail and follow it along the ridge for 150 yards to Woodstock Tower. Woodstock Tower is one of the few in GWNF where you are still permitted to climb to the observation deck.
Mile 1.0 - Retrace your route back to the Little Fort Camping/Recreation area.
Music Provided by Bensound.com