Caledon West Side to the Marsh

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This route provides a little bit of everything, wide to narrow paths, typical Virginia forest starting on the right side of the route ending up at a beautiful overlook of the Potomac River. On the way back travel through a marsh to a swamp with an active beaver lodge and a beaver dam that is more than 100 years old that the beavers are still adding to. Lastly connecting to the Potomac Heritage Trail for some difficulty back to the starting point.

State park with a $5 entry fee.

Started from the Nature Playground parking lot on the Fern Hollow Trail connected to the Poplar Grove Trail connected to the Laural Glen Trail connecting to the Benchmark Trail connecting to the Belmont Trail connecting to the Caledon Marsh Trail to an overlook on the Potomac River.

Went back down Caledon Marsh Trail to the Rookery Trail for an additional viewpoint of a marsh area and access to the Potomac River. Moving back at up the Rookery Trail to the Caledon Marsh Trail move along until connecting with the Belmont Trail connecting to the Potomac Heritage Trail ending at the parking lot next to the Nature Playground parking lot.

Some roots on Fern Hollow, Poplar Grove Laural Glen and Benchmark Trail's, overall an easy portion some minor ups and down. Moving back up the Belmont on the return there was a swap area containing smaller winding paths and elevation gains. After passing the swamp the elevation begins to kick in leading to the Potomac Heritage Trail. This was meant to be stroll and we took our time enjoying the nature in front of us.

Typical plants that you would expect to see in a Virginia hardwood forest and marsh areas. Saw deer, eagles, herons, blue birds, yellow sparrows, frogs, toads, 100 year old beaver dam, and an active beaver lodge,