Things You'll Need:
- Good walking shoes
- Light jacket
- Bicycle
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Camera
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Step 1
Stop at the visitor center and seek out a volunteer or a ranger to assist you in getting acclimated to the park. Brochures and maps allow for excellent planning. Also, there are books to purchase that describe the history of Native Americans, the early settlers and the natural environment in relationship to the park.
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Step 2
Take the scenic drive and stop at Parking Area A. This allows you access to both the South Valley and the Turkey Run trailheads. The South Valley Trail follows a creekbed, and the Turkey Run Trail climbs a ridge up to the ranger station. There are few elevation issues at the park, and all the trails are easy to moderate. They vary in length up to eight miles. The park offers 16 hiking trails.
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Step 3
Return to the vehicle and continue beyond Parking Area C where the Scenic Drive Loop divides. Veer right to Parking Area D. The drive becomes one-way at this point, and a bicycle lane has been created. The lane continues for three miles to the Oak Ridge Campground turnoff. The lane offers a pleasant bicycle ride over rolling terrain, requiring little effort in pedaling.
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Step 4
On your bike, opt to leave the bicycle lane at any one of the dirt roads along the drive. North Orenda, Pyrite Mine, Burma and Lake One roads are all closed to vehicular traffic, allowing the rider the brief experience of off-road biking. The road is graveled with sharp rock, so racing bikes are not recommended. The Lake One Road is approximately a mile in length and ends at Quantico Creek. The creek has been dammed, thus creating a refreshing body of water.
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Step 5
Return to the vehicle and continue the Scenic Drive around to Parking Area G. Look for deer or wild turkey crossing the road at any time. Stop at Area G and bicycle down Mawavi Road toward the south fork of Quantico Creek. Occasionally the silence of the forest will be broken by the awkward flight of turkeys leaving their perch from nearby trees. This flight will shake the tree to its base, and the bird's lumbering descent appears ill-conceived and dangerous, but upon landing, the turkey composes itself and struts through the foliage. The size of these wild birds is impressive.
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Step 6
Park the bicycle at the creek crossing and walk the High Meadows Trail toward the left, or southeast. This trail follows the bank of a second dammed lake reservoir for approximately a mile. Note the rustic cabins across the lake.
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Step 7
Return to the vehicle and finish the Scenic Drive back to the visitor center and the park's exit.
