BIG BLUE TRAIL MAP VIRGINIA

This trail originated as an alternate route to the Appalachian Trail. The Big Blue begins at an intersection with the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, and runs north to Hancock, Maryland, where it connects with the C & O Tow-path and Tuscarora Trails.

Difficulty ranges from easy to strenuous. Some of the terrain is mountainous and rugged, offering challenging backpacking. At other times the trail follows old country roads. A sizable portion of the Virginia section is in George Washington National Forest, with other parts on private land.

Camping Regulations: Camping and campfires are allowed almost anywhere along the trail when it’s on National Forest lands. A permit is required for Shenandoah National Park, where special camping rules apply (see the Shenandoah National Park entry page 284).

When the trail is on private lands, camping is restricted to authorized sites. A couple of trail shelters and some regular campgrounds are also available along the way. Virginia law specifies that between March 1 and May 15 each year, campfires are allowed only between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight.

For Further Information: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 718 N Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036. The Big BlueA Trail Guide is available from this address.

VIRGINIA CAMPING RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS WHICH OFFER WILDERNESS CAMPING TRIPS

Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, P.O. Box 3012, Lynchburg, VA 24503. This Appalachian

Trail club sponsors an occasional backpacking trip.

Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club, P.O. Box 25283, Richmond, VA 23260. The Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club offers some backpacking and canoe-camping trips each season.

Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club, P.O. Box 8246, Norfolk, VA 23503. This club schedules a Seminar for Beginner Backpackers two to three times each year.

USEFUL GUIDEBOOKS

Appalachian Trail Guide: Central and Southern VirginiaHarpers Ferry, WV: The Appalachian Trail Conference, 1988.

Appalachian Trail Guide: Shenandoah National ParkHarpers Ferry, WV: The Appalachian Trail Conference, 1986.

Appalachian Trail Guide to Maryland and Northern Virginia Harpers Ferry, WV: The Appalachian Trail Conference, 1989.

The Big BlueA Trail GuideWashington, DC: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 1987.

Hiker’s Guide to VirginiaJohnson, Randy. Helena, MT: Falcon Press.

Hiking Virginia’s National ForestsWuertz-Schaefer, Karin. Old Saybrook, CT: The Globe Pequot Press.

Hiking the Old Dominion: The Trails of Virginiade Hart, Allen. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1984.

INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPGROUNDS IN STATE

PARKS

Virginia State Parks, 203 Governor Street, Suite 306, Richmond, VA 23219; (804)786-1712.

STATE HIGHWAY MAP AND TRAVEL INFORMATION