Connect the river to the ridgetop. Create a trail connection from Seven Bends State Park from the North Fork of the Shenandoah River up to Massanutten Mountain and the George Washington National Forest.
National Trails Day · Saturday, June 6
River to Ridgetop: Seven Bends Trail Ribbon Cutting
Join us for a full day celebrating the River to Ridgetop trail connection from Seven Bends State Park toward Massanutten Mountain and the George Washington National Forest. Help put final touches on the new trail at 10:00 AM, then gather for the ribbon cutting at 2:00 PM by the Lupton Pavilion in front of the barn.
After years of planning, partnership, grant work, design, construction, and community support, the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition is excited to celebrate the opening of the River to Ridgetop trail project at Seven Bends State Park.
This project creates a more sustainable and welcoming trail connection from the North Fork of the Shenandoah River at Seven Bends State Park up toward Massanutten Mountain and the George Washington National Forest.
A Trail Connection from River to Ridgetop
Seven Bends State Park is one of the Shenandoah Valley’s special places: a landscape shaped by the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, close to the Town of Woodstock, and connected to the broader public lands of Massanutten Mountain and the George Washington National Forest.
The River to Ridgetop project helps make that connection more visible, more sustainable, and more accessible.
Phase One of the project includes:
- 3.3 miles of new dirt singletrack trail
- 0.65 miles of new gravel trail
- A more sustainable trail connection replacing legacy and social routes
- A stronger link between Seven Bends State Park and nearby National Forest trail opportunities
- New opportunities for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, exploring, and connecting with public lands close to town
This is the kind of trail investment our region needs more of: close to communities, connected to public land, built with long-term stewardship in mind, and designed to welcome more people into the outdoors.
Photos from the New Trail
The new River to Ridgetop connection brings together sustainable trail construction, beautiful forested terrain, and a stronger link between Seven Bends State Park and the George Washington National Forest.
Why This Project Matters
The Shenandoah Valley is surrounded by extraordinary public lands, but access is not always simple, clear, or welcoming.
The River to Ridgetop project helps change that at Seven Bends.
By improving the trail connection between the park and the George Washington National Forest, this project creates a clearer pathway into the landscape for local residents, families, visitors, new trail users, and longtime outdoor enthusiasts.
It also shows what is possible when state parks, federal land managers, local partners, contractors, donors, volunteers, and community organizations work together around a shared vision for trails, access, and stewardship.
Join Us on Saturday, June 6
We’ll gather at Seven Bends State Park for a full day celebrating the new River to Ridgetop trail connection.
10:00 AM — Volunteer Trail Work Day
Help us put the final touches on the new trail before the ribbon cutting. Volunteers should meet at 10:00 AM and park at the Riverbend Rise Trailhead.
Please bring water, sturdy shoes, work gloves if you have them, and clothes you do not mind getting dirty.
2:00 PM — Ribbon Cutting
The ribbon cutting will take place at 2:00 PM by the Lupton Pavilion in front of the barn.
The ribbon cutting is free and open to the public. Come celebrate the new trail, thank the partners who made it possible, and help mark this next chapter for Seven Bends State Park and the George Washington National Forest.
Also Happening at Seven Bends That Day
The River to Ridgetop ribbon cutting is happening during a full afternoon of activity at Seven Bends State Park.
Official Seven Bends State Park Event
Seven Bends State Park has listed the ribbon cutting as part of its official event programming for Saturday, June 6. The ribbon cutting will take place at 2:00 PM by the Lupton Pavilion in front of the barn.
View the official DCR event details.
North Fork Fest
North Fork Fest is also happening at Seven Bends State Park on Saturday, June 6, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. The festival includes live music, food, drinks, games, and a full afternoon at the park.
North Fork Fest is a separately ticketed event hosted by Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.
Thank You to the Partners Who Made This Possible
This project represents years of persistence, collaboration, and investment. We are grateful to the many partners who helped bring the River to Ridgetop vision to life, including:
- Seven Bends State Park
- The Lee Ranger District of the George Washington National Forest
- Virginia DCR, through Recreational Trails Program support
- Frazier Quarry, for donated stone
- Black Diamond Design, for building the gravel trail
- Appalachian Dirt, for building the singletrack trail
Thank you to everyone who helped make this new trail connection possible.
Help Support the Next Chapter of Seven Bends Trails
The ribbon cutting is a major milestone, but it is not the end of the story. The Coalition is continuing to work toward better trail connections at Seven Bends, Massanutten Mountain, and the George Washington National Forest.
Your support helps us plan, build, maintain, and advocate for trails that connect people and places across the Shenandoah Valley.
See You at Seven Bends
We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, June 6 — first at 10:00 AM to help put the final touches on the trail, then at 2:00 PM by the Lupton Pavilion in front of the barn as we celebrate a new connection from river to ridgetop.
