Graves Mill Trail

Let's go for a Fall hike along the Rapidan River on the Graves Mill Trail!

The Graves Mill community is named for the Thomas and Sarah Dulaney Graves family, who settled here in the 1700s and built a gristmill. Early on, tobacco and flour were taken to Fredericksburg and shipped to foreign and domestic ports. In the late 1800s, apples and other products were shipped to train depots at Gordonsville or Somerset. The area once contained three general stores, two churches, schools, blacksmith shops, a post office, and of course, a gristmill. Be sure to check out the Graves Mill Historical Park on your way to/from the hike!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the trailhead at the Shenandoah National Park Graves Mill Boundary Access, we'll follow the Graves Mill Trail upstream along the Upper Rapidan River, crossing over it in several places. At the Rapidan Valley Fire Road we'll turn around and retrace our steps to the trailhead.
• This is a moderate difficulty out-and-back hike, 4.4 miles, with about 463 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well marked and fairly easy going, but there are two shallow river crossings. Plan for around 3 hours, and plan to get your feet wet.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/y4yvvkkk

❷ How to get there:

• The address of the trailhead is Graves Mill Boundary Access, Graves Rd, Madison, VA 22727, GPS = 38.43709, -78.36703, https://goo.gl/maps/j2dq9LPiy7HfLAUa9
• From the Capital Beltway (either direction), the drive is about 78 miles and should take around an hour and a half. Take I-66 W, follow I-66 W and US-29 S to VA-230 W in Madison County. Continue on VA-230 W. Take State Rte 662 to Graves Rd. The parking area and meetup point are at the end of Graves Road. There is space for about 12 cars in the parking area, plus maybe a dozen more parallel parked along the road outside the sign marked "No parking past this sign." (Obviously risky, but I didn't see anyone getting towed when I reconnoitered.) See https://goo.gl/maps/bueU7ZuCEXbKtJb36
• Abby and I will be driving direct from Stafford, so please coordinate carpooling as desired in the comments section. A good carpooling spot would be the Vienna Metro North Parking Area, 9486 Virginia Center Blvd, Vienna, VA 22181. Parking is free on weekends.

❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes with some tread on them, snacks, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended, and maybe some dry shoes and socks for after the hike.

❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 69F, with light NNE winds and a 6% chance of showers. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/3pxtpdc8

❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❻ Administrative stuff:

• There are no restrooms or drinking water at the trailhead or along the trail (except leafy trees and rocks, of course). Fortunately, there are a couple of good spots to make a pit stop just before you get to the trailhead; see the first three locations below.

❼ Notes:

• Sheetz, 2902 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA 22727 (15 minutes' drive from the trailhead)
• Yoders Country Market, 2105 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA 22727 (17 minutes' drive from the trailhead)
• McDonald's, 327 Washington St, Madison, VA 22727 (19 minutes' drive from the trailhead)
• Graves Mill, 29 Graves Rd, Madison, VA 22727
• Graves Mill Historical Park, 52 Bluff Mountain Rd, Graves Mill, VA 22727
• Fall Foliage Map 2025: https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map
• Bavarian Chef, 5102 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA 22727. https://thebavarianchef.com/