OUTDOOR RECREATION
Whether you're a fitness fanatic or someone whose idea
of outdoor recreation is a lounge chair and a cold drink on a deck overlooking
the river, you've come to the right place. Lancaster County's unspoiled waterways
and woodlands are a nature lover's dream. Her back roads and byways are perfect
for strolling or cycling. And with the Rappahannock on one side and the Chesapeake
Bay on the other, you'll never run out of water…to swim in, sail on,
fish or simply contemplate.
Boating
With nearly 300 miles of shoreline, Lancaster County is home to numerous marinas
where you can put in, provision and dock your boat for the season or year-round.
And if you don't own a boat, you can charter one. If you're hankering to
venture out onto the bay (or go around the world) under full sail, you can
learn the ropes from one of the finest sailing schools in the country. Right
here in Lancaster County. Or, if you'd rather paddle than rely on wind or
diesel fuel, rent a canoe at Belle Isle State Park or join a guided trip
to see eagles and other wildlife in their natural habitat. And if, when all
is said and done, you'd just as soon leave the "driving" to the
experts, sign up for a bay cruise or a leisurely voyage up Carters Creek,
one of the loveliest stretches of water on the Eastern Seaboard.
Fishing
If
there's a trophy-size striper in your dreams, let one of Lancaster County's
veteran charter boat skippers take you out and make that dream come true.
Or find a freshwater farm pond and try your luck fishing for bass and bream.
(You'll need a license and the owner's permission.) To nail down bragging
rights once and for all and maybe take home some extra cash, enter one of
the many fishing tournaments held here each year. Check Community Events
to see what's coming up. Or find information at any area marina.
Golf
If you're accustomed to queuing up for a tee time and allotting six hours minimum
for a round of golf, you've forgotten just how pleasant the game can be.
Lancaster County is home to three championship courses (the State Amateur
has been held here many times). Be forewarned, though. With the weather and
the spectacular setting, you're liable to have trouble keeping your eye on
the ball.
Hiking
Belle Isle State Park, one of the newest and least-crowded in the state system,
consists of 733 acres and 7 miles of shoreline on the Rappahannock River
and Mulberry and Deep Creeks. Several multi-use trails wind their way through
wetlands teeming with wildlife, upland forests and agricultural fields. Just
west of the village of Lancaster is the Hickory Hollow Nature Preserve, a
254-acre tract of land with several trails of varying lengths through woodland,
ravines and marshland. In 1999, Hickory Hollow nearly became an industrial
park. A public outcry put a halt to the planned move, and the preserve was
subsequently sold to the Northern Neck Audubon Society.
Cycling
Belle Isle State Park's multi-use trails are open to cyclists. And if you forgot
to bring the bikes, you can rent them at the park office. Lancaster County's
many back roads are lightly-traveled and scenic. And you can design your
own tour. Try White Stone to Windmill Point for a short, flat ride on highway
narrow enough at some points to be lapped by bay water on one side and the
Rappahannock on the other. Or, for a few more ups and downs, take Devil's
Bottom Road to Merry Point, enjoy the free ride across the Corrotoman on
a two-car ferry and explore the Corrotoman Neck. If you enjoy organized rides, try to our Northern Neck RiverRide.