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Find Your NYE Fun Along the Beerwerks Trail

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Take a break from hanging holiday lights and start thinking about your New Year’s Eve fun. The Beerwerks Trail is a great way to find a laid-back vibe and craft beer culture, and many of our breweries have special events planned. Jot down some resolutions, practice the lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne,” and toast 2025 with some craft beer cheer!

Still shopping for holiday gifts? Hats, growlers, t-shirts, and gift certificates make great last-minute presents.

Pre-Game Events 

Greet the new year early with some weekend fun:

Thursday, December 26

Friday, December 27

Saturday, December 28 

Sunday, December 29

Monday, December 30

New Year’s Eve Parties on Tuesday, December 31

Don’t sit at home as the ball drops! Here are the Beerwerks breweries that are throwing parties.

The Foundry at Basic City Beer Co. 

New Year’s Eve Celebration with YARN and Isaac Hadden. Get your tickets now for a wild New Year’s Eve celebration at The Foundry. You’ll enjoy terrific alt-country rock and roll music, craft beer and cocktails, delicious food, and a champagne toast to welcome 2025. Sing and dance into the new year.(8 pm)

Stable Craft Brewing

Round up the posse for the NYE: Wild West Celebration. This party will lasso the new year with western-themed food, drinks, and entertainment in a rustic venue. Reserve your table today for drinks, two separate buffets (steak and shrimp and bar-style bites), a photo booth, tunes by Rick Rowe DJ, dancing, and a midnight toast. (5 pm – 12:30 am)

Seven Arrows Brewing

New Years Eve & 10-Year Anniversary Bash. Join Seven Arrows Brewing Company and Nobos Kitchen in celebrating 10 years of stellar beer, scrumptious bites, and good times. This free event features DJ Lance, a photobooth, a champagne toast, and lots of delicious beer and food. Look for 10-year anniversary beer on tap! Want special treatment? Snag some VIP tickets. More info to come! (9 pm)

Pale Fire Brewing Co.

NYE w/ The Wilson Springs Hotel at Pale Fire. Get your tickets to ring in the new year with Virginia’s genre-bending The Wilson Springs Hotel. Expect some folk, rock and roll, country, and more in their unique sound. (9 pm, 21+)

Cave Hill Farms Brewery

Big City Band – NEW YEARS EVE BASH 2024. Join your friends at Cave Hill Farms Brewery for a rocking night of live music by Big City Band. You’ll get to make memories in the photo booth and enjoy a midnight champagne toast, lots of yummy food, and Cave Hill Farms’ delicious craft beer. (7 pm)

The Friendly Fermenter

Show off your end-of-year smarts at Trivia Tuesday. Answer three rounds of questions by Pub Trivia Nerds and one on the weekly theme to make your bid for TFF gift cards and/or swag! (7 pm)

Prefer to low-key it this year with a night at home with friends and family? Make sure to lay in a supply of cans, crowlers, or growlers, available at most Beerwerks breweries!

If you’re looking for some non-brewery New Year’s events and activities, try one of these options.

Looking Ahead

January is dark and cold. Plan to warm up at these upcoming events!

Friday, January 3, 2025

Saturday, January 4

Friday, January 10

Saturday, January 11

Friday, January 17

Saturday, January 18

Friday, January 24

Saturday, January 25

Friday, January 31

New Year’s Resolutions

Still working on your New Year’s resolutions for 2025? Check out our post on how to make keeping those resolutions easier by combining them with chances to drink craft beer: 9 Ways to Keep Your New Beer’s Resolutions Along the Beerwerks Trail.

Whether you’re craving a quiet pint or a spotlight on the dance floor this New Year’s Eve, the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail has an event and a brewery to suit your style. Raise your glass for locally crafted beer,fine company, and the best year ever in 2025!

NYE & 10 Year Anniversary Bash at Seven Arrows!

Help us ring in the New Year and celebrate 10 YEARS of making amazing beer (and memories!!)
-DJ Lance starting at 9pm
-Free Photobooth all night
-Champagne toast (21+)
-FREE event- however VIP tickets are available for purchase!
-Draft only 10 Year Anniversary Beer *Limited Quantity*

Open Mic Night at Seven Arrows

Come on out for Open Mic Night with MC Dan the Man! Sign ups are from 6-7!

Come on out for an evening of talented folks from across the Valley!

Queen City Christkindlmarkt

Step into the magic of the Queen City Christkindlmarkt! Immerse yourself in a European-inspired Christmas market and explore charming, beautifully decorated booths featuring one-of-a-kind treasures from local artisans and makers—perfect for finding unique gifts for loved ones or a special treat for yourself.
Warm up with seasonal drinks and feel the cozy holiday spirit all around. Whether you’re here for the shopping, the atmosphere, or just to soak up the joy of the season, the Queen City Christkindlmarkt is the perfect way to celebrate this holiday season. Bring friends, bring family, and make unforgettable memories!

Brewery Spotlight: Pro Re Nata+

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Want to learn more about Pro Re Nata+, the newest brewery along the Beerwerks Trail? Discover the brewery’s most-popular beers, meet its new award-winning head brewer, and uncover the meaning behind the Pro Re Nata+ name.

Hours:

  • M-W: Closed
  • Th: 11-9 pm
  • Fri: 11-10 pm
  • Sat: 11-10 pm
  • Sun: 11-9 pm

What are your go-to brews and what makes them unique?

  • Hops Treatment (Hazy IPA w/ rotating Hop Varieties)
  • Tapped Out (Easy Drinking Pilsner)
  • Sound Check (Light American Lager)
  • Hop Drone (East Coast Style IPA)
  • Rotating Seasonal Beers (Brown Ale, East Coast IPA’s, Stouts, Oktoberfest, Sours…etc)
  • Rotating Cider & Wine Selection 

Derek Hornig is the new Head PRN Brewer. He’s a highly recognized and award-winning brewer with medals at the Great American Beer Festival, World Cup, and the Virginia Craft Beer Cup. He’s known as one of the most talented brewers in all of Virginia.

What is something unique/quirky about the brewery that most people don’t know?

PRN means “as needed”. PRN+ means that we not only offer beer, but we also offer wine, ciders, and cocktails.

We are currently working on plans for a large covered patio area that will offer more space to spread out, and more rental options for hosting private events and parties.

Do you distribute locally or have any local collaborations?

PRN beer is currently offered at Pro Re Nata (Crozet) and PRN+ (Staunton). Due to new upcoming state regulations, we’re currently considering in-house distribution and partnering with a few other local establishments. We’ve purchased a large new canning line that makes taking beer home and gifting “Beers To Go” an essential and viable option.

Do you offer tours?

Not at this time. But if enough people are interested and make special requests, we will consider offering tours in the future.

Do you allow dogs? 

Animals are not allowed inside (due to Health Department regulations), but pets are allowed on the outside patio area, as long as they’re friendly, leashed and well-attended.

Are you kid-friendly?

We’re very kid friendly, but always encourage parents to have a good time, but keep an eye on their kids at all times, especially for safety reasons!

shenandoah-beerwerks-lawn-games

Do you offer food onsite?

We have multiple food options.  B&C Food Company is onsite and offers wings, Southern comfort food with an Asian flair. Pro Re Nata+ offers a wide selection of pizzas (Best New Pizza in Staunton), nachos, and salads.

What events do you offer?

We currently offer live outdoor music, a private party rental space, and multiple TV’s for football and other popular sporting events. We’re actively looking into hosting future silent discos, trivia, karaoke and open mic nights, specialty food nights, art & craft markets and any new ideas that will keep things exciting, interesting and engaging to the local and surrounding communities.

Find the Best Holiday Gifts Along the Beerwerks Trail

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The gift-giving season is almost here, and here’s how breweries along the Beerwerks Trail can help you find your way through the holiday shopping chaos. Beerwerks breweries are excellent sources of gift cards, growlers, and t-shirts to make the beer lovers on your list light up. Many breweries also sell holiday or winter-themed beers, perfect for warming up at the end of a cold day. Stop by the taprooms or follow the links below to score fantastic presents and stocking stuffers!

Zone A

BrewHaHa Brewing Company: Shirts, hats, gift cards, or cans to go can be purchased at the brewery located in Village of the Valley.

Brothers Craft Brewing sells merchandise in the taproom and online, including gift cards, polos and t-shirts, trucker hats, glassware, koozies, stickers, growlers, and grunts. Brothers offers 15% off cases of packaged beer every Monday. 

Cave Hill Farms Brewery: Purchase gift cards, apparel, and glassware on-site.

Elkton Brewing Co.: carries a selection of shirts, hats, stickers, pint glasses, and crowlers in the taproom. 

The Friendly Fermenter:  The 3T Experience makes a great gift for a small group of your favorite folks. This 90-minute experience combines tasting, teaching about beer, and a tour of their brewery.

Pale Fire Brewing Co.: Check here to find gift cards, t-shirts, beer coolies, gaiters, stickers, dog leashes and chews, pins, bottle openers, totes, trucker hats, and beanies.

Restless Moons Brewing Company offers mug club memberships. Gift cards are available online. Check out the taproom for merch!

Three Notch’d Valley Collab House: Check the taproom or website for gift cards and a nice selection of tees, outerwear, and hats. You might also consider gifting a membership to the Fresh Beer Club, which includes two packages of beer each month, early access to new beers, and access to events, discounts, and giveaways.

White Oak Lavender & The Purple WOLF Vineyard: A wide array of gifts include gourmet food, aromatherapy items, bath accessories, wines, classes, stuffed animals, and much more.

Zone B

The Alpine Goat Brewery’s merch selection includes trucker hats, beanies, koozies, shirts, and memberships to the annual Mug Club, which is only available once a year and includes an extra two ounces on every pour, specials, and, of course, a special mug. 

Basic City Beer Co. sells gift cards, hats, and shirts online and in the taproom. Pick from something Basic City branded, or choose a design in the label of your favorite beer. Would you rather gift an experience? Why not surprise your favorite people with tickets to an upcoming show at The Foundry?

Pro Re Nata+ offers branded hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts, glassware, and gift certificates. Celebrate the holidays with merch from the Beerwerks Trail’s newest brewery.

Redbeard Brewing Company has hoodies, t-shirts, tanks, koozies, trucker hats, beanies, glassware, growlers, tin tackers, coffee, and gift cards online.

Seven Arrows Brewing: Give Seven Arrows-branded merch, including cans, growlers, or gift cards this year. Seven Arrows also sells beer glasses for all your beer needs, including goblets, pints, and pilsner glasses. Seven Arrows also offers a Mug Club membership. Lucky recipients get 20 oz. of beer for the price of 16 oz. each time the mug is filled.

Stable Craft Brewing: Grab some Stable Craft holiday gift cards, which make awesome gifts for foodies, beer, and cider lovers. Purchase craft beer sample packs, apparel, growlers, pint glasses, and more in the gift shop. Want to be a hero? Gift your loved one a membership for the mug of Supper Club, an evening with friends in a Stable Craft igloo, or a weekend away in one of the onsite suites.

Zone C

Devils Backbone Outpost Tap Room & Kitchen sells a big selection of shirts, hoodies, hats, beanies, and other apparel. You’ll also find glassware, tap handles, stickers and patches, koozies, hot sauce, shades, soap, dog toys, beer keys, and more. Order online or visit the brewery.

Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery: Shop a great selection of hats, hoodies, and t-shirts in the taproom. Consider a membership to the Wine Club for wines delivered quarterly with maker’s notes, special discounts, and early-bird access to new wines. 

Heliotrope Brewery has branded discs to up your disc golf game! You can also buy sweatshirts, t-shirts, glassware, hats, stickers, and gift cards.

Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery: Wines can be shipped to many states. There’s a minimum of two bottles. Growlers and more are for sale in the onsite shop.

Beerwerks Breweries with Sweet Mountain Views

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You’ve carved your pumpkins, stuffed your scarecrows, and hiked to an incredible overlook. You’ve posed for fall portraits, handed out snacks after the soccer game, and raked some leaves. After all that hard work, you deserve to kick back and enjoy a beer against an incredible backdrop. Here’s our round-up of Beerwerks breweries showcasing sweet mountain views. As you visit, make sure to get your 2024 Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail Passport stamped to earn a Beerwerks t-shirt!

Zone C

Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery

Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery offers plenty of outdoor space with excellent views looking over rolling hills and pastureland. You’ll see rows of grape arbors, a pond, and a pair of silos rising over the farm. Pick from a seat on the deck, at one of the umbrella-shaded picnic tables, or spread out blankets and chairs on the grass. There’s even an open-air pavilion to shelter you if it starts to rain. Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery makes both wine and beer, so you have a lot of wonderful tastes to sample. For fall, try the Blood Orange Wheat ale or the Gold Rush cider. Catch live music on weekend afternoons, and buy a snack of local cheeses from the tasting room or from a scheduled food truck. 

Devils Backbone 

Devils Backbone Outpost Tap Room & Kitchen sits high on a hill, and the mountain views from the enormous deck should appear on postcards. There’s even more outdoor space in the separate beer garden with picnic tables and umbrellas. Celebrate fall with O’Fest Lager or malty Pumpkin Spice Lager, made with pumpkin pie spice extract. The exceptional menu includes appetizers, salads, delicious burgers, sandwiches, and entrees as well as a menu for kids. Check the schedule for live music every Friday and Saturday.

Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery

You’ll be blown away by the incredible mountain views at Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery. Relax at a shaded picnic table or in an Adirondack chair and watch the clouds drift over the Blue Ridge. Kid with you? Don’t worry, there’s lots of room for them to run and have fun while you taste your way through the ever-changing taplist. Upcoming releases include a freshly fermented IPA-Citra/Mosaic, the annual Oktoberfest, and the Belgian Golden Strong.  Plan a picnic, or grab something from a Saturday food truck. Check the schedule for upcoming musical events.

Zone B

The Alpine Goat Brewery

The Alpine Goat Brewery spoils visitors with tasty craft beer as well as beautiful views of the mountains from a variety of outside seating areas. You can also see the Valley’s scenery from inside the beer hall-like taproom. The brewery serves several European-style beers as well as regional favorites like IPAs, stouts, and hard seltzers. Try the dark German Schwarzbier while you listen to live music or play outdoor games like cornhole and giant Connect Four. Visitors can also enjoy fire pits, brewery tours, and small-batch beer releases. The brewery is kid-friendly and offers a sandbox and lots of open space for the kids to run and play. In addition, leashed dogs are welcome. Get some small snacks in the taproom or plan to visit during the weekend and evening hours when the rotating food trucks are onsite. Come for live music on the weekends, Saturday morning yoga workshops, and chances to meet the goats and make memories.

Stable Craft Brewing

Stable Craft Brewing’s extensive outdoor space includes a shaded patio, picnic tables, and Adirondack chairs, all featuring swoon-worthy views of the Blue Ridge. Play lawn games, volleyball, and cornhole golf, or stroll the property for more views of the mountains. As the fall weather deepens, pull up a chair near one of several crackling fire pits. Stable Craft’s signature fall flavors include a traditional Oktoberfest and the delicious pumpkin pie-inspired FUmpkin Ale. The brewery also dishes up an elevated bistro menu packed with appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and entrees. Stable Craft’s Friday Night Love series combines live music and cider releases, and as Halloween nears, tour guides from Ghosts of Staunton will be sharing spooky stories from the Queen City. 

Pro Re Nata+

Pro Re Nata+ opened its new Staunton location last month, and while you can’t quite see the mountains, you can still take advantage of the fall colors and rolling meadow scenery from the large, dog and family-friendly beer garden. The brewery has taken over the old Skipping Rock location a short, scenic drive from Staunton. Try the popular Tapped Out pilsner or the seasonal Byers Street Brown. In addition to their beer, Pro Re Nata+ also serves several types of salads and creative, customizable pizzas. An onsite food truck prepared Southern-inspired apps, mains, handhelds, and sides. Finish your meal with an ice cream flight. Stay tuned for upcoming events like live acoustic music and silent discos, where the dance music is shared through headphones, but those who don’t want to listen can opt out.

Seven Arrows Brewing

As the leaves drop off the trees, Seven Arrows Brewing’s view of the distant mountain ridge to the east only grows more beautiful. Snatch your mountain peek from a variety of outdoor seating options on the deck, beer garden, and around the firepit. Don’t skip the toasty Fallen Timbers Oktoberfest, brewed with specialty malts and German noble hops. Nobos Kitchen complements the tap list with a tasty lunch, dinner, and late-night fare. Visit the taproom on Saturday nights for live music. Seven Arrows hosts Tuesday night open mic sessions and Saturday morning yoga. Looking for indoor views? Have a look at the art in the onsite Compass Gallery. You might find something you want to buy for your wall at home.

Zone A

Cave Hill Farms Brewery

The outside seating area at Cave Hill Farms Brewery has shaded tables and stellar views of the farm and mountains. For the best views around, climb the silo stairs to the balcony overlook. Fall beers to try include the Oktoberfest, made with German hops and malts and notes of toffee and caramel, and the Cocoa Kisses chocolate stout. The unique indoor taproom is a huge converted bovine loafing shed with a small farm museum. The museum has exhibits on the making of milk products, pre-electric farm tools, buggies, keys, and more. The Feedlot serves tasty bar food and has a kids’ menu. Catch live music each weekend!

White Oak Lavender Farm

If you haven’t sampled the beer at family-owned White Oak Lavender Farm, the fall is the time to do it. While the lavender blooms earlier in the season, the farm still smells amazing, and you’ll definitely relax as you sip flights of beer, wine, and cider. Toast your toes near a fire pit or enjoy a stroll around the landscaped grounds and pause to look at the mountains in the background. The farm hosts live music, wreath-making classes, and festivals. Kids will love the weekend small animal experience, chances to meet and groom the horses and goats, and lavender ice cream. The gift shop is stocked with great-smelling items like essential oils, candles, bath products, jellies, jams, and other good things to eat.

Make the most of the fall weather, craft beer, and mountain view experience. Plan your trip to a Beerwerks brewery today!

Fall Hikes and Nearby Breweries Along the Beerwerks Trail

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No, your eyes are not deceiving you: the leaves have already started to change. It’s still crazy hot, but autumn is right around the corner. If you’re fantasizing about fall things like sweaters, football, pumpkin-spiced anything, and leaf-peeping along the trail, this is the season for you. Here are nine hikes along the Beerwerks Trail that are especially nice in autumn. Better yet, they’re all a short distance from a Beerwerks brewery where you can refresh and toast the changing seasons.

Zone A

Hightop Summit Trail

15 minutes from Elkton Brewing Co.

You can choose the distance you want to hike to reach the panoramic views at the end of Shenandoah National Park’s out-and-back Hightop Summit Trail. Start at Swift Run Gap to tackle the entire 5.6 miles and a steep climb of 1,480 ft. Alternately, park at the Hightop Mountain pull-in on the Skyline Drive to do an easier 2.3 miles. Time this one right and score a big sunset. Both hikes are all downhill back to your ride. This hike is considered moderate and is one of SNP’s less-traveled trails.

Hidden Rocks Trail

30 minutes from Restless Moons Brewing

Hidden Rock Trail in Hone Quarry Recreation Area is a moderate 2.5-mile hike that follows (and crosses) Rocky Run. Hikers will love looking at the pretty mountain stream, especially where a pool has formed under a waterfall. The trail climbs up Back Mountain to the Hidden Rocks. This cliff formation is a popular scene for rock climbers and you might spot someone mid-climb. The trail continues past the base of the rocks to an overlook on top of the cliff. Nearby Hone Quarry Ridge (5 miles) and Oak Knob (7.9 miles) also pay off with overlooks and opportunities to see migrating birds and autumn leaves.

Massanutten Ridge Trail

15 minutes from BrewHaHa Brewing Company

Massanutten Ridge Trail is a 4.5-mile out-and-back scenic trail that provides impressive views of Massanutten’s ski slopes and surrounding mountains from the top of the ridge. This is a quiet hike with some challenging rocky sections along the ridge. Enjoy the autumn leaf show or plan your upcoming golf or ski trip while you hike. It’s worth it to arrive at sunrise or sunset! 

Zone B

Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail

2 minutes from Basic City Beer Co.

Once the longest railroad tunnel in North America, the Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel is now a 4.5-mile out-and-back hiking trail that delves under Afton Mountain. Visitors can hike or bike the trail, including the nearly mile-long tunnel section. The tunnel stays a pleasant 50 degrees year-round, and you might see underground dwellers like crawfish and salamanders. Signage along the trail gives background on the tunnel’s history (it was built in the 1850s and closed to trains in 1944) and the project to restore it, which took nearly 20 years. There is no interior lighting, so visitors should bring flashlights. 

Calvary and Chimney Rock

35 minutes from Seven Arrows Brewing Company

Located in Shenandoah National Park, the Calvary and Chimney Rock hike is a moderate 3.4-mile out-and-back hike with two impressive overlooks and large, interesting rock formations. Turn around and head back to your car or extend the hike into the 10-mile Riprap Loop.

Elliot Knob 

20 minutes from Redbeard Brewing Company

The tough 8.1-mile out-and-back Elliot Knob hike climbs to a fire tower on the highest peak in Augusta County. The hike begins gently, traversing woodland scenery and following Falls Hollow Run as it works through the forest. Rest and admire the pools and waterfalls. The final steep mile and a half, along a fire road, will have your quads crying…in both directions! The summit is open and grassy, and it offers wonderful views and a private place to rest and eat lunch.

Zone C

Chessie Trail

5 minutes from Heliotrope Brewery

You won’t have to drive along miles of switchbacks to get to Chessie Trail, which can be accessed from either Lexington or Buena Vista and connects the two. Ideal for strolling or riding your bike, the 7-mile (each way) trail follows an old railroad bed and hugs the scenic Maury River. The well-maintained gravel trail is flat and quiet and runs through forested and open land. There’s a good chance you’ll see some native wildlife.

Mt. Pleasant Trail

40 minutes from Devils Backbone Outpost Taproom & Kitchen

Mt. Pleasant Trail is a well-maintained 5.5-mile loop trail that’s loaded with interesting things to look at including two summits with beautiful views. This hike is good for a long day hike, but hikers hoping to stay longer can claim one of several established campsites near the mountain’s saddle. October is a wonderful time to visit and photograph the changing leaves.

House Mountain Trail

25 minutes from Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery

The tough 8.2-mile House Mountain Trail follows an old Jeep trail up the mountain and splits when you get to the saddle between the two peaks. This spot was once a homestead and you can still see an old structure and some apple trees. From here, you can pick a peak to climb (or tackle both). Big House Mountain looks west from the top of a 100-foot high cliff, and to reach it, you’ll cover 1.7 challenging miles and climb 740 feet. Little House Mountain looks northeast, and the trail is 2.6 miles long and has a strenuous 940-foot climb. Many people tag both peaks for the full 8.2 miles.

One of the best ways to celebrate fall is with a beautiful hike followed by a cold beer. Make plans to hit the trail this weekend!

Stitch n’ Bitch

Join us for our new monthly crafting event, Stitch ‘n Bitch, every second Tuesday of the month! Bring whatever you’re currently working on, or finally start the project you’ve always wanted to all while meeting new people, drinking good beer, and having fun crafting!

Mom’s Night Out

Join us for our monthly Happy Hour, Mom’s Night Out! Every third Monday from 5:00-8:00p! Unwind with a pint of beer and enjoy each other’s company. No kids, no stress, just good times and good vibes. Enjoy $1 OFF full pours during these Happy Hours!

Dad’s Night Out

Join us for our monthly Happy Hour, Dad’s Night Out! Every second Monday of the month from 5:00-8:00p! Unwind with a pint of beer and enjoy each other’s company. No kids, no stress, just good times and good vibes. Enjoy $1 OFF full pours during these Happy Hours!

Water Fun Along the Beerwerks Trail

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Summer is here, and it’s time to get outside. Whether you’re mowing, barbequing, exploring, or having fun outside, you’ll work up a sweat. Here’s how to cool off with a visit to one of the Valley’s best water features for paddling, swimming, fishing, or hiking. Make sure you finish the day with an icy brew at a nearby Beerwerks brewery.

Paddling

The area’s rivers and lakes provide both calm water and rapids to explore!

The South River flows through Waynesboro, and the section from Ridgeview Park to Basic Park makes up the 4-mile Waynesboro Water Trail, which connects several parks with launch access for canoes, kayaks, and tubes. It’s also one of only two urban trout fisheries in the state, and anglers can take advantage of launches for small craft, a fishing platform, and habitats constructed for fish. Since the water trail runs through the city, visitors can beach their boats and easily access park and downtown amenities. Nearby Rockfish Gap Outfitters rents canoes and kayaks if you don’t have one of your own. 

The Upper James River Water Trail is one of only three east coast rivers named in Paddling Magazine’s “Best Places to Paddle in America.” Including parts of the James and Maury Rivers, the waterway offers 59 scenic miles with 12 public access points and extensive opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting adventures. The river trail includes smooth, family-friendly stretches and areas of whitewater for those seeking to practice technical skills. If you’re looking for an overnight adventure, hop out and camp at one of many riverside campgrounds. Several stocked trout streams feed into the UJRWT, providing some of Virginia’s best bass, catfish, and sunfish fishing. 

Swimming

Escape the heat and humidity with a plunge.

Sherando Lake Recreation Area beckons you for the day or weekend with an icy 25-acre spring-fed mountain lake. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but it’s also a wonderful place to swim, paddle, fish, and play. Spread blankets in the shade as kids frolic on the big, sandy beach. A roped-off swimming area provides safety. The area also has a campground, bathrooms with showers, and miles of hiking and biking trails in the surrounding national forest. Anglers love fishing the lake from a bank, boat, or fishing pier. 

The Massanutten Water Park isn’t a natural body of water, but you’ll definitely have fun! Hit the slides and wave pools inside and out. The park, a top-ten favorite of Parents Magazine, Budget Travel Magazine, and USA Today, offers slides, pools, lazy rivers, and waterless arcade game fun. Rocket headfirst down the Rockingham Racer slide, avoid water cannons in the Massanutten Meltdown, or surf in a wave pool. New outdoor slides include the twisting double-tube Peak Plunge and the zero-gravity sensation, MASS Mayhem. 

Fishing

With its solitude, scenery, and numerous freshwater species, the Shenandoah Valley is an East Coast fishing hotspot. 

Stocked with brown trout, Mossy Creek makes a worthy destination for experienced fly fishermen. The creek flows through private property, but landowners along with The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries and Trout Unlimited have made a four-mile stretch open to the public to fish from the bank.

Located in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Braley Pond boasts a beautiful, forested setting that’s easy to access. The pond is stocked with rainbow trout, and fishermen can also catch largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Nearby, 54-acre Elkhorn Lake supplies water to the city of Staunton and is managed for both warm and cold-water fishing of largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and channel catfish. 

One of our favorite locations for introducing kids to the sport is Staunton’s Lake Tams. This stocked 2.5-acre pond is home to largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. This site boasts ample parking, clear and gently sloping banks, and room to set up lawn chairs. It’s also close to playgrounds if the kids need a break. Lake Tams Is home to annual fishing derbies for youth and seniors.  

Waterfall Hikes

Spend a hot spring or summer day hiking to a waterfall. The icy dip will feel incredible.

Many Shenandoah National Park hikes pay off with waterfalls and shaded trails. Located in the southern portion of the park, the Jones/Doyles Falls hike is a 6.6-mile loop with places to dip your feet and some gorgeous spots to photograph the falls. Nearby, the 9.5-mile Riprap Hollow Trail is considered one of the best in the area. Explore the mountain streams as you navigate crossings and photograph a 20-foot waterfall and smaller cascades. The star of the show, however, is an incredible 50-foot-wide swimming hole. 

If you’re visiting the central region of SNP, try the 4.8-mile South River Falls hike. It will take you past two old cemeteries to the base of a striking 83-foot cascade. The popular and moderately difficult hike will get you in the mood for a cold brew. 

1,200-ft high Crabtree Falls is one of the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The up-and-back 3.8-mile trail offers close-up vantages of five major cascades and a magnificent view of the Tye River Valley from the top. If you want to swim under a waterfall, set your sights on St. Mary’s Falls. The out-and-back hike totals 4 miles with multiple water crossings along the Saint Mary’s River. The exhilarating payoff is an icy mountain pool and scenic waterfall, so pack a picnic and swimsuit and stay awhile.

Lakes and rivers along the Beerwerks Trail are ideal destinations when the weather gets steamy. Spend a hot afternoon enjoying one of our water features and follow it up with a refreshing visit to a Beerwerks brewery.