HomeVirginiaWarrenton › Whitney State Forest

Whitney State Forest

4.6 ★★★★★ 141 Google reviews · Running trail in Warrenton, Virginia · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Whitney State Forest's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicTrailhead parkingMile markersQuiet

Nature preserve with trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

What runners say about Whitney State Forest

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (141 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Whitney State Park offered a beautiful backdrop for a quick walk for a mommy and me session!”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“Trails aren't really well marked and the parking lot map is not easy to read”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Perfect for a quiet peaceful walk in the woods.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

One of the best trails ever for me! Has hills and beauty everywhere you look. May want to bring walking stick and extra pair of shoes if it's been raining.

★★★★★ — Mike , Sep 2020

Perfect for a quiet peaceful walk in the woods. Don't come expecting paved paths and benches to rest on. The trails are minimally maintained, rough terrain with steep sections. The trail I usually walk is about 3 miles.

★★★★★ — Jim , Jun 2019

This park has nice trails for walking, amd low key moutain biking, as well as horseback (haven't gone myself). Quiet and clean with pretty Virginia views. P.S. If you lost your prescription glasses they are hanging in a tree next to the old house with a blue ribbon tied on them.

★★★★★ — Melisse , Mar 2021

Great place for a hike - there are so many different paths, so I can imagine returning and having a completely different route. Could get lost since it’s not marked well, but I used AllTrails to navigate around a 2.5 mile loop.

★★★★☆ — Joel , Sep 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 141 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“Whitney State Park offered a beautiful backdrop for a quick walk for a mommy and me session!”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Love this place ❤️ If you've never been, not a ton of parking and no bathrooms but the walking paths intersect with each other so it makes each trip interesting.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Perfect for a quiet peaceful walk in the woods.”

More trails like this →

📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Trails aren't really well marked and the parking lot map is not easy to read”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Whitney State Forest

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitedwr.virginia.gov
  • Phone(804) 492-4121
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Whitney State Forest

Lee, Morton Ridge, Warrenton, VA 20186

Get directions

Running trails near Warrenton

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Warrenton Branch Greenway

4.8 ★★★★★ 112 reviews

Warrenton, VA

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Paved trail perfect for walks and exercise, plus a dog park where pups can roam.

2.7 miles away

Eva Walker Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 137 reviews

Warrenton, VA

ShadedScenic

Large, grassy park featuring picnic areas, a basketball court, play equipment & a walking path.

3.1 miles away

Rady Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 441 reviews

Warrenton, VA

LoopPavedShadedScenic

7-acre recreation area featuring woodland, sports fields & a playground, plus an arboretum.

4.2 miles away

Deep cut trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

Manassas, VA

LoopScenic

17.1 miles away

Nature Trail Bridge

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Culpeper, VA

17.4 miles away

Manassas National Battlefield Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,241 reviews

Manassas, VA

LitScenic

Fields marking where the Confederates defeated the Union in the first major fight of the Civil War.

17.6 miles away

All running trails in Warrenton, VA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.