Autumn foliage in Shenandoah National Park
Opened to the public in April 1965, Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges is a hidden gem in the Shenandoah Valley. You are conveniently located just thirty-five minutes from the Thorton Gap entrance station and provide sleeping accommodations for just about whatever adventure you’d find yourself on. Whether in the main lodge, a cabin, condo, cottage, or a primitive camp spot for glamping, you’ll surely enjoy your night here as there’s so much to see and do. The property is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and provides a spectacular atmosphere. The sunrises and sunsets here are not to be missed. You’re sure to cross paths with some animals here as well. I saw numerous deer and a skunk along the road during my stay.
The family hosts a lot of activities on the farm as well. Whether timed events, live music, festivals, or reserved opportunities, including Horseback Riding, numerous trailheads for hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, art workshops, and soap making, to name a few. There’s so much to see and enjoy here you could spend a weekend alone. I stayed Friday(11/5)-Sunday(11/7) and thoroughly enjoyed my stay. I resided in the Poplar Log Lodge. The room offered a comfortable king-size bed, a bathroom with a shower and sink, and a heater and air. It was rustic; the walls were wooden logs, and the balcony outside the room looked out into the woods. It was quiet and serene.
Before checking out, I enjoyed breakfast at the main lodge, buffet style. On the menu were the classics. Bacon, Sausage Patties, and gravy. Scrambled eggs, hash brown casserole, pancakes, yogurt parfaits, baked apples, assorted fruits, vegetable crudités, homemade bread, muffins, and pastries. The food was hot, and the servers were attentive and courteous. And that’s what I feel makes this place so unique. You feel a part of the family. It has that Southern hospitality you can’t replicate or find anywhere besides places like this. So, if you’re in Shenandoah Valley and need a place to lay your head, I couldn’t think of a better place.
After my time in the Meadows I captured an iconic sunset and here you can understand how the Mountain range got its name as the Blue Ridge Mountains, No matter how many times I’ve visited the mountains keep calling me back. There are still photos left ungotten, trails left unexplored, and memories still to be made.