The George Washington National Forest includes 1 million acres of land stretching from Covington to Front Royal. The forest is very rich in history, as it was home to Indians, was a travel route for the pioneers, and was a battleground during both the Revolutionary and Civil wars.
Activities include hiking, fishing, backpacking, biking, scenic drives, hunting, and wildlife observation. Nearly 900 miles of hiking trails are available for any level of hiker. Privately owned Virginia cabin rentals provide many places to stay close to and explore the forest.
adapted from The News Virginian Explore the Valley 2008-09