Green Pastures Recreation Area

General Information

Green Pastures (Longdale) Recreation Area was built for use by African Americans during the segregation era, although it was officially integrated in 1950. The recreation area within the George Washington National Forest included a small lake with a sandy beach, a bathhouse, picnic shelter, toilet facilities, playing fields, hiking trails, walking paths, and parking areas, all built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The name of the area was changed to Longdale in 1964. Green Pastures was meant to pair with the six Virginia State Parks sites opened in 1936, including nearby Douthat State Park built by the CCC. Though not legally mandated, these Virginia State Parks sites were effectively whites-only.

An NAACP-led campaign resulted in a meeting between federal and state land-management agencies (USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Virginia State Parks, & the Virginia Department of Forestry). The USDA Forest Service agreed to host an African American recreation

area. While open, Green Pastures was undoubtedly the first and only African American USDA Forest Service recreation site within Virginia and, likely, the only of its kind nationwide. It was also one of the few outdoor recreational areas open to African Americans in the central Appalachian region from the 1930s through the 1950s.

The reopening and dedication of the Green Pastures Recreation Area and historic signing of a Shared Stewardship agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Commonwealth of Virginia took place on Friday, September 24, 2021. Douthat State Park now manages the recreation area.

Hours

The grounds are open from Dawn to Dusk. May 1- Oct. 31

Location

From I-64 Take Exit 35 for VA-269/State Route 850 toward Longdale Furnace. Turn onto VA-269W toward Longdale Furnace Road. Continue for 2 miles. Turn left onto Tri-county Road.  Slight right onto Green Pasture Trail. 

From Clifton Forge, head east on US-60 Business E/Main St, turn right onto Longdale Furnace Rd, continue onto VA-269 E/Longdale Furnace Rd, turn right onto Tri County Rd, slight right onto Green Pasture Trail, and follow it to the parking area.

Park Size

133 acres

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Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

None - day use only, but see Douthat State Park for overnight camping and cabin facilities near this park. For information on the availability of other parks' overnight accommodations and particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. See park fees.

Recreation

TRAILS

Green Pastures Recreation Area has over 8 miles of hiking and biking trails that connect to trails in the USFS.

SWIMMING

While swimming isn't available at this park, you can take a short trip to nearby Douthat State Park, where you can enjoy this amenity.

FISHING, BOATING

Green Pastures has a small lake for fishing as well as Blue Suck Run. All DWR fishing regulations apply. No boating at this park.

HORSES

None at this park.

Park Trail Guide

Click here for the park's trail guide.

Download (external link for use with Avenza App) the geo-referenced map

Download the geo-referenced map for this park

Nearby Attractions

Within an hour's drive of Green Pastures Recreation Area you will find:

Douthat State Park

Alleghany County: Visit the Arts and Crafts Center, the Historic Stonewall Theater and the C&O Historical Society Archives in the Railroad Museum in downtown Clifton Forge. Further west is Virginia’s oldest standing covered bridge on Rt. 60, west of Covington. Travel Rt. 220, north of Covington and find Falling Springs, described by Thomas Jefferson as a "remarkable cascade . . . falling over a rock about 200 feet to the valley below."

Bath County: Visit the Garth Newel Music Center, the Warm Springs Baths and the Bath County Historical Society Museum. Bath County is the home of The Homestead, a National Historic Landmark covering 15,000 acres. Horseback riding, skeet shooting, golf and many other activities abound.

Lexington: The home of Natural Bridge, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Nearby is the Natural Bridge Zoo. Lexington is also home to the Virginia Military Institute, Washington and Lee University, Safari Park and the Virginia Horse Center. Civil War history abounds throughout this historic town.

Staunton, Waynesboro: Take a trip back in time and visit the Museum of American Frontier Culture. Also visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum and historic Mary Baldwin College. Country and gospel music fans won't want to miss the Statler Brothers Museum complex. Also be sure to visit the museum of renowned artist P. Buckley Moss. Take in a fresh, energetic approach to Shakespeare at the American Shakespeare Center, which has the only re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theater.

Roanoke: While in Roanoke, visit the Science Museum, Center in the Square, the Planetarium, the Museum of Transportation, the Explore Park, Mill Mountain Zoo and the market area in downtown Roanoke. Also be sure to tour the Dixie Caverns.

White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.: The Greenbrier, nestled in 6,500 acres of the Alleghany Mountains, features golf, tennis, horseback riding, mineral baths and spacious accommodations.

Picnic Shelters

The park has one historic CCC-built picnic shelter. Picnic tables and restrooms are also available.

Meeting Space and Facilities

MEETING FACILITIES

None at this park.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP

None at this park.

RESTAURANT

None at this park.

LAUNDRY

None at this park.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

None at this park.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The historic CCC-built picnic shelter and access to United States Forest Service (USFS) trails.

Other Info

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS

View all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

CONCESSIONS

None at this park.

HISTORY

Green Pastures (Longdale) Recreation Area was built for use by African Americans during the segregation era, although it was officially integrated in 1950. The recreation area within the George Washington National Forest included a small lake with a sandy beach, a bathhouse, picnic shelter, toilet facilities, playing fields, hiking trails, walking paths, and parking areas, all built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The name of the area was changed to Longdale in 1964. Green Pastures was meant to pair with the six Virginia State Parks sites opened in 1936, including nearby Douthat State Park built by the CCC. Though not legally mandated, these Virginia State Parks sites were effectively whites-only.

An NAACP-led campaign resulted in a meeting between federal and state land-management agencies (USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Virginia State Parks, & the Virginia Department of Forestry). The USDA Forest Service agreed to host an African American recreation area. While open, Green Pastures was undoubtedly the first and only African American USDA Forest Service recreation site within Virginia and, likely, the only of its kind nationwide. It was also one of the few outdoor recreational areas open to African Americans in the central Appalachian region from the 1930s through the 1950s.

FRIENDS GROUP

Douthat Friends group