Conway Robinson State Forest

Big fan of this place! I’m so hesitant to write a review just because I love how peaceful this place is without all of the tourists. For years I have talked about finding a place to walk the dog that isn’t so crowded (great falls, bull run, etc.) My husband rides his bike here and decided to take me one day. It’s so quite and peaceful and the trails are great! They have multiple trails, some harder than others, but I love them all. There are more bikers than hikers here, so it’s very important to have your pets leashed! This will always be my weekend go to place to get my dog and myself exercise! A pooped dog is a happy dog! ;-)

Conway Robinson is a nice little state forest that offers some hiking/​trekking, mountain bike and horse trails with various sceneries to take in as you go along.
Tucked away on Route 29 it’s easy to miss this place if you’re not looking for it. The entrance is located directly across from the intersection of University Boulevard. The drive in to the parking lot has several large potholes so go slow and watch out. The parking lot is not large, but people rotate in and out frequently so I’ve never had any issue getting a spot.
There is a small picnic pavilion and if my memory serves me correctly there’s even a grill for BBQ action. There’s an information kiosk with a map of the park and its trails. Since there’s no maps of the trails to take to go, I recommend taking a picture of the map at the kiosk so you know where they are.
The trails are pretty good and easy to follow however the markings aren’t super obvious so keep a lookout for them. The terrain varies from standard forest to rocky to pine forest which makes for a nice change of scenery as you traverse through the trails. A couple of the trails can get really muddy so if there’s been recent rain prepare yourself to get dirty. There are a few signs to tell you about the park and how nature works so it’s not a bad place to bring the kids and let them learn a little.
Also this place allows mountain bikes and horses so pay attention to others on the trail. A few times I’ve gotten lost in my music with my headphones on and been surprised by a passing biker.
If you’re looking for a nice place to take the family, get a bike shred in or trot along with your horse this is a good spot for each.
*This park is gun carry friendly.

My friend introduced me to this trail as a means to get my feet wet in mountain biking. I’ve ridden both the Red (or was it orange?) and Blue trail and can say the blue trail is awesome for beginners like myself. Sections of straight and flat forest trail allow for a breather before going right back into the deep woods.
There is a nice variety of obstacles here, but when riding backwards there are spots where you nearly have no option but to walk your bike, like an uphill section with a log in the way. I found the blue trail to be really fun, if not a bit tame at times. The red trail had some rather tricky technical parts where it looked like someone with a love for rocks went to town. Overall, this is a great, quiet little trail that serves an excellent spot to hone your skills.

This is a great little hidden spot that not many people know about, despite it being located right off 29. I took my dog there and we did a nice 3 mile or so loop. The blazes on the trails are clear and it’s easy to navigate. Moderate to easy hike for most semi-​in shape people like myself.

The first time in 22 years I got back on the saddle again MT Bike that is. It was a great reunion at this park. I read one review the person stated that it was a lame park because of the rocks well anyone who has ride single track understands you will go through a variety of terrain. I had a blast even being so out of shape I will be going back with some friends.

Mountain biked the blue trail. Great place! Perfect spot close by. Only a few folks (was mid week) and the trail was well marked. I went ahead and extended the ride by going on the orange, a bit rough, had to walk the bike over the large boulders, but still a great day.

The Conway Robinson State Forest is a nice little wooded parcel off U.S. 29 — just east of Gainesville, VA. A small swath of private land separates the Forest from Manassas National Battlefield Park.
There are a number of hiking trails here. It’s perfect for getting out and away for a nice walk or hike in the woods. You could work in any number of hikes with the network of trails here — up to a five mile hike or so!
The trails are marked with color blazes. The trail difficulty is easy to moderate. There are a few moderate slopes on some of the trails — and some of the trails are quite rocky, so keep an eye on your footwork as you hike along. At the parking lot there is a kiosk with a map of the Forest. The trails are color coded. You can also find a trail map in pdf form on the web site for the Conway Robinson State Forest:
The Virginia Department of Forestry manages this land. They have a scientific research plot on the Forest — comparing a protected patch of land to the surrounding Forest. The protected patch is fenced off to exclude Deer from browsing the vegetation. There is an interpretive sign explaining the research project. Very interesting!
Get out in the woods! Listen to the wind whispering through the trees, enjoy the sounds of the Forest — fuel your spirit with a dose of nature!

This is a little hidden gem in Northwestern Prince William county. Most people don’t know it exists, but it’s there, just off of 29.
It’s a tiny little managed hardwood forest with hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling trails all throughout the 444 acres. There are also picnic tables and a covered pavilion.
Be careful in the late spring/​early summer as there are a TON of ticks and mosquitoes. Hiking can be a little treacherous at times because of the bikers that churn up the muddy ground, but it’s a pretty easy hike over mostly level ground. There are maps available from the DOF site, as well as one being posted at the entrance.