Green Pastures Recreation Area
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Location
201 Green Pasture Trail, Clifton Forge
Setting
George Washington National Forest
Managed by
Virginia State Parks, with Douthat State Park
Known for
Outdoor recreation and Black history
Green Pastures is a small, historically significant recreation area in the George Washington National Forest near Clifton Forge. Its original facilities included a lake and sandy beach, bathhouse, picnic shelter, playing fields, walking paths and hiking trails—an outdoor gathering place built for African American visitors during segregation.[1]
Today the site is managed by Virginia State Parks in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and is associated with nearby Douthat State Park. Come for a quiet walk and a closer look at the place’s layered history; check the official park page before setting out for current access information and conditions.[2]
Plan a trip to Green Pastures Recreation Area
Why visit Green Pastures?
Green Pastures offers more than a woodland stop: it preserves the story of a place created when Black families had few options for public outdoor recreation in the central Appalachian region. Its former lake, beach, shelter, fields and paths also give visitors a sense of how recreation was designed and experienced here.[3]
The setting is part of the appeal. The area sits within the George Washington National Forest, and its connection to Douthat State Park makes it a worthwhile addition to a wider Alleghany Highlands outing.
Start here
Begin with the landscape and the history together. Follow the paths and look for traces of the recreation area’s original layout, while keeping in mind that facilities described in historic accounts may not all be available today. DCR’s trail guide and park page are the best places to confirm current routes, access and conditions before visiting.[4]
What to see and do
Walk the grounds
Explore the area’s paths and wooded setting. Check the current trail guide for route details and any access notices before your visit.
Look for the historic layout
The original recreation area included a lake, beach, bathhouse, picnic shelter, playing fields, trails and walking paths. Not every historic feature should be assumed to be open or operating today.[5]
Reflect on the site’s Black history
Learn how advocacy helped secure a Forest Service recreation area for African American visitors during segregation, and how its role changed over time.
Bring a camera and take your time
The forest setting and surviving historic landscape invite a slower visit. Stay on established routes and respect any posted restrictions.
Green Pastures is managed in connection with nearby Douthat State Park, making the two sites a natural pairing for a regional visit.
History and significance
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service between 1938 and 1940, Green Pastures was created during an era when public recreation in Virginia was deeply shaped by racial segregation. Virginia’s state parks were effectively reserved for white visitors, and an NAACP-led campaign helped bring about the creation of this recreation area for African American families.[6]
The site opened on June 15, 1940. In 1950 it was officially integrated, and in 1964 it was renamed Longdale. It closed in 2017 amid budget constraints; after community preservation efforts, the historic name Green Pastures returned and the area reopened in 2021 under a state-federal management partnership.[7][8]
The property is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register. The historic register describes a landscape of buildings, sites and structures associated with its original recreational use, including the lake, shelter and playing field.[9]
Planning a visit
Green Pastures is at 201 Green Pasture Trail, Clifton Forge, Virginia, and is administered with Douthat State Park. Confirm current hours, road conditions, access, available facilities and any fees with Virginia State Parks before traveling; historic descriptions of amenities are not a guarantee that each feature is currently open.[10]
For route information, consult the official trail guide and follow signs and posted notices on site. If combining the visit with other outdoor recreation nearby, check details separately with Douthat State Park.
Nearby attractions
Douthat State Park
A nearby mountain park and Green Pastures’ state-park management partner.
Clifton Forge
A convenient Alleghany Highlands town to include in a regional itinerary.
Falling Spring Falls
A prominent natural stop in the Alleghany Highlands region.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area Reopening and Dedication Media Kit, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area, Virginia Landmarks Register, Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area Trail Guide, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area, Virginia Landmarks Register, Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area, Virginia Landmarks Register, Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Black history at Green Pastures Recreation Area and how to visit, Virginia State Parks Blog, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, February 25, 2025. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area Reopening and Dedication Media Kit, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area, Virginia Landmarks Register, Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Green Pastures Recreation Area, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.