Trail & Basecamp

For guests who want scenic trails, local adventures, and a hot tub waiting at the finish line

A Fresh-Air Weekend, Mapped Out

Best for: Hikers, mountain bikers, outdoorsy couples, active travelers, friends trips
Pace: Energized, flexible
Stay length: 2 nights
Highlights: High Bridge Trail, state parks, kayaks, local beer, stargazing

The Trail & Basecamp itinerary is for guests who want to spend the day outside and still come home to comfort. Start with coffee, head for the trails, cross High Bridge, rent a bike or kayak, and return to camp with just enough dirt on your shoes to feel accomplished. This weekend gives you room to explore without turning your getaway into a survival challenge. Think scenic trails, fresh air, local beer, firelight, and a private hot tub that feels especially well-earned after a few good miles. Adventure is great. Adventure with a king bed at the end is better.

Day One

4:00 pm, Check in at Camp Yellow Cardinal
Arrive at camp, settle into your dome, and get oriented. Drop your gear, check out your private deck, and take a leisurely stroll through the property trails before dinner.

5:30 pm, First campfire of the weekend
Fire up the grill or ease into the evening by the fire pit. This is your basecamp for the weekend. With a king bed, hot tub, and private bathhouse access, “roughing it” isn’t even on your radar.

7:00 pm, Casual dinner in Farmville
If you aren’t grilling on site tonight, we suggest you head to Macado’s for a college-town favorite with a massive sandwich menu, or grab dinner at The Fishin’ Pig for fantastic BBQ, seafood, and chicken.

8:30 pm, Three Roads Brewing Company
Stop by Three Roads Brewing Company for local brews, a beer garden, and yard games. Then head back to camp for a night soak under the stars.

Day Two

8:00 am, Coffee and gear check
Start the morning at camp with a full French press of our complimentary signature roast from Roastology in Richmond, VA. If you aren’t sautéing peppers and onions over the campfire for breakfast burritos, head straight to Poplar Sips in downtown Farmville to fuel up. Be sure to pack water, snacks, comfortable shoes, and layers. Today is for moving around.

9:00 am, High Bridge Trail State Park
Start with the region’s signature outdoor experience: High Bridge Trail State Park. The 2,400-foot-long, 125-foot-high former rail bridge is the centerpiece of the park, and there are two especially good ways to experience it.

Your first option is to park in the municipal lots near Main Street Plaza in downtown Farmville, then unload your own bikes or rent from The Outdoor Adventure Store, located just a block from the trail. From the downtown Farmville entrance, it is about 4.5 miles to the actual High Bridge, which makes for roughly an hour round trip by bike or a 4 to 5-hour round trip on foot. This route winds past the Rochelle Area, where you can explore the Early or Burnside Trails if you want to extend the outing.

Your second option is to park at the Camp Paradise lot (1466 Camp Paradise Road) for $5. From there you are only about 0.3 miles from the bridge’s most unique scenic views. This is the best choice if you want the big High Bridge payoff without committing most of your day to the trail.

Late morning or early afternoon, Appomattox River Company and lunch downtown
Depending on how you choose to explore High Bridge, make time before or after lunch to stop by Appomattox River Company. Even if you are not in the market for a new kayak or canoe, the nearly 50 year old warehouse and showroom is worth experiencing.

When you are ready to refuel, head to Walker’s Diner for a burger and a milkshake in a classic 50s-style eatery. After a few miles on the trail, this is not a “maybe we should split something” kind of lunch. Treat yourself!

2:00 pm, Choose your afternoon adventure
If you still have energy for more adventure, choose one of these nearby options for the afternoon.

Option 1: Bear Creek Lake State Park
Check out this 40-acre lake with boat rentals, fishing, swimming beach, and access to a 14-mile hiking and biking trail.
Option 2: Twin Lakes State Park
Enjoy boat rentals, fishing, swimming, and a 6-mile hiking and biking trail.
Option 3: Wilck’s Lake Trail
Take it easy with a 1.6-mile loop just outside historic downtown Farmville.

4:30 pm, Return to camp and recover properly
Head back to Camp Yellow Cardinal for the best part of an active day: doing absolutely nothing afterward. Rinse off, put your feet up, stretch out on the deck, and let the hot tub take it from here.

6:30 pm, Dinner at camp or in town
Grill at your site for a relaxed camp dinner; not much beats cooking out as the fireflies begin to make their evening appearance. If a full day of exploring has you looking for an easier option, head back into Farmville for wood-fired pizzas at The Fox and Lamb, one of our favorite downtown dinner spots.

8:30 pm, Fire pit, stars, and victory snacks
End the night by the fire pit. Bring s’mores supplies, a deck of cards, or absolutely nothing. You did enough today.

Day Three

8:00 am, One last trail walk
Before checkout, take one more quiet walk around camp. A Sunday morning in the woods has a way of putting some much needed distance between you and Monday.

10:30 am, Check out
Check out by 11 am and head home with tired legs, a full camera roll, and a very reasonable argument for making this an annual tradition.

Before heading home
For a meaningful final stop, take the Civil Rights Walking Tour, a two-mile, self-guided route that starts and ends at the Robert Russa Moton Museum and traces significant sites along Main Street, High Street, and Griffin Boulevard in historic downtown Farmville.