Dog Days on the Trail: Oct 26 - Nov 10
For a limited time, we are allowing leashed dogs on all Saunders-Monticello Trail paths and boardwalks. Thoughts or feedback? Take our survey here and save 10% on your next Museum Shop purchase!
Normal Trail Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
To review local daily sunrise and sunset times, CLICK HERE »
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and for severe inclement weather. In the winter, morning icy conditions may also lead to delayed openings.
Come Hike with Us
With native hardwood forest, deep ravines and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the trail winds its way toward Monticello and back in a very manageable four miles. A maximum grade of 5% keeps it completely accessible to walkers, cyclists and those in wheelchairs.
Access to the Monticello visitor center campus requires passing through a security screening checkpoint. This includes access to the restrooms, café, shop, and all locations on the visitor center campus. No weapons, including firearms, knives, or sharp objects, are permitted beyond the checkpoint.
Parking
There are three parking lots available for trail users.
- Route 53: 503 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (open sunrise to sunset)
- Route 20: 678 Dairy Barn Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (open sunrise to sunset)
- Monticello's David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center: 1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (only open during Monticello's regular hours of operation)
Restrooms
Restrooms are only available when Monticello is open.
Trash
To reduce employees’ contact with waste, guests are asked to carry out trash and properly dispose of waste outside of the park.
Pets
Dogs must be on a leash at all times while on trails and in the park. Dogs are not permitted on the boardwalks for safety reasons. However, there are seven miles of rustic, pet-friendly trails.
- Trail FAQs
- Trail Hours and Rules
- Kemper Park and the Saunders-Monticello Trail
- Support Your Trail
- Trail Map
- History of the Trail
- Sign up for Trail e-newsletter
- Photos of the Saunders-Monticello Trail on Flickr