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Loudoun County-Operated Parks
Claude Moore Park
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21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road
Sterling, VA 20164
Phone: 571-258-3700
e-mail: claudemoore@loudoun.gov
Hours: Park open dawn until dusk
Visitor Center open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily
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Welcome to Claude Moore Park!
Claude Moore Park offers a variety of activities for people of all ages. Because of Claude Moore Park’s open spaces, miles of hiking trails, pavilions, and ponds, the park hosts classes and activities that take advantage of these natural resources. |
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Park Overview
Claude Moore Park encompasses 357 acres in Eastern Loudoun County in the neighborhood of Sterling, Virginia. This park is one of the last remaining green spaces in an area of housing and business development.
The park is approximately one-half mile from Route 7, a major roadway in Loudoun County. The park hosts many diverse habitats including wetlands, meadows, and forests. |
Seasonal Pool |
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Loudoun County purchased Claude Moore Park in 1990. The National Wildlife Federation owned the property from 1975 to 1986, managing it as a wildlife education facility. However, the history of this parcel goes back a bit further. The last known undeveloped section of Vestal’s Gap Road runs across the Park. This trail, first used by Native Americans, was a major route for settlers between Alexandria and the Shenandoah Valley. George Washington used the road frequently in his travels between Mount Vernon and the western frontier. General Braddock’s troops, including Daniel Boone, traveled Vestal’s Gap Road during the French and Indian War. |
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Vestal's Gap Road Sign
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The land includes parts of two land grants made by Lord Fairfax in 1729. The Lanesville House, built in the late 1700s, was used as an ordinary by travelers on Vestal’s Gap Road and a post office. The Lanesville House and Vestal’s Gap Road are listed on The National Register of Historic Places. Dr. Claude Moore purchased the property in 1941. He maintained his residence at the park until his death at age 98 in 1991. |
Two Major Areas: Sportsplex and Nature
The park can be divided into two major areas: the Sportsplex, our active recreation area, and the nature area, the more passive recreation area.
Sportsplex
The Sportsplex includes four lighted baseball fields and three lighted softball fields as well as a lighted football field and unlighted practice field. This area also hosts a two-story central building with concession stand, two single restrooms, and meeting space. These fields are used primarily through the months of April to November and host softball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, football, and flag football programs. This area of the park is the site of the new Claude Moore Recreation Center, the first facility of its kind in Loudoun County.
Nature Area
The nature area includes the remainder of the park. The nature area includes 11 total miles of hiking trails including the blue-blazed Scout Trail, the parks longest trail at 3.5 miles; this trail is dedicated to the Girl and Boy Scouts in recognition of the many service projects those groups have completed to enhance the park. The park’s trails access various natural habitats at a gentle grade. Other trails range from a quarter mile to three miles. Each is blazed with a different color and the trails link the different park habitats allowing for a variety of hiking experiences. A trail map and guide are available at the Visitor Center. A trail map also is available online.
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Visitor Center
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The nature area also includes the Lanesville Heritage Area, the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, two covered picnic pavilions (available for rent), Visitor Center, Education Center, amphitheater, and Frogshackle Nature Center, an 1860’s log cabin. There are picnic tables and charcoal grills scattered throughout the nature area available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The park also offers two fishing ponds; large-mouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill are the primary fish species. The ponds are stocked by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Creel limits are posted near the ponds. Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult. Virginia fishing licenses are required for people 16 and older. Fishing licenses are available online:
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Throughout the year, Claude Moore Park hosts large and small events as well as programs and activities for people of all ages. Events include a spring Eggstravaganza, Spring Trail Clean-Up, Wings Over Loudoun Bird Fest, National Trails Day, an early summer Fishing Derby, an Ol' Time 4th of July Celebration, the annual Arts & Crafts Show, and Holiday in the Park.
Many of the park’s classes and programs have an educational focus teaching about such topics as animals that inhabit the park, birds of prey, plant species, environmental education, local history, and much more. Also throughout the year, nature hikes, Frogshackle Nature Center, and special request programs for school groups, scouts, community organizations, adults, and families are available on a variety of nature topics.
Claude Moore Park is located at 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, VA. The northern park entrance, marked Old Vestal's Gap Road, provides access to the Visitor Center, the natural areas, and Lanesville Heritage Area. The southern park entrance, marked Loudoun Park Lane, provides access to the Sportsplex and the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum as well as the new Claude Moore Recreation Center.
All of the park’s programs are designed to foster an appreciation of Loudoun County's natural and cultural resources in a fun and informative manner. Click on the links below to find out more about Claude Moore Park or call 571-258-3700.
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