Student Health and Wellness encourages spending time in nature is a great way to boost your mental, physical, and overall well-being. We're part of CampusRx, a nationwide initiative that encourages nature prescriptions through programs like Park Rx America.
Studies have shown that spending time in nature can have a wide range of benefits for your physical and mental health. For example:
- Lower blood pressure: Being surrounded by greenery and fresh air can help reduce stress and lower your blood pressure.
- Reduced stress: Nature has a calming effect on the mind and body, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Improved memory: Spending time outdoors can enhance cognitive function and improve memory.
- Boosted mood: Exposure to natural light and fresh air can help regulate mood and reduce feelings of depression.
Looking to get engage with CampusRX? Learn more about their annual symposium here.
Walnut Creek
Blue Ridge Tunnel
places to go
Nestled amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains, UVA offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. From lush forests and rolling hills to streams and scenic trails, the area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or simply seeking a peaceful escape, Charlottesville's natural beauty offers endless opportunities for exploration and relaxation.
UVA's Outdoor Adventure also has great suggestions and ways to connect with nature.
Check out our interactive map below to find a destination the resonates with you.
things to do
There are endless ways to engage with nature! Discover a sit-spot for a moment of tranquility, forest-bathe in the serenity of an unfamiliar forest, or let the river's current guide you downstream on a leisurely paddle. Remember to embrace the experiences and the company you cherish.
Here are some additional ideas for connecting with nature:
- Go hiking or biking on one of the many trails in Charlottesville.
- Have a picnic in a local park.
- Volunteer at a community garden or nature preserve.
- Take a nature photography class.
- Simply sit outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
our picks
On Grounds Locations
- The Lawn
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The Lawn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the heart and soul of the University of Virginia. This iconic grassy area is surrounded by elegant Palladian-style building, creating a pitcuresque setting.
The Lawn serves as a gathering place for students, faculty, and visitors alike. Here, you'll find students studying, socializing, playing games, or simply enjoying the serene atmosphere. It's a place to relax, connect with friends, and find inspiration.
- UVA Guided Tree Walk
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Join Carol Wise and Dana Denbar on this walk at the University of Virginia through beautiful surroundings as they discuss the history of the area, some specimen and native trees.
They will share information about the value of biodiversity, tree identification, and specific qualities related to each tree discussed. This is an easy to moderate walk over a gentle sloping area of paved walkways and grassy areas under a high canopy of trees. Learn more.
- Pratt Ginkgo
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This ginkgo biloba is better known as the Pratt Ginkgo in honor of William Pratt, UVA’s first superintendent of buildings and grounds. Pratt is given credit for planting many of the oldest ashes and maples on the Lawn, as well as the old Ginkgos in the grove beside the chapel. According to Hughes, it’s the last ginkgo in Charlottesville to change color. And when the leaves fall, she says, “you see [students] toss the leaves into the air [and] take pictures of themselves with gold falling all around them.” Learn more.
- The Dell
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Tucked into the western edge of UVA, the Dell’s pond reflects blue sky and white clouds on this midsummer day, although a storm threatens from the northwest, with nickel-gray clouds moving in. Still, turtles swim just below the surface, while bumblebees and dragonflies flit among the water lilies and violet blooms of pickerel weed at pond’s edge. Learn more.
- O-Hill Trails
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Rising 865 feet on the western edge of Grounds, crisscrossed by a network of trails and covered by a canopy of chestnut oak and hickory trees, the hill is a haven for recreation. Learn more here and view the trail map here.
Off Grounds Locations
5-15 miles from Grounds
- Rivanna River
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5 miles from Grounds. The Rivanna River, a scenic waterway that winds through Charlottesville, offers a variety of recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. some popular things to do include:
- Kayaking and Canoeing: Explore the river's calm waters and enjoy the peaceful scenery.
- Fishing: Try your luck at catching bass, trout, or other species.
- Tubing: Float down the river on a tube and relax in the sun.
- Hiking and Biking: Follow the Rivanna Trail for scenic views and exercise.
- Picnicking: Enjoy a meal or snack by the riverbank.
- Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for birds, turtles, and other wildlife.
- Morven Farms
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10 miles from Grounds. Morven is a place-based (land-centered) sustainability lab where students explore, discover and create more enduring and just ways of multi-species living in the world. Morven’s diverse rural lands—shaped by thousands of years of environmental and human history--are simultaneously a living landscape classroom, laboratory and sanctuary. Here, in the classroom and in the field, we incorporate traditional practices and seek new practices and models necessary to address the global environmental crisis, especially as it is changing the Virginia Piedmont, our regional home. Learn more about student days at Morven.
- Mint Springs
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12 miles from Grounds. Mint Springs Valley Park is a beautiful urban park located in Charlottesville. Offering a variety of recreational activities, listed below, and stunning natural scenery, the park is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Learn more.
- Hiking Trails: Explore the park's network of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
- Disc Golf Course: Enjoy a round of disc golf on the well-maintained course.
- Dog Park: Let your furry friend run and play in the fenced-in dog park.
- Picnic Areas: Relax and enjoy a meal at one of the many picnic tables.
- Playground: Keep the kids entertained at the playground.
- Amphitheater: Enjoy outdoor concerts and events at the amphitheater.
- Beaver Creek Reservoir Park
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13 miles from Grounds. Beaver Creek Reservoir Park is a beautiful outdoor destination located in Albemarle County. This 219-acre park offers a variety of recreational activities, including the below. Learn more.
- Fishing: The 104-acre lake is home to a variety of fish species, making it a popular spot for anglers.
- Boating: Enjoy a day on the water by renting a boat or bringing your own.
- Hiking: Explore the park's scenic trails, including the Rock Ridge Trail.
- Picnicking: Relax and enjoy a meal at one of the park's picnic tables.
- Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for various wildlife, such as birds, turtles, and deer.
- Walnut Creek Park
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14 miles from Grounds. Walnut Creek Park is a popular destination in Charlottesville, offering a variety of recreational activities and beautiful natural scenery. Below are some of the highlights. Learn more.
- Hiking and Biking Trails: Explore the park's network of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
- Disc Golf Course: Enjoy a round of disc golf on the well-maintained course.
- Playground: Enjoy the playground.
- Picnic Areas: Relax and enjoy a meal at one of the park's picnic tables.
- Sports Fields: Play a game of soccer, baseball, or other sports on the fields.
- Pavilions: Rent a pavilion for your next event or gathering.
15+ miles from Grounds
- Sugar Hollow Reservoir
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15 miles from Grounds. Sugar Hollow Reservoir is a beautiful natural area located in Albemarle County. It's a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy fishing, hiking, and swimming. Below, are some of the highlights of Sugar Hollow Reservoir. Learn more.
- Fishing: The reservoir is stocked with rainbow and brook trout, making it a great spot for anglers.
- Hiking: There are several hiking trails in the area, including the North Fork Moormans River Trail.
- Swimming: The Blue Hole, a popular swimming hole, is located near the reservoir.
- Picnicking: Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the designated picnic areas.
- Blue Ridge Tunnel
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20 miles from Grounds. The Blue Ridge Tunnel, located in Nelson County, Virginia, is a historic railroad tunnel that was once the longest tunnel in the Western Hemisphere. Constructed in the early 1900s, the tunnel was a significant engineering feat at the time.
Today, the tunnel is no longer used for rail traffic but has been repurposed as a pedestrian and bicycle tunnel. Visitors can walk or bike through the tunnel, enjoying the unique experience of traveling through a historic landmark. The tunnel offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, and nature lovers. Learn more.
- Humpback Rock
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20 miles from Grounds. Humpback Rock is a popular destination in the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley. Located in Shenandoah National Park, this iconic peak is a must-visit for nature lovers and hikers. Learn more.
Here's what you can expect at Humpback Rock:
- Panoramic Views: Enjoy sweeping vistas of the Shenandoah Valley, including the Massanutten Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Hiking Trails: Take a hike to the summit of Humpback Rock for even more spectacular views.
- Picnic Areas: Relax and enjoy a meal at one of the picnic areas.
- Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for various wildlife, such as deer, birds, and squirrels.
- Shamokin Falls Trails
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25 miles from Grounds. Shamokin Falls Trails is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Charlottesville, Virginia. This scenic trail system offers a variety of hiking and biking options, leading to beautiful waterfalls and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Learn more.
Here's what you can expect at Shamokin Falls Trails:
- Waterfalls: Explore the park's numerous waterfalls, including Shamokin Falls and Triple Falls.
- Hiking Trails: Choose from a variety of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
- Biking Trails: Enjoy a scenic bike ride through the trails.
- Picnic Areas: Relax and enjoy a meal at one of the picnic areas.
engage with nature for class credit
“Engaging With Nature,” (KLPA_1070-001) a one-credit, pass/fail course, seeks to provide students with practical skills for incorporating nature experiences into their regular health habits. The course teaches that the first step in building a new habit is creating space and time for the new activity. The beauty of this instruction is that it works to build time into the student’s regular weekly schedule.
The class meets once a week for 2½ hours, always in a new setting. Those settings are close enough to Grounds that students can access them easily, even given short timeframes. Students are also provided with options for more extended nature experiences outside of class time.
Throughout the course, course participants learn about the many ways in which nature positively influences health and well-being. Student Health and Wellness Dr. Jessica Simmons, director of medical services; senior associate vice president, Student Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Holstege, Dr. Meredith Hayden, chief medical officer, Dr. Stephanie Hartman, associate director of primary care, and Dr. Lillian Mezey, associate director of psychiatry, each bring a unique lens to the students’ learning experience. Classes include discussions of the health benefits of engaging nature (such as the concept of “forest bathing”), demystifying the outdoors, planning appropriately for a safe wilderness engagement, exploring nature in the local community and discussing the history of the region and current nature conservation efforts.