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.
The Saunders-Monticello Trail and park system are open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please observe all signage at the park and be aware that a number of changes and additional safety measures are currently in place.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are strongly recommended, especially on the boardwalks and other areas where social distancing is difficult.
Evening Closing
Gates will close promptly at 7 p.m. to allow adequate time for additional cleaning and trail maintenance. Please allow time to return to your vehicle before closing. Anyone on the trail after 7 p.m. will need to contact Monticello security at 434-984-9885 to unlock the gates.
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 Reopening 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
The Saunders-Monticello Trail
The Trail occupies 89 acres of land along the Thomas Jefferson Parkway and includes miles of gravel walkways, boardwalks, and rustic woodland paths.
A 2-acre pond planted is home to fish, frogs, and many native wetland species of plants.
An arboretum showcases trees and shrubs native to Albemarle County, Virginia