Tom Rhodes Tree Carving Trail
211 Wallace Street, Warsaw, VA, USA
Dawn until dusk
$
hikes
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In Warsaw, Virginia, Tom Rhodes Tree Carving Trail is a magical place.
A friend first introduced us to this trail in April 2020. It quickly became a favorite. We have shared it with so many friends and families. The drive out to Tappahannock is beautiful, and the enchanted forest is a hidden gem.
Octogenarian Tom Rhodes has carved pop culture figures into trees on this 12-acre property since 2004. Shrek, R2D2, Big Bird, Spiderman, and Simba are a few we have found. If you’re lucky, you may find Tom on the property carving. Recently, he told a visitor that he tries to add six new carvings every year. See if you can find where some unique carvings have been started. The public is welcome to try to find all the carvings; there are over 80. We made a list the last time we were there so we could compare with friends. We counted 91.
The trail is on private property, but the public is free to visit. The trail is open from dawn to dusk. There is free, limited street parking. The trail will be on your left side as you head down Wallace Street. There’s room for a handful of cars to park right in front of the forest. This hike is not stroller-friendly nor wheelchair-accessible, and there are no restrooms onsite.
The hike is not very long. It’s about a mile of twisting trails through the trees. You will be walking through these trees looking for carvings. Maybe you’ll find your favorite storybook or TV character. If the path has a piece of wood with "END" written on it, there are no more carvings past that point. There is a small creek that cuts across the forest. It is not play-worthy, but there is one bench near the creek where you can sit if needed.
Make sure to bring water and snacks. Bug spray will be helpful, especially during the summer months. The forest is pretty well shaded, which is a plus for the hot summer months.
Warsaw Town Park is a small playground only 0.5 miles from the Tree Carving Trail. There are public restrooms, a playground, and a dog park.
A visit to the Enchanted Forest is not complete without a visit to NN Burger in Tappahannock. NN Burger is known for its Freakshakes, burgers, and catchy bathroom tunes.