A new trail was opened to the public at High Bridge Trail State Park on January 1, 2026.

Those who attended the annual First Day Hikes were among the first group of people and dogs to walk on this newly created trail.

The park offered a First Day Hike with dogs and another extended hike that featured the new trail. With the park having record numbers for this event, offering two hikes allowed the groups to spread out.

Trail name

When the trail was in the planning stages, park manager Daniel Jordan asked Ranger Matt Reusch to submit some ideas for a name. Reusch suggested calling it the Sanford Trail after C.O. Sanford due to historical significance.

In the 1850s, the site was surveyed and the bridge engineered by C.O. Sanford, who later reported to the stockholders of the Southside Railroad: "There have been higher bridges not so long, and longer bridges not so high, but taking the length and height together, this is, perhaps the largest bridge in the world." High Bridge (Appomattox River) - Wikipedia

Unfortunately, Matt Reusch passed away last fall before the trail came to fruition. The park staff decided to honor Matt in a special way, so his legacy would remain, and the Reusch-Sanford Trail was agreed upon as the new trail name.

Trail details

The best place to access this trail is to park at Main Street Station, located on Camp Paradise Road. When you get to the trail, the new visitor center will be on your right, but you will need to head left and traverse across the High Bridge. Continue walking until you see the yellow road gates; the trailhead is just after them, indicating that the Reusch-Sanford Trail is on the right.

The Reusch-Sanford Trail allows visitors to enjoy a one-of-a-kind view underneath the High Bridge through this windy but flat .5 miles of trail.

The park now has 42.2 miles of trails you can enjoy on foot or by bike, and, as mentioned above, this park trail is ideal for walking with your dog.

Be sure to stop by the visitor center before or after your hike, as it offers exhibits that provide more insight into the park and surrounding areas. You can also purchase snacks and souvenirs as well as talk to a ranger while taking a break from the trail. There are bathrooms and a bike repair station in this area.

About Matthew “Matt” Reusch

Working with Matt was always fun, and I enjoyed learning numerous things from every program he put together. Not many people can make history enjoyable to listen to, but he really had a way of explaining things that made sense. His words were always kind, and his ideas were inclusive and creative as he strived to create a better park experience for all who visited.

Daniel Jordan worked closely with Matt and had more to share about him.

“Matt had served in the Army's 10th Mountain Division,” explained Jordan. “After the Army, he took a job with the City of Clermont near Orlando, Florida. However, he had history on his mind and ended up moving to Appomattox, Virginia, to be closer to American Civil War history and how it shaped the US. Before he was even in Virginia, he had applied for the Education Specialist (Park Interpreter) with us. He was a natural at park programming and did a great job with it. He worked closely with the park staff to transition from the old park office into the new visitor center. He helped build the new plan for programming with the visitor center and helped with the layout/design for the new visitor center exhibits. He really helped to propel the park forward with his ideas, creativity, enthusiasm, and knowledge. He was excited about the trail coming in for a couple of reasons--it provided access to the Cumberland side of the bridge and opened up more opportunity to expose the public to history.”

He will be missed dearly by coworkers, friends and family. 

Park Programs

In addition to hiking the trails, the park offers seasonal programming that encompasses history, nature, and its wildlife. Springtime is ideal for the Vernal Pool programs, which offer hands-on experience with these temporary yet vital bodies of water.v of water.

This year, the park will be celebrating Virginia’s 250th anniversary with an immersive living history demonstration that takes place over two days.

The park also hosts events in April to celebrate Earth Day, offers astronomy programs, and holds races throughout the year. The annual Firefly Festival is held in June, and you won’t want to miss the nighttime sky light up with these flies over the High Bridge.

For a full list of events, visit the park’s event web page.

Plan your next visit

High Bridge Trail State Park is for day-use only, but you can visit 5 state parks in the Farmville area to get the most out of your visit. Read more about visiting in this itinerary blog that gives suggestions on how to enjoy all 5 parks within 5 days.

Be sure to share your adventures with us on social media using #VaStateParks, and follow us to see all the fun things going on at Virginia State Parks.