Forest Bathing at Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia

Forest Bathing at Chantilly Farm

in Floyd County Virginia

Forest bathing: what is this? The short interpretation is using the forest for relaxation and stress reduction by simply walking, observing nature, resting, listening to sounds, in a beautiful forest.  Chantilly Farm has about 100 acres of incredible forest land with at least 20 varieties of hardwoods and many wonderful flora,  fauna and fungi. Does forest bathing really work? Yes, there are many scientific studies that prove that it's really true and you can get beautiful results. 

The Tree of Wisdom near trail C

The Japanese were the first to use the term forest bathing in 1982. A trip through the forest includes pleasant visual views and the aroma from the trees and plants. There are real beneficial compounds emitted by the forest vegetation. Even the quietness of the forest or the breeze causing a musical sound in the leaves and branches help create what is known attention restoration theory (ART).  If you want to lower your blood pressure, improve you immune system, lower your heart rate and increase your feeling of well being then join us in the Forest of Chantilly Farm.

Hiking trail at Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia

The forest at Chantilly is idyllic - hiking & bike trails, great views, abundant wild game and birds, and a small spring fed stream. We are even building a "hidden garden"  and when you find it you will love the tranquility. 

The original trail that is near the festival area and uphill from the performance stage is trail A and is less then a half mile long. It does

TRANQUILITY Bridge to trails B & C. The little
stream provides a wonderful relaxing sound.

have a few steep parts along the trail and if you have any hiking handicaps you will need to be careful. Trails B and C are new and start just below campground B.  Trails B and C are easy hiking with no steep areas, and are accessed by crossing a small stream using Tranquility Bridge to the trail area. Trail B (bright orange ribbon marking) is very short and an easy hike of less then 1/4 mile, and Trail C (pink ribbon marking) is also an easy hike of 1/2 mile. 

There is an abundance of photographic opportunities in "The Forest at Chantilly" - dozens of different flora and fauna provide beautiful subjects for pictures.  In addition to the diverse plant and animal variety, there are several types of fungi, and beautiful white /clear quartz rocks of many shapes/sizes. You will find some rare flora near beautiful small spring fed streams in parts of our forest.

Chantilly Creek 2/3 

 Previous visitors have also used the white quartz rocks to make fairy or gnome houses. Be on the lookout for these beautiful structures. Please take the time to make your own fairy house from the bits and pieces of wood and rocks along the trail. This can be a wonderful way to relax and clear your mind of stressful thinking.  If you have some food, you may want to leave a meal for the fairies (here is their favorite food click).  The mountain views and sunrise/sunsets can be spectacular here in the mountains.

For people with a creative mind, and those desiring to cultivate their creativity, there are endless benefits to be gained from forest bathing in "The Forest of Chantilly." When visiting the farm, please sign in at the farm office and let us know you are going to be out in the Chantilly Forest. 

Camping under the stars at Chantilly Farm.

You can camp at Chantilly Farm and enjoy the great outdoors and nature here in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains of Floyd, Virginia. Chantilly Farm is near the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 150.



"By David Larsen" Chantilly Farm, Floyd County Virginia



A little more research information:
A forest bathing trip involves visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation while breathing in volatile substances, called phytoncides (wood essential oils), which are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees, such as α-Pinene andlimonene. Incorporating forest bathing trips into a good lifestyle was first proposed in 1982 by the Forest Agency of Japan. It has now become a recognized relaxation and/or stress management activity in Japan and the USA. Here is some interesting research by Cimprich B. in 2007.

Good reading: the University of Minnesota "What are Healing Gardens" by  Mary Jo Kreitzer, RN, PhD

Examples of fauna in Olleros de Tera (Spain)

Chantilly Farm busy with projects - The new dog "Bark Park"

Click photo to enlarge

Camping doggies using the Bark Park

We are always adding to Chantilly Farm for events, festivals, weddings and the campground.  Just finished a dog run for campers to allow the dogs to run loose.  Bark Park is the name of our dog run area however we do hope that it does not create a lot of barking as it is real close to the RV campground. I was going by yesterday and some campers were using the Bark Park with a  couple of beautiful tiny dogs chasing a ball around the park.

Ed and Aleno building "Bark Park"

We can thank our Chantilly craftsmen Ed and Aleno for their skill in building the park. They did a fantastic job the dogs already love the "Bark Park".







Ed and Aleno have just finished a pedestrian bridge across the little stream to the new hiking trails "B" and "C" near campground B and the RV area.   The new trails are fantastic and I will talk about them in the next blog. It will not be long and Ed and Aleno will be mowing the 40 acres of beautiful grass fields at Chantilly Farm. Their are many projects in progress at Chantilly Farm - Paul Sullivan leading new Bike Trail building effort- Terri and Camelia are decorating the interior of the Chantilly Country Store.

Chantilly Farm forest areas are just great for "Forest Bathing" and we will be writing about this in near future.

Our first big festival is just around the corner - The Chantilly Bluegrass and BBQ festival May 26-28.


"by David Larsen"   Having fun at Chantilly Farm.

Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia some good things at the farm -Auto Faire - camping - Floyd County Store Kitchen

Coming up this weekend at Chantilly Farm!

The annual Floyd Auto Fair is making its return to Chantilly Farm this coming weekend! The show's organizer's, ChasingSSCars, have even added a third day to the event! Trophies will be given in a variety of categories during the judged car show on Saturday and Sunday will feature a free cruise-in! More than 100 parts vendors have already signed up! Live music from Cadillac Ranch and Casino Cruz will be featured on the main stage at Chantilly on Saturday from 12:30pm until 8pm. Come see vintage racing legend Jimmy Johnson's simulated race car--you can even take your turn behind the wheel! Admission is $6 per day and kids 12 and under are admitted for free with a paying adult. Camping is available throughout the weekend. Those with questions should contact Erik Herdman at (540)789-7898. Click to learn more  >

Expanded Camping Facilities and New Dump Station at Chantilly Chantilly Farm would like to extend a huge thank you to Brooks Brothers Excavating for all their hard work on the new campground expansion at Chantilly Farm! The new pull-through spaces are nearing completion and will feature full electrical, water, and sewage hookups for RV's and travel trailers. Construction on a second bath house facility will begin sometime this autumn. This additional infrastructure will make Chantilly Farm a prime location to pitch your tent or park your RV while passing through our part of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Don't forget, we're located only 6 miles from Downtown Floyd and just minutes from both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Crooked Road Music Trail! A newly completed dump station is also now available for use. Camping at Chantilly Farm is not a requirement for use of the dump station, but a small fee will be assessed. For more information about camping at Chantilly Farm, give us a call at (540)808-4984 or email us at chantillyfarm@gmail.com . Click to learn more >

2015 Bluegrass & BBQ Festival to Expand to Two Days Chantilly Farm's largest annual outdoor event will be expanding to two full days in 2015. The 5th Annual Chantilly Farm Bluegrass & BBQ Festival will feature an all-star lineup of some of the most acclaimed performers in bluegrass and mountain music, along with arts and crafts vendors, camping, children's activities, jamming and more! Mark your calendar's now for Friday and Saturday, May 22-23, 2015 and join us for the region's hottest bluegrass festival! Ticketing and a full festival lineup will be announced later this year, so stay tuned!

Floyd Country Store Annex is Adding a Kitchen Many of you have heard about the new Floyd Country Store annex that was recently constructed in the main festival fields at Chantilly Farm, and believe it or not, the store is already expanding! Woody Crenshaw, owner of the Floyd Country Store and a local entrepreneur, is adding a kitchen to the existing building which will allow for better and more efficient service of patrons during events at the venue. The new kitchen will allow the store to serve a wider variety of both hot and cold dishes. Make sure to stop by and check out what they have to offer next time your visiting Chantilly for an event! Newsletter "byJason Gallimore" Chantilly Farm

Floyd Country Store joins forces with Chantilly Farm in Floyd County Virginia

The Floyd County Store, a major venue on the Crooked Road Music Trail and Chantilly Festival Farm have have entered into a collaboration to help promote music & creative arts to a wider audience.The Floyd Chantilly Farm Bluegrass & BBQ Festival and will continue as a regular vendor during the 2014 season and beyond. The event-goers will enjoy the familiar ambiance and offerings of the Country Store as part of their festival experience.
County Store is constructing a small retail store and jamming pavilion at Chantilly Farm. The Chantilly annex of the Floyd Country Store will be open for business beginning May 24,2014 for the 4th annual Bluegrass Festival.

Check out this story in the "Floyd Press" CLICK 

Click photos to enlarge

Floyd County Store Annex at Chantilly Farm

Early construction of the Floyd Country Store Annex at Chantilly Farm.

Floyd County Store Annex at Chantilly Farm

Here is Woody Crenshaw directing his crew at Chantilly Farm.

Floyd County Store Annex at Chantilly Farm

A view looking toward the Floyd County Store Annex from the stage at Chantilly Farm.  You see a large shade cover in front of the store. This will sure be a great place to see the events.

Chantilly Farm Floyd Virginia

Chantilly Farm Stage Floyd Virginia - 2697 Franklin Pike , Floyd Virginia






Click photo to enlarge

Come check out the Floyd Country Store Annex and hear some great Bluegrass music at our next event May 24th ,2014


Hope to see you at the Festival - Dave Larsen and the Chantilly Farm Team.