Blackburn Trail Center
During the Hiking Season:
From April through October, PATC houses trail crews and holds training courses and seminars at the trail center. Hikers can stay in the hiker cabin on a first come, first served basis at no charge. While hikers may use the picnic tables on the lawn or on the screened porch, they may not enter the house. Day and section hikers may park in the trailhead parking lot, but should alert the on-site Caretaker if they plan to leave a vehicle there for a few days. For inquiries regarding Blackburn in the summer, call the manager at 703-967-2226 or message the Blackburn Facebook Page, which also has helpful information.
For more information on this and other PATC cabins, we recommend acquiring and reading a copy of our PATC Cabins Book.
About the Cabin
During Rental Season:
An atypical rental, Blackburn Trail Center is available for rent from November through March, but is otherwise reserved for hikers and trail maintenance crews. During that time, a Caretaker stays on the property. The capacity is 17. The center offers electricity with a full kitchen and dishwasher. A septic system was recently added, making a toilet and solar shower available for use. During winter weather, four-wheel drive vehicles, high clearance, and chains are required. We recommend that you consider bringing a shovel and saw in case of issues on the road. Please note that pets are prohibited.
New Blackburn Policy
Effective for rentals starting November 2023, Blackburn will be available to groups (of up to 17 people, including adults and children) for outdoor education and related activities with no advance booking rules exclusively on weekends from November to March for a flat rate of $650. A weekend flat rate rental is defined as Friday at 1:00 PM to Monday at 1:00 PM.
This policy is tailored for groups wishing to plan in advance but there will be no standard of qualification. Any member who wants the cabin during a defined weekend will pay the flat rate and have access from 1:00 Friday to 1:00 Monday.
Reservations can be made on a first-come first-serve basis up to a year in advance by contacting the cabin coordinator.
Cancellations can be made outside of 30 or more days in advance of the reservation for a full refund less a $25 processing fee. Cancellations inside 30 days are non-refundable.
Monday evening through Thursday morning rentals will be available for standard booking under PATC cabin rules and rates. Rates will be raised $30/night starting November 2023 for a weekday standard nightly rate of $115 and an advance rate of $230.