Directions from Washington DC (60 miles)
Travel west on Route 7 across the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Make a right turn immediately after crossing the Shenandoah River onto Route 603 (Castleman’s Road).
After one mile turn right on Cool Spring Lane.
Directions from Winchester or Berryville Virginia
Travel east on route 7.
Make a left turn immediately before the bridge over the Shenandoah River onto Route 603 (Castleman’s Road).
After one mile turn right on Cool Spring Lane.
Upon arrival
For the Cemetery – 100 yards down Cool Spring Lane, just as the open fields begin, you will see gravel paths on your right, and a small sign for Cool Spring Natural Cemetery, with brochures. The pavilion Chapel and the Circle of Silence are immediately off the paved Cool Spring Lane. Following the gravel road through the Woodland Rest, you will find the Blue Ridge Meadow portion of the Cemetery.
For the Gift Shop – 0.8 mile down Cool Spring Lane, following the paved driveway through the farm and over Cool Spring brook, the Gift Shop and Porter’s Lodge will be on the right-hand side. Please note the Gift Shop’s limited hours here.
For the Retreat House – 0.8 mile down Cool Spring Lane, turn right just before the Gift Shop, and the Retreat House is 0.1 mile, around one final bend. There are signs requesting silence and privacy out of respect for those on retreat.
For the Abbey Chapel – 0.8 down Cool Spring Lane, instead of turning right, continue straight past the Gift Shop and turn left to enter the parking circle in front of the Monastery. The Chapel, through the new porch atop double flights of stairs, and the historic Cool Spring House are open to the public from 3:30am-8:00pm.
Please respect the monks’ private space behind the monastery complex.