Fort Windham Rocks

Fort Windham Rocks is a pair of deeply split greenstone boulders just off the Appalachian Trail near Compton Gap. The 50-foot rock walls are the draw; this is a short stop for close-up geology rather than a long vista. From Compton Gap Parking Area at Skyline Drive mile 10.4, follow the Appalachian Trail north, turn left onto Dickey Ridge Trail, then look right about 300 yards later. The round trip is 0.8 mile with 130 feet of climbing; allow about an hour to walk and explore. The final spur is unmarked, and you will need the park entrance fee or a valid pass.

Walk around the boulders and peer into the narrow cleft. For a photo, frame the dark opening between the rock walls so the split reads clearly. The trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines, and the last stretch is uneven; optional scrambling is part of the visit. Dogs are allowed on a physical leash no longer than six feet.

These rocks are greenstone: basalt from lava flows roughly 570 million years ago, later changed by heat and pressure as the Appalachians formed. Minerals including chlorite and epidote gave the rock its green cast. Weathered surfaces can be pale gray or rust-red, so the green cast is not always obvious. The ancient lava flows covered more than 4,000 square miles, putting this small formation in a much larger story.