History and Beauty in the Shadow of the Mountains

Madison, the town and the county, are located 43 minutes north of Charlottesville and less than 2 hours southeast of Washington D.C. Located along Route 29, it is a convenient drive to both locations and runs parallel to Shenandoah National Park.

Founded in 1792 and named after the Madison family from which James Madison descended, Madison is renowned for its place in US history and its astounding natural resources. Every year tourists flock to Rapidan Camp, also known as “The Brown House”, the presidential retreat of President Herbert Hoover and a precursor to the modern presidential retreat Camp David.

Rapidan Camp is one of the many popular destinations in Shenandoah National Park, a major portion of which lies in Madison. Encompassing a large section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Madison portion of the Park includes Old Rag Mountain, the most popular hiking destination within Shenandoah. Well known for its rocky summit, Old Rag is accessible along many hiking trails within the park or via Skyline Drive, a road that runs the length of the park.

Space, Views, Elegance

Homes for sale in Madison are elegantly built and sit on spacious acreage that
feature rolling farmland, proximity to brooks and streams, and high elevations with unbeatable mountain views. Most properties are horse and livestock friendly, as well as featuring ample room and appropriate soil for planting and raising gardens. Homes in Madison are architecturally varied and many feature well-built barns, guest houses, and equestrian centers.

Hiking, Tasting, Celebrating

Madison residents have a rich variety of outdoor activities available right outside their door. Yoder’s Country Market is home to a barnyard and petting zoo where families can see and pet a rich tapestry of livestock including red-gold pheasants, painted desert sheep, and Boer goats. In the fall Graves Mountain Farm lets families pick their own apples from their orchard from 9-4 PM every weekend. There is no end to the opportunities for camping, fishing, and guided hiking tours of Shenandoah Park and the Blue Ridge.

Madison is a centerpiece of the central Virginia wine industry and is home to three highly regarded wineries including Early Mountain Vineyards, whose tasting room was voted ‘Best Tasting Room in the Country’ by USA Today in its Readers Choice Poll. Madison is also home to a variety of highly regarded dining establishments and event spaces. The Bavarian Chef, located right off US 29, has been serving authentic German cuisine with homemade ingredients since 1974. The plethora of wineries, lodges, and the backdrop of the Blue Ridge makes Madison an ideal place for residents to host out-of-town guests or hold special events.