Apple Mountain Lake is a quiet community near Front Royal
Apple Mountain Lake is a wooded residential community on the outskirts of Front Royal that is often chosen by homebuyers for its sense of rural remove, which comes at a lower price compared to surrounding areas. “It’s a more economical area. The typical line I’d give is that you get more bang for your buck in terms of acreage,” says Vicki Cloud, principal broker and owner of EXIT Realty Pros in Manassas, who has 25 years of experience in the area. “You get a lot more privacy for a good price, and it’s absolutely beautiful. People drive for hours from other parts of the state in the fall to drive through the neighborhood and see the foliage, and the mountains get snow in the winter.” Despite this, the area is not as far-flung as it might appear on a map. The community enjoys quick access to Interstate 66, the major commuter artery of Northern Virginia, without sacrificing the appeal of a quiet homestead in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Rustic home styles are common in Apple Mountain Lake
The narrow, winding roads of Apple Mountain Lake are lined with tall, mature trees that spark with color in the fall. The streets, all named after apple varieties, climb through the rolling foothills of the mountains, home to a unique mix of housing styles. “Quite a few homes there were built in the 1970s and 1980s, but it’s one of those places where people buy a lot and develop it themselves, so build years are sporadic,” Cloud says. “There are so many styles, too. People have log cabins, A-frames, mountain chalets and then there are your regular colonial-style builds.” Prices range from around $270,000 to $530,000, depending on the number of bedrooms, lot size and build year.
The lake in the area is reserved for community residents
The area’s namesake body of water has a small beach and swimming area exclusively for residents and their guests. “Especially in the summer, kids love swimming, kayaking and fishing in that little lake. They’ve got a ramp and a dock, and it has a great view of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Cloud says. “There are also lots of hiking trails around there. There are a few trailheads for the Appalachian Trail if you go east on Route 66. And of course, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Shenandoah, which is popular for boating, swimming and fishing, too.”
Interstate 66 provides quick access to the rest of Northern Virginia
Apple Mountain Lake is not as remote as it may seem, thanks to its proximity to a major Northern Virginia freeway. “The area has an easy commute to Prince William County, Fairfax and even to D.C. – just head east on Interstate 66,” Cloud says. “The trip to Dulles International Airport is actually quite convenient, too. The distance might seem far on a map, but you’re coming from the right direction in terms of traffic, and the speed limit on the highway from that side is 70, so you can go pretty fast. I think that people there have a better commute than from a place like Bealeton, since it’s a straight shot.” John Marshall Highway is the most direct route to Warren Memorial Hospital, roughly 5 miles away.
The Seton Home Study School offers alternative educational pathways
Students are zoned to attend Warren County Public Schools, such as Hilda J. Barbour Elementary, which receives a B-minus from Niche. Warren County Middle also earns a B-minus. Warren County High, home of the Wildcats, scores a B.
The Seton Home Study School, an accredited publisher that assists parents in creating individualized faith-based curricula for home schooling, offers alternative educational pathways.
Riverton Commons is the closest area shopping center
The closest grocery and big-box retailers are in Front Royal, at the junction of Interstate 66 and Winchester Road. The Riverton Commons shopping center is home to Aldi, Walmart Supercenter and Lowe’s Home Improvement. There are also several restaurants here, ranging from national chains like Cracker Barrel and Taco Bell to locally owned spots like Khukuri Nepali Cuisine and Mikado Hibachi and Sushi. Front Royal’s Main Street is lined with coffee shops, breweries and bistros, including Daily Grind Café, Vibrissa Beer and Element, a contemporary American eatery.
