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Quick Bits
Quick Bits
Main Activities - Hike, bike, camp
Distance - ~10 miles of hiking trails
Quiet - fairly quiet, some road noise depending on trail
Surface - easy, maintained dirt & grass
Elevation - relatively flat
Pets - leash required
Address - 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA
Fee - Parking Fee
Click Image for PSP Trail Guide. With over 90 miles of multi-use trails, I recommend getting detailed maps or use of an App. There is also a large Avenza Map.
In a Nutshell
In a Nutshell
Pocahontas State Park is 20 miles outside of Richmond, Virginia and boasts something for everyone. Trails for mountain bikes, hikers, and horses; boat rentals, camping, fishing. Over 90 miles of total trails. There is also a Visitors Center and a unique museum dedicated to the Civilian Conservation Corps. And much more
Location and Parking
Location and Parking
There are a number of parking lots throughout the 7920-acre park. Check maps for the ones closest to your activity. Note there is a per-car fee for parking. Not all entrances are staffed, so in some lots you'll find a drop box for parking fee and/or a QR-code to go to the website to pay on-line. See the Virginia State Park Fees page for more information.
For the Bright Hope Trail hike, I used the parking lot off Beach Road that also services horse trailers. Just be kind and give the larger vehicles easy access.
Also note that at times there is active timber harvesting, so pay attention for the heavy equipment and give them space.
More details
More details
With over twelve square miles there is a lot inside the boundaries of Pocahontas State Park. My visit didn't even really scratch the surface. Within the forested park, there are three lakes allowing for fishing and boating (rentals available). There is also a pool area, listed as the Aquatic Center. Swimming in the lakes is prohibited. Besides the traditional flavors of camping, Pocahontas also offers cottages, cabins, bunkhouses, and yurts. Some require a minimum of 6-day rental stays.
The trail system is pretty complex with over 90 miles in total. A subset is restricted to hikers, but there are also mountain bike trails, horseback trails, and multi-use trails. The fire roads are also available for some use. The hiking trails are relatively easy. The MTB trails are marked easy, moderate, and difficult. Because of the mixture of use on some trails, pay attention.
Pocahontas, like many other state parks, was started during the depression by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). But has had many improvements over the years. There is a unique museum at the Park dedicated to the CCC and the history.
Pocahontas State Park seems very active in terms of the Park involvement with the community. A 2000-seat amplitheatre offers concerts and family-friendly shows throughout the summer. Various interpretive tours are offered by rangers. And for those with children, check out the Junior Ranger Guide.
Wander & Ponder Videos Recorded Here
Wander & Ponder Videos Recorded Here
Reassured in Pocahontas SP (Ep. 29)
April 27, 2024
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