Pocahontas State Park

Pocahontas State Park

Just 20 miles from Richmond, Pocahontas offers boating, picnicking, camping, camping cabins, 90-plus miles of trails, and nature and history programs.

I visited on a warm July day to scope out the hiking trails and waterfront areas. There are several people who go strictly to fish and paddle-boat on the lake. However, if you’re looking for a shady place to hike and enjoy the scenery, this is a great place to be. However, be mindful to wear decent hiking shoes, or your feet will be crying for help halfway through the hike.

My favorite part of this adventure was seeing all the baby toads that would surprise me, hopping along the path, as well as the variety of fungi which populated the area. I look forward to visiting in the fall, when the foliage will be spectacular!

The park’s other amenities include:

Three lakes that offer plenty of fishing. Boat rentals are available seasonally by the 225-acre Swift Creek Lake.

The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, dedicated to Depression-era workers who helped build the state park system, is one of a handful in the nation.

The Aquatic Center, which has a toddler pool, fountain wet deck, three-foot and five-foot-deep leisure pools, an activity pool and two tubular water slides, affords seasonal water-based activities for all (Please note – this has been closed during 2020).

The park’s 2,000-seat amphitheater hosts the Pocahontas Premieres series of concerts and family-friendly entertainment (Also closed during 2020).

Pocahontas State Park’s location and 90 miles of trails make it particularly popular among bicyclists.

(Source: Pocahontas State Park. (n.d.). Retrieved August 06, 2020, from https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/pocahontas)