Posted Oct 01, 2016 | Updated Nov 19, 2016

What was once corn fields is now Virginia's largest State Park, Pocahontas State Park.

The pedestrian bridge crosses over Swift Creek Lake

leading to the Forest Exploration Trail

Recently my husband and I were intrigued by the Ken Burn’s Public Broadcast Service documentary “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.” We learned a lot about the Roosevelt family and their contributions to our nation’s history. We learned that during his presidency Teddy Roosevelt was instrumental, through the Antiquities Act, in acquiring additional lands for the National Parks Service.

Upon hearing this I remembered that several of our Virginia State Parks were, at one time, national parks and were given to the state of Virginia to be used as parks. One of those parks was Pocahontas State Park.

In 1936, operated by the National Park Service, the Swift Creek Demonstration Area was the first recreational park in the Richmond-Petersburg-Hopewell area. Several years later it operated as a recreation area for soldiers during the World War II. After the war, the NPS donated the facility to the state of Virginia, making it the largest state park with more than 7,950 acres and it was then named Pocahontas State Park.

The park has plenty of great fishing spots like this one on Swift Creek Lake

Located in the heart of Chesterfield County this urban park is home to two lakes, 80 miles of trails, an Aquatic Center, Nature Center and Civilian Conservation Corps Museum. Fishing is one of the favorite recreational activities for park visitors. Swift Creek Lake and Beaver Lake are home to crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish; and with the name Beaver Lake you can imagine what creatures also makes their home on the lake.

Families enjoy hiking the many miles of trails found in the park

Multi-use trails wind throughout the park and are frequent by hikers, bikers and horseback riders.  Mountain biking has become very popular in the Richmond Metropolitan area.

As part of the 2015 Legacy Project, Pocahontas State Park is part of a Richmond Regional Ride Center. The International Mountain Biking Association along with state and local governments, non-profits and local volunteers are developing additional trails at the park with the goal of attaining the IMBA classification as Regional Ride Center.

Park visitors enjoy mountain biking on the Old Mill Bike Trail

Nestled in the heart of the park is the Heritage Amphitheater where concerts are held during the summer. Local bands and national known artists play on the magnificent stage that is surrounded by a large grassy knoll. The Premieres concert series is a favorite to local families and music lovers.

A Civilian Conservation Corps Museum is located in Pocahontas State Park

When driving through the entrance it’s hard to believe that the park was once fields of corn that were transformed over the past seventy-eight years into the recreational area it is today. The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, located in park, tells the story of the men who developed this area into the foundation of the park you see today.

Pocahontas State Park is located In Chesterfield County, about 20 miles from Richmond. It's easily accessible from Interstate 95, Route 288 and Route 360. For more information and directions, click here or call the park office at 804-796-4255 or send an email.

Editor's Note: This blog originally titled "Introducing the October Park of the Month: Pocahontas State Park" posted on Oct 1, 2014 | Updated on Nov 19, 2016