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Powhatan State Park Campground Opens Nov. 1
The most perfect fall day enticed me to drive out to Powhatan State Park to snap a few photos of their new campground a few days before the opening. It might seem odd to open with just a little over a month left in the camping season but with forecasted temps in the 80s next week, I think it is a fabulous idea.
Campground entrance
River Bend Campground - sites are NOT water view - features 30 campsites (one is for the camp host who is ready to go). Fourteen of the sites will be reserved by specific site and the others will be reserved with campers selecting from available sites upon arrival. We had the luxury of applying our new hybrid reservation system to this new facility.
Camp host site
All sites are 55 feet or more, have electric hookups for 20, 30 and 50 amp service and a water spigot. There is a dump station. Sites include a picnic table, fire ring, lantern hanger, and a 25' x 35' tent pad. As with all our developed campsites, the camping fee covers up to two vehicles and up to six people. Two camping units are allowed but only one can be axled.
| Camping Fees | EW | EW site specific |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Resident | $30 per night | $33 per night |
| Non-Resident | $35 per night | $38 per night |
Add Virginia sales tax and $5 transaction fee per reservation.
The campground features large sites
The bathhouse is our newest design and is very family friendly. There are eight unisex cubicles each with toilet and sink, four on each side of the building, reached from outside. We listened when we heard about challenges with parents with small children of the opposite sex that were too old to bring into the wrong sex bathroom; or older family members of the opposite sex that needed assistance. Four shower cubicles run along the back. We have been using this family-friendly design for several years now. The front of the bathhouse features a laundry facility and both sides include an outdoor sink and counter.
Our newest family friendly bathhouse design
Click here to find a chart of the site specific site details and pictures of each of the site specific sites. Roll your mouse over the sites to see the site number or click on each one.
Reservations are always recommended and can be made up until 2 p.m. on the day of arrival on line or by calling the Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also book up to 11 months in advance so you might think about reserving a site for the summer holidays in 2017. This campground is going to be popular.
Horseback riders are now able to ride the park's trails
Our equestrian users will be happy to hear that the park is now open to horseback riding. I just missed these folks loading up their horses. The park has nearly 7 miles of multi-use trails appropriate for equestrian use (click here for the park's trail map (PDF). Horse trailers must park in the Trailhead/Equestrian parking lot.
Trailhead and Equestrian parking
After taking pictures and enjoying the beautiful day I stopped by the pumpkin decorating program and talked to some of the park staff. They were all excited about having the new campground provide an additional draw to get more visitors to their beautiful park. I'd include a picture of the two pumpkins I decorated but painting is not one of my talents.
From where I live in eastern Henrico, Powhatan isn't that much farther to get to than Pocahontas and the drive was peaceful out I-64 and to Goochland, over the James River on Rt. 522 and to Powhatan.
Note: the park's web page has not been updated at this writing to include the updates related to the campground and horseback riding. Check back soon.
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.
