Powhatan State Park

General Information

You'll find Powhatan State Park in the northwest corner of Powhatan County on the historic James River. The park has diverse wildlife habitat, from open fields to upland hardwood forests. Guests can use the park's car-top boat slide to access the river. Other amenities include a canoe-in campground, multi-use trails, wildlife observation areas, picnic shelters and a playground.

Hours

Dawn - dusk.

Location

The park's address is 4616 Powhatan State Park Rd., Powhatan, VA 23139. Latitude, 37.659728. Longitude, -77.922978.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, two hours; Richmond, 45 minutes; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two and a half hours; Roanoke, three hours

Directions:
From Interstate 95 north of Richmond: Take Interstate 64 west to Route 288 south to Route 711 west (Huguenot Trail). Stay on 711 for about 13 miles until reaching Rt. 522 (Maidens Rd.). Turn right and drive about 4 miles to Route 617 west (Old River Trail). Turn left and go about 1.5 miles to the park entrance on the right. 
From 64 west of Richmond: Take Route 288 south to Route 711 west (Huguenot Trail). Stay on 711 for about 13 miles until reaching Rt. 522 (Maidens Rd.). Turn right and drive about 4 miles to Route 617 west (Old River Trail). Turn left and go about 1.5 miles to the park entrance on the right.
From 64 east of Richmond: Take Interstate 64 west through Richmond to Route 288 south and exit onto Route 711 west (Huguenot Trail). Stay on 711 for about 13 miles until reaching Rt. 522 (Maidens Rd.). Turn right and drive about 4 miles to Route 617 west (Old River Trail). Turn left and go about 1.5 miles to the park entrance on the right.
From Interstate 95 south of Richmond: Take Interstate Route 288 north to Route 60 west. At Route 522 north, turn (Maidens Road) and go about 7 miles to Route 617 west (Old River Trail). Turn left on Old River Trail and drive about 1.5 miles to the park entrance on the right.

Park Size

1,565 acres.

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Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

For information on availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.

Cabins: None in the park, but nearby Bear Creek Lake and Twin Lakes state parks have cabins.

Camping: A canoe-in campground, accessible by the James River, has six primitive sites (no electricity or water) and is open year-round. The campground has a toilet but no bathhouse. Nearby Bear Creek Lake, Pocahontas, Holliday Lake and Twin Lakes state parks also have camping.

Recreation

TRAILS

The park has about 7.3 miles of multi-use trails through various habitats including field edge, upland pine forest and mature hardwoods. The trails provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife.

SWIMMING

There are no designated swimming areas.

FISHING, BOATING

The park has about 2.5 miles of James River waterfront accessible by a canoe slide launch at the end of River Launch Rd. Boats launched from boat trailers are not permitted on the slide. A Department of Game and Inland Fisheries boat launch at Maidens off route 522 just north of the park, however, allows such access. Fishing access to the river bank is limited because of high bluffs, but easier access is being worked on. Fishing licenses are required and are available from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Visitors launching a canoe or kayak from the park may enjoy a 5-mile float down river to the Maidens boat launch. This stretch of water is generally flat. Check with this National Weather Service web page for current river water levels.

HORSES

Bridle trails are being developed but are not yet available.

Park Trail Guide

Click here for the park's trail guide.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby state parks: Bear Creek Lake, Holliday Lake, Pocahontas, Sailor’s Creek Battlefield, and Twin Lakes.

Powhatan and Goochland counties offer many enjoyable restaurants, shops, farmer markets, historic sites and other family friendly activities, as well as wineries and breweries.

Picnic Shelters

The park has three large picnic shelters. Each has picnic tables and a large charcoal grill. None has electricity or water. Parking fees are not included with the shelter rental fees and must be paid upon entering the park.

Shelter 1 is surrounded by grass and woods in an upland area of the park, more than a mile from the river. It is about 100 feet from a restroom and an accessible playground, and 40 feet from a parking lot. The land around the shelter is flat, and a gravel path leads from the parking lot sidewalk.

Shelter 2 is surrounded by grass and woods in the upland area of the park, more than a mile from the river. It is about 75 feet from a restroom and an accessible playground, and 40 feet from a parking lot. The land around the shelter is flat, and a gravel path leads from the parking lot sidewalk.

Shelter 3 is next to the river near the boat slide launch. The shelter is within 300 feet of a restroom (no water) and small parking area. There is additional parking 500 feet away. The area around the shelter is flat and wooded. A gravel path leads from the parking area to the shelter.

Picnic shelters are available by reservation by calling the Customer Service Center at 800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees. Shelters can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all day).

Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.

Meeting Space and Facilities

MEETING FACILITIES

The park has no indoor meeting facilities, but picnic shelters are available to rent year-round.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP

A gift shop is in the park office. The contact station houses another shop in-season. Stop by for a Powhatan State Park t-shirt, pin, patch, hiking medallion and other fun items.

RESTAURANT

None within the park but there are numerous nearby eateries in Powhatan and Goochland counties.

LAUNDRY

None at this park.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

None, but visitors may view displays and exhibits are the park office. Nature programs are held at various locations in the park.

SPECIAL FEATURES

There are horseshoe pits by the river picnic area. Visit the park office to borrow horseshoes. GPS units also may be rented from the office and contact station during operating hours. Park Packs, which are filled with manuals, guides and activity plans, are available for free at those facilities as well during regular operating hours. Contact the park for details.

Other Info

ACCESSIBILITY

• Restrooms: All are accessible.
• Playground: The playground has an ADA-compliant swing set, transfer platform on the climbing structure and sidewalk leading to the area from a parking lot.
• Shelters: Extended picnic tables, a gravel walkway leading from parking lot to shelter and a smooth concrete floor.
• Parking: Designated parking areas are near the shelters, office, restrooms, contact station and trail heads.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS

Click here to view all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs. Contact the park for information about field trips.

CONCESSIONS

None at this park.

HISTORY

Powhatan State Park was the vision of many in the Powhatan County community and several members of the general assembly. In 2003, 1,564 acres were transferred from the Department of Juvenile Justice to the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the development of a park. It is meant to fill a need in central Virginia for a state park with access to the James River and with day-use and overnight facilities.

FRIENDS GROUP

Feel like lending nature a hand? The Friends of Powhatan State Park is a group of hands-on volunteers dedicated to preserving the park and supporting its mission. Membership applications are available through the group or the park office.

MASTER PLAN

Master plans must be written for parks before they're built. The plans are updated at least once every 10 years thereafter. The plans cover the size, types, infrastructure and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Three public meetings are held during the initial development of each plan. Click here for this park's master plan.

WILDLIFE

Virginia State Parks are great places to discover and reconnect with the wild world. Bring a camera and share your captures with the world. But please don't disturb or get too close to the animals. The park is, after all, their home. Here are a few recent natural encounters others have had at Powhatan State Park.

View all wildlife encounter photos from Powhatan State Park.