GENERAL INFO: James River State Park, six miles down river from Bent Creek, opened June 20, 1999. The park has three miles of river frontage, 1,500 acres of rolling farm meadows, three fishing ponds, beautiful vistas, 15 miles of hiking trails and quiet forests.
The waters of the James have shaped life in this area's past and will shape its future. Monacan Indians, the earliest known settlers, hunted, fished and traveled the river. In the early 1700s, the Cabell family settled along the river, cultivated the rich soils of the floodplain and shipped produce down river to Richmond. A flat-bottomed boat known as the bateau was invented and the Kanawha canal was built to make travel and shipping on the river easier. The James River brought people to this area, provided for their needs and helped them build a future.
The park offers opportunities to explore the wildlife and habitat native to the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Whether floating, fishing or hiking, you can enjoy breathtaking views found only at James River State Park.
Note: The park is closed for reservation hunts Nov. 10-12, Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17 in 2008.
LOCATION: Buckingham
County. From U.S. 60 West, turn right onto Route 605 (Riverside Dr.) at
the James River Bridge. Travel seven miles, then turn left onto Route 606.
PARK MAP: Here's a map of the park (PDF). You'll need a copy of the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view the map.
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: The park has primitive camping, regular camping, a camping lodge (bunkhouse), cabins and lodges. For information on availability of 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.
Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.
Lodges: Lodge 5 (L005-SAT) begins renting weekly during prime season on Saturday; Lodge 16 (L016-SUN) begins renting weekly on Sunday.
Cabins: During prime season, cabins 1-4 and 6-9 begin renting weekly on Saturday. Cabins 10-15 and 17 begin renting weekly on Sunday. No bed rentals. Late arriving guests will find on the entrance station door a note with instructions detailing how to register the following morning, as well as a park map with directions to the cabin. If possible, call the park beforehand to arrange to pick up the key if you think you’ll arrive late.
Total sites of each cabin type: 2-bedroom frame, 9; 2-bedroom frame waterview, 4; 3-bedroom frame, 1; 3-bedroom frame wateview, 1; 6-bedroom lodge, 2
Site Types
2-bedroom frame cabin - maximum six people, one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four)
2-bedroom frame cabin wateview - maximum six people, one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four)
3-bedroom frame cabin - maximum eight people, one queen bed, two single beds in second bedroom, two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four) in third bedroom
3-bedroom frame cabin waterview - maximum eight people, one queen bed, two single beds in second bedroom, two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four) in third bedroom
6-bedroom lodge – maximum 16 people, three baths, handicapped accessible, two queen size beds in two bedrooms, two single beds in two bedrooms, two sets of bunk beds each in two bedrooms (sleeps four in each room)
Total: 15 cabins; 2 lodges.
Camping: Camping reservations are highly recommended - call 1-800-933-7275. his park has three campgrounds. Two of them, Branch Pond and Canoe Landing, are open year-round for primitive camping. There are primitive restrooms in each campground. Drinking water is unavailable in the primitive campgrounds, but potable water is available at five of the six picnic shelters. Canoe Landing is the only campground on the river.
Red Oak Campground has 30 regular sites with water and electricity and a full service bathhouse with laundry facilities. The campground, about 1.5 miles from the primitive campgrounds, is open annually from March 1 to first Monday in December. It is not on the river. Reservations are not site specific. Check-in is 4 p.m.; check-out is 3 p.m. If you arrive earlier than 4 p.m., the park will accommodate you as soon as possible. You are welcome to enjoy the park until then.
Campers without a reservation (i.e., walk-ins) should take extra care to make sure a site is available before using the honor system and setting up. Park staff members assign reserved sites by 4 p.m.; sites not posted by that time may be used by walk-ins on a nightly basis.
Note: You must have your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter with you at check-in. If someone else is checking in for you, make sure that person has reservation information. Be prepared to show a valid ID.
Primitive sites
Branch Pond (7 sites about two miles from the river; BranchPondPrimTent) - In wooded area, tents only.
Canoe Landing (13 sites along the river; CanoeLandingPrimTent) - Little shade, tents only. There's a short walk from vehicle parking to the actual campsite. These sites are to the left of the canoe launch when facing the river. Branch Pond (7 sites in wooded area), tents only. These sites are about two miles from the river.
Canoe Landing Group Campsite (one site; CLGroupCampsitePrim) - There's one group site near the canoe landing. The site accommodates up to 42 people - no hookups, tents only. It's near a restroom and features a fire-ring with a flip grill, five picnic tables and a pedestal grill.
Canoe Landing Horse Campsites (five sites; CLGroupHorsePrim) - Primitive horse camping only. There are no amenities. The sites are shaded and beside Running Creek Trail near the canoe landing. Four covered and two open stalls are available for rent. Tents, popups and RVs up to 30 feet in length allowed. Only one horse trailer-RV is permitted per site. Horses must be in a stall or on a tether pole across from campsites. No electric fencing permitted.
Canoe Landing Horse Group Campsite (one site; CLGroupHorsePrim) - Primitive group horse campsite. Maximum number of people on site is 36. Site features water, seven horse stalls, posts for extra horses and allows electric fencing. Maximum number of horses allowed on site is 36. It accommodates large horse trailers and has no hook-ups.
(Note: There is a $30 fee for canceling a group camping reservation.)
Red Oak Campground regular (RedOakEW40ft) sites
Electric and water hookups; the sites are shaded and can accommodate various equipment (tents, pop-ups and RVs) up to 40 feet. The sites have a large area for tents and wide driveways for bump-outs. Only sites in Red Oak Campground have water and electricity; the rest of the park’s sites are primitive.
Total sites of each type: RedOakEW40ft, 30; CanoeLandingPrimTent, 13; BranchPondPrimTent, 7; CLGroupCampsitePrim, 1; CLHorsePrimCampsite, 5; CLGroupHorsePrim, 1
A contact station is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends after Labor Day when weather is suitable. Otherwise honor parking and camping are strictly enforced.
Camping Lodge (bunkhouse): James River State Park has one camping lodge (bunkhouse) for rent. The two-room trailer has seven sets of bunk beds, a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffeepot, deck, and heating and air conditioning. Outside the lodge is a shelter with two picnic tables, fire ring and a charcoal grill. Cooking and smoking are not permitted inside the lodge. Five vehicles are permitted with rental of the lodge; all other vehicles must pay the park's daily parking fee. No week-long stay requirement, but there is a two-night minimum stay.
Total campsites: 57
A contact station is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, and on weekends afterwards when weather is suitable. Otherwise honor parking and camping are strictly enforced.
TRAILS: The park has nearly 15 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and bridle use. Green Hill Trail and the fishing pier are wheelchair accessible.
FISHING,
BOATING: Freshwater fishing -James River State Park has three
fishing ponds and three miles of river frontage. A valid state fishing license
is required and may be purchased at the park.
Boating - This park has a canoe launch in the Canoe Landing area and a trailer boat launch at Dixon Landing.
Click here to learn about the park's special Outdoor Adventures Livery Service - enjoy a special trip out on the water, or rent a canoe, kayak, tube or bike.
HUNTING: Click here to learn about this park's hunting opportunities.
HORSES: None, but visitors may bring their own horses to use bridle trails.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: Visit the gift shop or canoe livery camp store.
NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Programs are offered Wednesday through Monday from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on some weekends during spring and fall by request. They include hikes, campfire programs, canoe floats, wagon rides, children's programs, crafts and more.
The park also hosts educational programs during the school year, and outreach programs are available to schools in Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Nelson and Prince Edward counties.
The park can accommodate special requests with prior arrangements; call (434) 933-4395 or email jamesriver@dcr.virginia.gov.
Offerings include Memorial Day weekend activities, the James River Raft Race, Independence Day festivities, Bluegrass Under the Stars, Sky Watch Astronomy programs, Labor Day weekend fun, the annual Fall Festival and Haunted Wagon Ride and much more. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: The Nature Center has live native reptiles and amphibians on display seasonally. Also, there are hands-on activities and exhibits. The center hosts several interpretive programs including Creature Features and crafts programs. Call (434) 933-4395 or email jamesriver@dcr.virginia.gov for details or to set up a program.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.
PICNIC SHELTERS: Six picnic shelters and seven picnicking areas. Also an amphitheater (see under special offerings). Click here for park fees.
Picnic Shelters
Six shelters are available for rent. They can be rented from 8 a.m. to dark (all day). Parking fees are not included in the shelter rental. All shelters are handicapped accessible.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee that is deducted from the refund.
Amenities: All shelters feature an extra large party grill (1,368 square inches), and access to restroom facilities. All are handicap accessible and all except shelter six have a water hydrant. All shelters accommodate up to 75 people. Three shelters have electricity and a light.
Shelter 1: In the picnic area on the way to the canoe landing campsites. Surrounded by woods on three sides, close to the comfort station (100 feet). Large parking lot. The shelter features an electrical outlet and lights.
Shelter 2: In the picnic area on the way to the canoe landing campsites. Woods surround this shelter. It's the most secluded shelter and is about 300 feet from the comfort station. There's a small parking lot, but more parking is nearby.
Shelter 3: Near the amphitheater. It includes two horseshoe pits and a sand volleyball court - conveniently located near Shelter 4 for larger groups. Five hundred feet from the comfort station. Large parking lot with separate driveway.
Shelter 4: Near the amphitheater with a view of Green Hill Pond and the river. In open area above pond with better view of pond and river. About 100 feet from the comfort station. Parking pull off with additional parking nearby. The shelter features an electrical outlet and lights. Near Shelter 3.
Shelter 5: Beside Green Hill Pond; offers the best view of pond and river. Four hundred feet from the comfort station. One hundred feet from a wheelchair accessible trail and fishing pier. Small parking lot with additional parking nearby. The shelter features an electrical outlet and lights.
Shelter 6: Located 300 feet from Dixon Landing, this shelter has a great view of the river. Hillside area close to Dixon Landing boat ramp. Has pull-off parking and additional parking nearby. The comfort station is about 1,000 feet away, near Green Hill Pond.
CONCESSIONS: The James River State Park Canoe Livery. Canoes, kayaks, tubes and bicycles can be rented at James River State Park Outdoor Adventures (livery) in the canoe landing area. The livery sells basic camping supplies, various snacks, beverages, t-shirts, hats, souvenirs and more.
LAUNDRY: Washers and dryers are in the Red Oak Campground bathhouse.
RESTAURANT: The livery has ice, food, snacks, ice cream, frozen drinks, soda and more. There is a country store at Bent Creek (intersection with Rt. 605 and Rt. 60), approximately seven miles from the park where Routes 60 and 605 intersect. The nearest restaurants are in Appomattox and Amherst.
HISTORY: The park formally opened to the public June 20, 1999. There are 13 primitive campsites by the river and seven others by Branch Pond. There are also five individual horse sites, four covered horse sites, two open stalls, a primitive group site and a group horse site. The park also features 30 water and electric sites, 15 cabins and two lodges. James River has 15 miles of multiple use trails (hike, bike, horse), three fishing ponds, three restrooms, six picnic shelters and a concrete boat ramp. Wheelchair accessible features include the Green Hill Pond Trail and wagon rides.
