GENERAL INFO: Deep in the heart of a thick forest in Chesterfield County, Pocahontas State Park is only about 20 miles from downtown Richmond, Virginia's capital. The park on one of Virginia's more popular state parks. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, picnicking, swimming, camping and family-friendly nature programs. Swift Creek Lake and Beaver Lake give visitors a chance for excellent wildlife viewing and fishing. Use Pocahontas as your base camp to visit nearby Civil War Battlefields, amusement parks, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and historic James River plantations.
Park size: 7,950 acres - the largest Virginia State Park. Swift Creek Lake: 150 acres. Beaver Lake: 24 acres.
Weather: Click here to visit the Weather Channel's site for this zip code.
AT-A-GLANCE: The pictographs directly below show park offerings. Click on those of interest or read below for more detail. Mouse-over the image for a short text description or click here to view a legend in which each pictograph's meaning is expressed.
LOCATION: In Chesterfield County, about 20 miles from Richmond. It's easily accessible from Interstate 95, Route 288 and Route 360. See below for detailed directions.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, two hours; Richmond, half an hour; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two hours; Roanoke, three hours
Directions:
From Interstate 95 south of Richmond: Take exit 61 onto Route 10 west, then left onto Route 655 (Beach Road). Go about four miles to State Park Road, which is on the right.
From Interstate 95 north of Richmond: Take Interstate 295 south to Route 10 west (Iron Bridge Road) to Route 655 (Beach Road) to State Park Road.
From 64 west of Richmond: Take Route 288 south to Route 10 east (Iron Bridge Road) to Route 655 (Beach Road) to State Park Road.
From 64 east of Richmond: Take Interstate 295 south to Route 10 west to Route 655 (Beach Road) to State Park Road.
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Latitude, 37.373973. Longitude, -77.571782.
PARK MAP: Here are the park's trail guide and facilities guide (PDF).
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Camping (with Reservation Center) and group cabins (call the park; bunkhouses). 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.
CAMPING: All campsites have electric and water hookups (no sewer), grills, picnic tables and lantern holders. There are centrally located restrooms with hot showers.
- Swimming and boat launch free for overnight campers (group camping customers must pay swimming fees). Refunds will not be given should swimming be unavailable for reasons beyond the park staff's control.
- All sites accept 20 and 30-amp current; a few accept 50-amp.
- Firewood is available for sale in the campground or park office.
- Two vehicles and the camping unit are allowed at each campsite. Extra vehicles must park in parking lot and pay parking fee.
- Each campsite has a steel fire ring that can be used for cooking and campfires.
- Visitors to overnight guests must leave the park by 10 p.m. and are required to pay the daily parking fee.
Total sites of each type: E/W, 114; Buddy, 5
Site type:
E/W - Electric and water hookups; RV’s up to 50 feet, bathhouse with hot showers. Tents must fit on a 20' x 20' tent pad.
Buddy - Buddy site for a maximum of 18 people; electric and water group site; three campsites in each buddy site; tents, pop-ups and RVs up to 40 feet; tents must fit on 20' x 20' tent pad. The cancellation fee for buddy sites is higher; the park's five buddy sites are apart from each other.
Camp Cabins: six sites (Camp Cabins 01-06)
- Units are situated in pairs (01-02, 03-04 and 05-06); each pair shares water spigot and parking
- Linens not provided
- Four people maximum; no extra bed rentals
- No extra tents of other camping units allowed on site
- Two-night minimum
- Week-long stay not required
- No bathroom, kitchen, fireplace, air conditioning or heat
- Four walls, a roof, two sets of bunk-beds with mattresses, a table, four chairs, porch, windows with screens, four electrical outlets, one lighted ceiling fan, an outside picnic table, a fire ring and a lantern post
- Use campground bathhouse for bathroom and showers
- Two-car parking area
- Camp Cabin 06 has ramp entry from parking lot
Other park facilities
Algonquian Ecology Camp and Swift Creek Camp (Camp 3) - In the woods, these two camps offer accommodations for groups wanting to camp together. The camps have from two to four cabin groups and an activity-dining hall that has a kitchen. Each cabin group has four or five cabins (each of which can accommodate from four to six people), a leader's cabin that sleeps two, a shared restroom and shower facility, and a lodge. The cabins are rustic and have bunk beds and mattresses only, as well as a ceiling light. The lodge has a fireplace, an outdoor pit grill, electricity and a water spigot. Each building has screened windows and a campfire ring for cooking or a fire. Each cabin group accommodates up to 28 people. No additional camping units may be used in the area. Group cabin users are required to pay daily swimming fees, although at a reduced rate. Rental of these facilities includes parking.
Powhatan and Swift Creek dining halls - These buildings are part of each group camp and may be rented individually for meetings, wedding receptions and other gatherings. Each hall has a commercial grade kitchen with stainless steel sinks and countertops, a commercial grade refrigerator, a freezer, an ice machine and an oven. Tables and chairs for up to 125 people are included; each building has central heat and air-conditioning. The Swift Creek hall has a gas-log fireplace. Please call the park, (804) 796-4255, for details or to reserve.
Heritage Center - This meeting facility is well-suited for small to medium sized training events and meetings. It accommodates groups as large as 80, depending on the room setup. The building has restrooms, a large outdoor deck, and a small kitchen with household appliances. Audiovisual equipment is available as well.
Heritage Amphitheater - This outdoor venue holds up to 4,000; it's perfect for concerts, stage performances and other large gatherings. The amphitheater has bench seating for up to 350, and additional spectators take seats on a gentle, grassy slope. The area has an elevated stage with backdrop, restrooms, walkways, a concession stand and a ticket booth. Vendors can set up booths, displays and have activities in an adjacent wooded area.
SWIMMING: The park's Pool and Aquatic Recreation Center is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day. Click here for park fees. During summer months, enjoy a day of free swimming for each night of overnight camping for registered guests. However, it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances. Group cabin and lodge guests do not receive free swimming but receive discounted swimming prices - please refer to the fees pages for details.
Those who wish to register for the group rate (minimum 20 people) for using the aquatic center must call the park office at least five days in advance of arrival. All group swim fees must be paid at one time when entering the swimming facility.
TRAILS: Hiking, biking, bridle trails. Pocahontas State Park offers five miles of hiking trails around Beaver Lake, a five mile bicycle trail and a trail accessible for persons with disabilities. In addition, numerous trails accessible to hikers and bicyclists wind through the surrounding woodlands. There are also approximately 10 miles of bridle trails. The park also has several single-track mountain bike trails ranging from easy to expert levels.
Visit the Explore Virginia Outdoors website for enhanced maps and video tours of Pocahontas' trails.
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 Pocahontas.
View all wildlife encounter photos from Pocahontas.
FISHING, BOATING: During daylight hours only, enjoy fishing Swift Creek and Beaver Lake. Private boats may be used on Swift Creek Lake. Gas-powered boats are prohibited, but electric motors are allowed. A valid Virginia fishing license is required and may be purchased at the park office when it's open. The park rents canoes, kayaks and rowboats from Memorial Day through Labor Day at Swift Creek Lake. When the lake is frozen, boat ramps and boat rentals are unavailable.
HUNTING: Permitted in specified areas of the park during designated hunting seasons. Contact the park at (804) 796-4255 for details. Reservation hunts are held each year for deer herd management. Click here (PDF) to see when the hunt is held and its sign-up deadline.
HORSES: No horse rentals, but there are more than 10 miles of bridle trails within the park's multiple-use trail system. Bring your own horse. No overnight accommodations for horses at the park. You'll find full-service equine facilities, Brandywine Farms and Beaver Hollow Farm, nearby. Horses may disembark at the Bright Hope Horse Complex, the horse trailer parking lot on Beach Road or the Dvorak Forest Trail parking area. State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a negative Coggins report with each horse brought to the park.
Bright Hope Horse Complex: Complete with a large parking lot, picnic tables, a restroom and two exercise rings (50 by 100 feet and 20 by 60 feet), this day-use facility offers equestrians easy access to the Bright Hope Multi-use Trail. The rings may be used by individuals for training – daily fee required – or may be reserved for group use during daylight hours. Contact the reservation center at 800-933-PARK (7275) to reserve the space.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Each year from late spring through early fall, the park hosts the Pocahontas Premieres concert series at its spacious amphitheater. It's a great value and fun for the whole family.
Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: A gift shop with souvenirs and park mementos is in the main park office by the park entrance. A camp store in the campground also has souvenirs, toiletry items, camping supplies, snacks and s'more fixings. Hours vary by season.
NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Pocahontas presents many programs for park visitors during the year. Programs include guided nature hikes, campfire programs, family and children’s programs, and night hikes. Also, the park is the perfect outdoor classroom for students of all ages. Its staff provides outreach and onsite programs that are available on request. They are geared to public school standards of learning (SOL) curricula and, in most cases, can be adapted to individual class needs. Fees are based on the particular program, number of students and time involved. Pocahontas also has special programs – Discovery Field Trips – just for public and private school groups. Click here (PDF) for details on those environmental education offerings. Call (804) 796-4472 for details. Call (804) 796-4472 for details.
CCC Museum: In 1933, the country was in the grips of the Great Depression. Millions were out of work and hungry. As part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, 500,000 unemployed young men were put to work in forests, parks and rangelands across the country. Thus the Civilian Conservation Corps was born. Visit the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum, housed in an original CCC building, to see highlights of their many accomplishments in Virginia.
Be sure to enjoy this year's Pocahontas Premieres! summer performances, featuring rising and established performers from across the state. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: None.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Richmond Area - Edgar Allan Poe Museum and Old Stone House, Wilton House Museum, St. John’s Church, Maymont Park, Richmond International Raceway, Museum and White House of Confederacy, Monument Avenue, Executive Mansion, Capitol Square, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Science Museum of Virginia, Valentine Museum, Colonial Downs, Historic Chesterfield Museum Complex (includes Magnolia Grange and Chesterfield County Museum), Hollywood Cemetery, the historic James River, Richmond and Petersburg National Park system, Tredegar Iron Works, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Berkeley Plantation, Shirley Plantation. The park is less than 90 minutes from historic Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg. Also, visit www.chesterfieldtourism.com for a list of attractions near the park. You'll find Ironbridge Sports Park nearby, which has a driving range, miniature golf, batting cages and more. Beaver Hollow Farm, which has guided equestrian trail rides and lessons, is close to the park. Also, nearby Brandywine Farms offers equestrian trail rides, pony rides, boarding, summer camps, hunting lessons and more.
PICNIC SHELTERS: The park's seven shelters are available for rent through the Reservations Center at 1-800-933-PARK. There are two sizes, large and small. Shelters 2, 3, 4 and 5 are large; shelters 1, 6, and 7 are small. Parking fees are not included in shelter rental. Click here for park fees. Shelters can be rented from 8 a.m. to dark (all day).
Those who also wish to register for the group rate at the aquatic center must give the park a full week's notice so that park staff can adjust lifeguard staffing and ensure that too many groups are not registered for the same time.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.
- Shelter 1 (small): This shelter accommodates 30-40. It's adjacent to the playground and near a restroom. It's in a heavily wooded area, and there are many additional tables nearby under the trees. There is a 160-foot walk on a level gravel walkway to the parking lot, but there is no vehicle access directly at the shelter for unloading. The shelter has a large grill and is available for rent year-round. There are no electrical outlets or water spigots.
- Shelter 2 (large): This shelter accommodates 70-80. It is the closest to the aqua center/pool complex, boating areas and restroom, and it overlooks Swift Creek Lake. There is a paved walkway to the restrooms and aqua center. Horseshoe pits and volleyball nets are just downhill of the shelter. (Patrons must bring their own equipment.) The area around this shelter is moderately shaded and grassy, and this shelter is available for rent year-round. There is a large grill for cooking, but no water spigot or electrical outlets are provided.
- Shelter 3 (large): This shelter accommodates 70-80. It is about 400 feet from the aqua center/pool complex and boating areas. It overlooks a steep, fenced drop-off to Swift Creek Lake. It's near facilities but far enough away for peaceful, quiet picnicking. A large picnic grill is provided. The shelter is not well suited for seniors as there's a steep, 60-foot downhill walk from the parking lot. It is in a wooded, well-shaded area. The shelter has no water or electricity and no vehicle access for unloading.
- Shelter 4 (large): This shelter accommodates 70-80, with no additional tables around the shelter. This shelter is not within easy walking distance to the aqua center/pool, playground, and boating areas. It has paved walkways and is only 10 feet from parking. It has handicapped picnic tables, a large grill and a water spigot. The restroom is 120 feet away. This shelter is in a moderately wooded area; a small stream well suited for novice or young anglers is only a short walk away. There is no electricity.
- Shelter 5 (large): This shelter accommodates 70-80. It is not within easy walking distance to the aqua center/pool, playground and boating areas. This shelter features a fireplace, water spigot, large grill and handicapped picnic tables. It's in a moderately shaded area; a small stream well suited for novice or young anglers is only a short walk away. The shelter is 40 feet from parking and 160 feet from the restroom. There is no electricity. There is no vehicle access (for unloading) directly adjacent to this shelter.
- Shelter 6 (small): This shelter accommodates 30-40 and there are no additional tables around the shelter. This shelter is not within easy walking distance to the aqua center/pool, playground and boating areas. This shelter does feature a water spigot, large grill and handicapped picnic tables. The shelter is moderately shaded and a small stream that is well suited for novice or young anglers is nearby. The shelter is 100 feet from parking and 375 feet from the restroom. There are no electrical outlets. There is no vehicular access (for unloading) next to this shelter.
- Shelter 7 (small): This shelter accommodates 30-40; there are no additional tables nearby. This shelter is not within easy walking distance to the aqua center/pool, playground and boating areas. There is a paved walkway 30 feet from the parking area. The restroom is about 350 feet away. This shelter is moderately shaded. The shelter has a water spigot, handicapped tables and large grill. There is no electricity.
| Distances | Restroom |
Parking lot |
Pool & boat rentals |
| Shelter 1 | 200' |
160' |
520' (just over hill) |
| Shelter 2 | 50' |
50' |
140' (closest shelter) |
| Shelter 3 | 200' |
60' |
400' (just over hill) |
| Shelter 4 | 120' |
10' |
too far for easy walk |
| Shelter 5 | 160' |
40' |
too far for easy walk |
| Shelter 6 | 375' |
100' |
too far for easy walk |
| Shelter 7 | 350' |
30' |
too far for easy walk |
- Campground: There are three ADA-compliant sites with extended picnic tables. The bathhouses are fully accessible.
- Conference facilities: The Heritage Center is ground level and accessible.
Picnic area: Shelters 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 are ground level and handicapped accessible. Pedestal grills are included.
- Swimming pool: The pool concession, pool and bathhouses are all ground level and accessible. Those needing help getting in the pool should contact pool staff; a sling lift is available. Handicapped parking is in the main parking lot, and sidewalks lead to the pool entrance.
- CCC Museum: Fully accessible by ramp.
- Trails and fishing: The Spillway Trail behind the CCC Museum is paved for accessibility. This trail goes down a hill to the Beaver Lake dam where guests may view wildlife. Accessible fishing and easy parking are available at the park's Swift Creek Lake boat ramp.
- Amphitheater: The outdoor amphitheater is accessible, with paved sidewalks from the ticket booth area. The park provides assistance to guests to get to and from the amphitheater parking lot and seating for park-sponsored events.
- Group cabin areas: Dining hall, lodges and bathhouses are all accessible. Sleeping cabins still not accessible as each has two or three entrance steps.
- Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.
SPECIAL FEATURES: CCC Museum: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum is housed in an original CCC building. It highlights the many accomplishments of the CCC.
CONCESSIONS: The park has an impressive, fun-filled pool aquatic center, boat rentals and a snack bar during summer months. Open year-round, a gift shop in the park office offers souvenirs.
LAUNDRY: A facility with three washers and driers, a soap machine and a change machine is in the campground. It's open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
HISTORY: Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), this was the first recreational park in the Richmond-Petersburg-Hopewell area. The National Park Service donated the facility to Virginia State Parks in 1946, making it the largest Virginia state park with more than 7,950 acres and two small lakes. The area was renamed Pocahontas State Park and Pocahontas State Forest and was operated under a cooperative management arrangement with the Department of Forestry. In 1989 a new master plan, funded jointly by the Commonwealth of Virginia and Chesterfield County, called for expansion of park facilities to accommodate the large urban population surrounding the park. Today the entire area is operated as Pocahontas State Park.
The park is named after Pocahontas, the famed daughter of Chief Powhatan, who was ruler over the tribes in the Powhatan Confederacy of the Algonquin Nation. Legend has it that she saved Captain John Smith’s life when he was held captive by the Powhatan Confederacy. Pocahontas, known at the time of her death as Lady Rebecca Rolfe, died in London from an undetermined illness.
FRIENDS GROUP: Feel like lending nature a hand? The Pocahontas State Park Friends group is a hands-on volunteer 501c3 organization dedicated to preserving and supporting the park. Visit its website to learn how you can help out.
CONTACT INFO: Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832-6355; phone, (804) 796-4255; email, pocahontas. Learn more about park offerings by calling 1-800-933-PARK or email resvs. Be sure to specify the park of interest.
This park was supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund: Helping states and communities provide outdoor recreation and open space for all Americans.
Visit Explore Virginia Outdoors for virtual tours of state parks' trails and more.