Just across the James River from historic Jamestown in beautiful Surry County, Chippokes is one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country. A working farm since 1619, the park offers modern recreational activities and a glimpse of life in a bygone era.

You can sit back and relax, or if you want you can stay busy with a plethora of fun activities at this great Virginia State Park.

If you want, Chippokes State Park can keep you busy from sun-up to sun-down

Visitors tour the historic area with its antebellum mansion and outbuildings, stroll through formal gardens, and view antique equipment at the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum. A campground and four overnight cabins allow visitors to stay on the historic grounds. The park has a visitor center with a gift shop. It also provides opportunities to bike, hike, ride horseback and picnic.

DAY ONE - HIT THE WATER

PADDLE

Experience another side of Chippokes State Park that most never see

Put your kayak in at College Run Creek and paddle through this natural oasis

Since Chippokes State Park sits comfortably along the shores of the historic James River, you just have got to start out your visit by spending time out on the water. 

There is no motorized boat launching at this park, which is perfect if you just want to paddle and not deal with loud boaters and jet skis. And although there is no developed launch for kayaks or canoes, they can easily be launched along College Run Creek and the James River. This is a neat place to drop your canoe or kayak in the water. From there you can either go up College Run Creek or out on the James River. Go right onto the Creek and you experience a different part of the park. The paddling here is gentle and you feel like you are a part of the landscape as you watch Eagles and a variety of wading and songbirds in the tall grasses.

 

BEACHCOMB

Calling all fossil hounds to explore Chippokes State Park beach

Find the state fossil of Virginia Chesapecten jeffersonius along the shores of the James River 

One of the favorite past-times of visitors at Chippokes State Park is to beachcomb for fossils along the James. You won't have to search for them as they are piled up and exposed as the tidal brackish river ebbs and flows. You can participate in a Fossil Walk. Join an interpreter for an adventure through the abundant fossil beds at Chippokes. Discover the creatures that lived here long ago and how the habitats at Chippokes have gone through drastic changes.

While on the beach you can observe the Osprey and abundant wildlife that inhabits the area. 

Observe the overhead acrobatics of the Osprey

FISHING 

Fishing is a popular park past-time

Freshwater fishing is available with a valid Virginia fishing license. Fishing is permitted from the shore of the James River and on the banks of and bridge over College Run Creek. 

 

DAY TWO - HIT THE FARM

Take a stroll through the historic grounds of the park

MUSEUM

Opened in June 1990, the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum displays more than 600 antiques to interpret rural early American farm life. The seven-building complex is open for self-guided tours daily from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's also available by reservation for groups.

Museum staffers care for donkeys, pigs, goats, chickens and a rabbit. Learn more about them and help with their care at one of our ranger-led Pasture Pals programs.

Experience a day on the farm 

Learn something new when you spend time at the Farm and Forestry Museum

TOUR THE MANSION

Jones-Stewart Mansion is a stunning example of an antebellum plantation house, built in 1854

The home offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of two families, the Jones and the Stewarts. 

Tours of the 19th-century Chippokes Mansion are available Friday through Monday, April through October and other times by reservation for groups. In the spring, special tours of the mansion and gardens are offered in conjunction with Garden Week. During the Christmas season, the mansion is decked in Victorian period decorations and open for tours on select weekends. 

Click here to view all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

BONUS EXTRAS 

 Places to see nearby the park 

• Catch the Jamestown free car-ferry across the river to Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, and Historic Jamestown. Click here for directions to the ferry landing from the park.
• Visit the oldest castle in Virginia Bacon's Castle built in 1665 (which is 50 years newer than Chippokes State Park, FYI.)
• Captain John Smith built a place to retreat should Jamestown be invaded, named Smith's Fort. It was a tract of land that was given to John Rolfe in 1614 by Powhatan upon Rolfe's marriage to Pocahontas as part of her dowry.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS

Cabin 2 is a quaint cottage set out amongst the farmland 

Cabin 2 is a charming cottage with a full kitchen, bathroom and 3 bedrooms

Master Bedroom at cabin 2 is more like a bed and breakfast suite (make your own breakfast)

The campground has two loops open from the first Friday in March to the first Monday in December

A fantastic campground and four overnight cabins allow visitors to stay on the historic grounds. You can check availability and reserve online here. Pets are allowed to stay with you, and a fee is charged per pet per night for cabin stays. Pets are allowed to stay for free if you are camping at Chippokes State Park. Click here for a google map to see where this park is located.

Click here for more information about the amenities and accommodations for overnight guests.

As you can see, there is no shortage of fun things to do at Chippokes State Park, and many more interesting places to explore nearby the park. 48 hours is just a sampler, you'll probably want to stay a full week, call 800-933-7275 for details.