Pocahontas State Park offers its visitors a wide range of activities and natural landscapes to explore. From fishing, horseback riding trails, and camping to an informative environmental education center, Pocahontas State Park has something for everyone to enjoy. Read below to learn all the different ways you can explore the park!
Trails
The park offers 6.6 miles of walking trails, 33.1 miles of designated biking trails and 46.5 miles of designated miles of multi-use trails for hikers, runners, bikers and horseback riders. The trails weave through and past forests, wetlands, ponds, lakes and grassy openings, and its explorers can spot a variety of wildlife.
Camping
Camping is available year-round at Pocahontas State Park, always allowing you the opportunity to escape from the daily hustle and bustle. The park offers its campers the ability to have a more glamping experience or to really connect with nature, as a lodge, four three-bedroom cabins, campsites, yurts and camping cabins can all be rented.
Swimming
While lake swimming is prohibited at Pocahontas State Park, its Aquatic Recreation Center is open to swimmers from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. The center features a toddler pool, fountain wet deck, three-foot and five-foot deep leisure pools, two tubular water slides and an activity pool and all at a reasonable price. Ages 2 and under swim for free; ages 3-12 swim for $7 on weekdays and $9 on weekends; and ages 13 and up swim for $8 on weekdays and $10 on weekends.
Fishing and Boating
Visitors can enjoy Fishing and boating on Swift Creek and Beaver Lakes during daylight hours only. Swift Creek Lake has a concrete boat ramp, making it easy to get in and out of the water. Gas-powered motors are prohibited, but electric motors are allowed, and a valid Virginia fishing license is required. If you don’t have a boat and are looking to get on the water, paddle boats, stand-up paddleboards, canoes and kayaks are all available to rent from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day on Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – the last rental departs at 5 p.m.
Hunting
In November and December each year Pocahontas State Park has managed hunt opportunities, which are by reservation only. Those reservations are typically made available in late September. Pocahontas State Park also offers a special archery hunt season by permit only from early October through December.
Events and Programs
Pocahontas state park has various programs and events throughout the year. It offers guided nature hikes, campfire programs, family and children’s programs and night hikes. In the warmer months, the park hosts Pocahontas Premieres, a live outdoor music series. For more information email rebecca.whalen@dcr.virginia.gov or call 804-796-4472. Events can be found at this link.
The Visitor Center
If you need help learning more about the park and its beautiful nature, the visitor center provides information about the park’s attractions and amenities. It also includes the Nature Center and the Discovery Center which showcases native wildlife including beehives, reptiles and pelts and bones of native species. The center’s visitors can also explore an interactive camp-scape featuring a model yurt and preview the mountain bike trails with a stationary bike virtual reality display. Its hours vary throughout the year, so it’s recommended to call ahead of time, but typically it’s open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.