Pocahontas State Park is located about 30 minutes outside of Richmond, VA. It’s a convenient spot for a lot of outdoor activities. I love to pop down for hikes. They have a wide variety of trails for skill level, length, and interest.
The park seems to have a lot of other activities – biking, swimming, camping, and hunting. I’ve driven through the campground and it’s nice. Sites seem to be spacious and convenient for other activities.
Hiking
The park has 21 trails totaling more than 42 miles. They range anywhere from a quick .2 to 4.7 miles. Those that I’ve been on are really well-marked to get to the trail and when you are on the trail. One of my favorite features, is trash, maps, and bathrooms near almost every trailhead.
Camping
The lodging options are varied at the park. They have cabins, lodges, yurts, camping cabins, and camp sites. Their website states some form of camping/lodging is available throughout the year, though it varies depending on which option you want.
I did drive through the campground. It was really lovely. Spacious campsites and bathrooms appeared to be near every site. Each site has a fire ring and the park sells firewood, so get ready for some s’mores.
Another benefit of this park is the local resources. Just a few miles from the park you’ll find Food Lion, Jersey Mike’s, Starbucks, and more. It’s really nice to know you can grab a sandwich for a hike, supplies for a campout, etc.
A ranger here taught me how to build a campfire. Rebecca walked me through the fire triangle, what to bring, why you buy your firewood where you burn it, and five ways to get it lit — including one with a bag of water. It is the first episode of Base Camp: How to Build a Campfire.
Who this park is perfect for
Richmond-area residents who want a serious park experience without a long drive. With 42 miles of trails, a pool, campgrounds in six different configurations, and a waterfall, Pocahontas punches well above its weight for a state park 30 minutes from the city. It’s also my top recommendation for first-time campers in the area — the campgrounds are spacious, well-maintained, and the proximity to civilization makes it feel approachable.
The trails are exceptional
21 trails ranging from .2 to 4.7 miles means you can customize your experience completely. The trailhead markings and nearby bathroom facilities are better than most Virginia state parks — details that matter more than people realize.
The thing nobody tells you
There’s a waterfall. It’s not huge, but it’s real, and most people hiking the park don’t know it’s there. Check the trail map before you go and build it into your route.
Podcast connection: Episode 23 of The Parks Podcast is my conversation with Nate Clark, the park manager, about what Pocahontas is and how it got that way.
Basics
Where: 10301 State Park Rd, Chesterfield, Virginia — about thirty minutes from Richmond.
The park: 7,950 acres, 21 trails and more than 42 miles of hiking.
What there is to do: hiking, biking, swimming, camping, fishing, boating, equestrian trails and hunting.
How long: a quick hike is one to two hours. A full day of hiking, swimming and exploring the campground is easily done and worth it.
When to come: genuinely good in every season. Spring and fall are ideal for hiking, summer for the pool and the water, and the fall foliage on the longer trails is excellent. The campground runs in some form most of the year.
Resupply is easy. Richmond services are a few miles away, so you can restock without a detour.
Parking: throughout the park, convenient to each trail, the visitor center and the campground.
Bathrooms: located throughout the park.
Pets
Dogs are welcome and must be kept on a leash.
Traveling with a dog? Where I Would Actually Take My Dog is every park on this site, sorted by whether she can do the activities you came for.
One More Thing – Catch Yourself Smiling Moment
Pocahontas State Park is where I go when I need to go outside but I don’t have a plan. Thirty minutes from my door. Enough trails to get genuinely lost in for a few hours. Good markings so I’m never actually lost.
I’ve been there on Tuesday mornings when I needed to think. On Sunday afternoons when I needed to stop thinking. In every season. With Tootsie, without Tootsie, alone, with people.
The best parks aren’t always the most dramatic. Sometimes they’re just the ones that are there when you need them. Pocahontas is that park for me. What’s yours?