The Parks Podcast
The Parks Podcast
Pocahontas State Park - Virginia (Episode 23)
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Pocahontas State Park overlook

Pocahontas State Park (Virginia)

Episode Guest

Nate Clark – Park Manager
Pocahontas State Park (Virginia)

Park Stats

Location: Chesterfield, Virginia

Date park was established: 1946

Park size: 7,919 acres

Fun Facts:

    • Virginia’s largest state park
    • Home to 3 lakes – Swift Creek Lake (225 acres), Beaver Lake (24 acres), and Camp 7 lake (7 acres).
    • 90 miles trails including 6 miles of hiking trails, 44 miles of mountain biking trails, 13 miles of bridle trails
    • 446 plant species, 26 mammals, 109 birds, 28 reptiles, 23 amphibians, 73 dragonfly and damselfly species, 150 butterflies & moths, 411 beetle species and 30 fish!

Speed Round

What is your earliest park memory?

For me, probably my parents taking me to Shenandoah National Park when I was a kid and doing picnics and hiking down to South River Falls. That’s probably my earliest memory.

What made you love the parks?

Just getting out there as a kid. My parents exposed me to a lot. My sister and I. Just getting out there and I just always loved it.

What is your favorite thing about Pocahontas State Park?

The variety of recreational opportunities like we talked about. The variety of visitors that we see. And the trails. I think I mentioned I’m a runner. I’m a trail runner. So I run these trails all the time when I’m not working.

What is your favorite thing to do at Pocahontas State Park?

The trails. I’m here 40 hours a week at least. So when I’m off, it’s nice to get out and get away from people and get out in the trails and just kind of enjoy myself.

What park have you yet to visit but is on your bucket list and why?

I would say Yosemite.  I’ve been to Yellowstone several times. Yosemite is kind of one of the iconic parks, Yosemite Valley and Half Dome. I think Yosemite would be my top of my list right now.

What are three must-haves you pack for a park visit?

Well, as a park ranger who has had to go out and find people in the past, I will say some kind of a navigational tool. Rain jacket and some layers for the weather. Even in the summertime when there’s nothing forecast, a storm could always roll through. And good footwear. Finally, food and water.

What is your favorite campfire activity?

I would say just hanging out with friends or family, talking, and just being in front of a campfire.

Tent, camper, or cabin?

If it’s just me, tent. If it’s the family and my wife, probably a cabin.

Hiking with or without trekking poles?

I generally go without.

And what is your favorite trail snack?

For snack, trail mix. But my favorite trail lunch is a turkey and cheese bagel. It just hits perfect.

What is the best animal sighting that you’ve had?

Well, I’ve seen a lot of really cool animals out west: grizzlies, moose, and bison. I had a really cool one though, just about two weeks ago. I saw a Bobcat on the Appalachian trail up in Shenandoah National Park. Just a little south of the Big Meadows.

It’s, I think, the second Bobcat I’ve ever seen, but it was cool. Came around turn and he was standing right in the middle of the trail, about 20 yards away.

What is your favorite sound in the parks?

Silence.

What is the greatest gift the parks give to us?

The protection. The protection and the conservation and the opportunities to get out here and use these resources and love these resources.