Pocahontas State Park

Important Notices

COVID-19 & the VBWTBefore heading out to visit a site on the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, be sure to check if that site has any COVID-19 policies or closures in place. This information is typically posted on a site's own website.

Description

Although the 7,919 acres of Pocahontas State Park are largely covered with eastern deciduous forest, there are actually a variety of habitats including wetlands, lakes and ponds, grassy openings, and stands of old pine trees. In addition to 6.6 miles of walking trail, the park contains 33.1 miles of designated bicycle trails, and 46.5 miles of multi-use trail which penetrate virtually all of the park’s major habitats.

During summer, Beaver Lake Trail and Big Poplar Trail have a variety of birds including several species of nesting flycatchers and wetland birds. Just above the dam, look along the rock piles for spotted sandpiper. A popular viewing area is the spillway at the east end of Beaver Lake. The lake hosts a diversity of dragonflies and damselflies during the summer and provides refuge for wintering waterfowl such as bufflehead and ring-necked duck. Flocks of wild turkey and numerous white-tailed deer can also be seen throughout the park year-round. Nighttime visitors may be fortunate enough to hear owls, and see nocturnal mammals such as raccoon, opossum, and striped skunk.

Directions

Physical Address: 10301 State Park Rd., Chesterfield, VA 23832

From the Previous Site on the Appomattox Loop of the VBWT:

From Rockwood Park, return to Courthouse Road and turn left (South). Travel on Courthouse Road for 6.5 miles. Turn right onto SR 10/Iron Bridge Road; drive for 1.0 mile. Turn right on Beach Road and travel for 4.0 miles to the park entrance on the right.

Location & Directions

View on Google Maps

Site Information

Birds Recently Seen at Pocahontas State Park (as reported to eBird)

  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
  • Red-headed Woodpecker
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Pileated Woodpecker
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Blue Jay
  • American Crow
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet
  • White-breasted Nuthatch

Seasonal Bird Observations

Facilities

  • Visitor/Nature Center
  • Bike Trails
  • Camping
  • Fee
  • Food
  • Accessible
  • Hiking Trails
  • Information
  • Interpretive Trail
  • Lodging
  • Parking
  • Picnic
  • Restrooms
  • Kayak/Canoe Launch