Description
The grounds of Chimborazo Park are on a high bluff with an expansive view of the city. The Chimborazo Medical Museum, run by the National Park Service, lies on an area of manicured lawn along with benches, paths, and a miniature Statue of Liberty. From here, several paths descend to walking trails traversing the hillside, which is covered in open forest and meadow.
Familiar urban birds, like American robins and northern mockingbirds, predominate above, but a trek down the hill is rewarded with woodpeckers, sparrows, and finches. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR
The first trail below the bluff parallels a flowing seep that is home to the seepage dancer, a spotted, small, black and blue damselfly of the Eastern Seaboard. The seepage dancer shares this habitat with several other species of dragonflies. Butterflies are also plentiful along the trail due to the weeds and wildflowers growing along the seep.
The trails continue through open oak groves that throng with northern flickers, blue jays, northern cardinals, and other passerines. The bluff is an excellent spot from which to look down on swallows foraging over the oak woodlands, and it can also provide some opportunities to view raptors. The very lucky visitor might spot one of the Riverfront Plaza building’s peregrine falcons out hunting.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Chimborazo Park and Chimborazo Medical Museum:
- Mourning Dove
- Great Blue Heron
- Blue Jay
- Northern Mockingbird
- American Robin
- Dark-eyed Junco
- White-throated Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- Northern Cardinal
- House Finch
133 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar 2026 | 9 | Sarah Audritsh |
| 15 Mar 2026 | 1 | Fritz Hoogakker |
| 6 Mar 2026 | 17 | Tom Rashid |
| 25 Feb 2026 | 1 | Conor Duffy |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 12 | Sarah Audritsh |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Other Site Amenities: Bike Trails, Hiking Trails, Visitor/Nature Center, Historical Site
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 3215 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23223
From the I-64/I-95 interchange, head south on I-95, take exit 74B toward Franklin Street, turn right onto Franklin Street, turn right onto N 14th Street, turn right onto US 250/E. Broad Street, turn right onto N. 33rd Street, and park along the street.
Site Information
Managed By:
- National Park Service
Access Requirements:
Contact Information:
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.