Powhatan State Park

Powhatan State Park
Powhatan State Park
	James River at Powhatan State Park
	Location of Powhatan State Park Powhatan State Park (the United States)
Location	Powhatan county, Virginia, USA
Nearest city	Powhatan, Virginia
Coordinates	37°39′35″N 77°55′22″W / 37.65972°N 77.92278°W
Area	1,565 acres (6 km2)
Established	July 6, 2013
Governing body	Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Powhatan State Park is a state park located along the James River in Virginia. It is in Powhatan County. The park is 1,565 acres (6 km²) total with two miles (3.2 km) of riverfront.^[1]^[2] Powhatan opened in 2013 after a 10-year process of transferring it from use by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice to a Virginia state park.

History

In 2003, 1,565 acres (6 km²) were transferred from the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation for the creation of the state park. The goal in creating the park was to provide access to state park facilities in central Virginia and to create both day-use and overnight facilities on the James River. Preparations were completed and Powhatan State Park was opened on 6 July 2013.

Park entrance sign

Attractions

Trails

The park has five trails open.^{[citation needed]} These total about 7.3 miles (11.7 km) of multi-use (hiking, biking, horse riding) trails through a number of diverse habitats including field edge, upland pine and mature hardwoods. The trails provide opportunities for viewing wildlife.

Equestrian parking is now open and horses are welcome on several trails.

Boating and fishing

The park has about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of James River waterfront accessible by a canoe slide launch. Fishing access to the river bank is limited because of high bluffs, but easier access is being worked on. Fishing licenses are required and are available from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Visitors launching a canoe or kayak from the park may enjoy a five-mile float down river to the Maidens boat launch.

Camping

The park has a canoe-in campground which is accessible via the James River. This campground provides six primitive (no electricity or water) camping sites. There are restroom facilities but no bathhouses.^{[citation needed]}

The park boasts a new full service campground, which opened on November 1, 2016.^{[citation needed]} Electric and water sites, including one accessible site and several pull through, are available by reservation. Specific site selection is possible for some of the sites. The new campground includes a bathhouse. A dump station has been built near the campground for those with campers and RVs.

Picnic shelters

The park has three large picnic shelters. Each has picnic tables and a charcoal grill. None has electricity or water. Two of the picnic areas have accessible playground areas. All have restroom facilities.^[3]

References

^ Thompson, Andy (August 24, 2013). "Unfinished Powhatan State Park a gem by the James". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
^ "Powhatan State Park". Virginia State Parks. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
^ "Powhatan State Park - Picnic Shelters". Virginia State Parks. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved September 13, 2015.

[Thompson_RTD-1] Thompson, Andy (August 24, 2013). "Unfinished Powhatan State Park a gem by the James". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 13, 2015.

[DCR-2] "Powhatan State Park". Virginia State Parks. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved September 13, 2015.

[DCR2-3] "Powhatan State Park - Picnic Shelters". Virginia State Parks. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved September 13, 2015.

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