![]() | James RiverTrails |
Trail Guide for James River State Park (SP) in Virginia. Published by Virginia State Parks.
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WELCOME TO JAMES RIVER STATE PARK.
To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that
you observe the following:
barrier-free as possible. Universally accessible facilities
are available throughout Virginia State Parks.
EMERGENCY - Emergency phone numbers are posted at
Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Park in
designated areas only. Please note there is a parking fee
charged year-round at all Virginia State Parks. Self-pay
parking information is available at the contact station.
contact stations and other places in the park. For more
information, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov or contact the
park office.
PRESERVE – Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or
mar any plants or trees. Collecting animal or plant life is
allowed only for scientific purposes by permit from the
Richmond headquarters. Don’t feed any wild animals.
Parks or to make a cabin or campsite reservation, call
800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov. The
Customer Service Center is open Monday through Friday,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on all state holidays.
ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private
TRAIL INFORMATION
areas (inside your cabin or camping unit) or in areas
designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department
of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
PETS - Pets are permitted in enclosed areas or on a leash
no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet. Pets
must be attended at all times.
DRONES AND OTHER AIRCRAFT - Drones, other unmanned
aerial vehicles, including remote control aircraft, and
aircraft in general may not be flown in state parks
pursuant to 4VAC5-30-400.
LITTER - Please help us keep the park clean by placing
INFORMATION - For more information on Virginia State
DIFFICULTY SCALE
EASY
- From .5 to 1 mile; grades are short, typically
fewer than 100 feet and less than 10 percent of
the trail length; easily accomplished by all users,
including the elderly and those with physical or
mental disabilities, with little risk of injury or fatigue.
MODERATE
- From 1 to 5 miles; steepness and grade
lengths vary; at least 60 percent of the length is fairly
flat; healthy people can accomplish the trail with
little risk of injury or fatigue.
litter and recyclables in the proper receptacles and
recycle centers or carrying out your trash. The releasing
of balloons is not allowed. Decorative balloons must be
deflated and disposed of as trash.
FIRE - Help prevent wildfires. Fires must be confined to
grills, camp stoves or designated fire rings. Fires must
be attended at all times and extinguished when left.
Firewood is generally available for purchase at the park.
Campers and guests may collect only downed and dead
firewood. We enforce all seasonal and emergency bans on
open fires.
POLLUTION - Help reduce pollution. Dump stations,
laundry sinks and slop sinks, where available, are for the
disposal of wastewater. No boat, RV or car washing.
FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY, PLEASE FOLLOW
TRAIL ETIQUETTE ON MULTI-USE TRAILS IN
THE PARK. HIKERS YIELD TO HORSES.
BIKERS YIELD TO HORSES AND HIKERS.
TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS
CONNECTOR TRAILS - Connector trails offer easy access to
extend hikes throughout the park. They are short, and
blazes are not used.
BRANCH TRAIL
- The trail is diverse in geography and
plant life. It goes over rolling hills, through hardwood
forests, past hillsides full of mountain laurel and through
a planted pine forest. Branch Pond and the contact
station have access points to the trail.
FISHING - A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required.
- This short but challenging trail
goes around the secluded Branch Pond. This singletrack trail offers fishing access and a picnic shelter at
the trailhead. It’s ideal for those wanting a true nature
experience.
PARKING - All vehicles must be parked in designated areas.
BURNSIDE LOOP
GROUP EVENTS - A special Use Permit is required for all
CABELL
SWIMMING - There are no designated swimming areas in
the park. Swimming or wading may be hazardous due to
swift currents, sudden drop offs and unseen obstructions.
Lock valuables in your trunk and keep your vehicle
locked when unattended.
group events that involve amplified sound, catering,
equipment rentals and vendor deliveries.
PARK ACCESSIBILITY - We strive to make each park as
BRANCH POND LOOP
- For mountain bikers, it falls between
beginner and intermediate. Hikers will find it a wellmaintained but narrow trail.
- This is the longest loop trail in the park.
It covers the park’s variety of terrain and vegetation.
Upland hardwoods dominate most of the trail, but it also
borders wetlands. It is the easiest and most direct route
to the Tye River Overlook.
CABIN LOOP
- This short, easy trail is a great opportunity
for cabin guests to stretch their legs. The trail winds
through warm season grasses from which quail can often
be heard. Deer are also common.
DIXON
- This is a beginner trail that accesses Cabell Trail
from a trailhead parking area. This wide, easy trail has
something for everyone.
GREEN HILL POND
- This ADA-compliant paved trail is
perfect for kids and those with disabilities. About half the
trail is a boardwalk over water, allowing guests to fish
and enjoy nature from a different perspective. The trail
has an ADA-accessible floating fishing dock. Bass, catfish
and bluegill live in the pond.
KERR LOOP
- This single-track hiking and mountain bike
trail is a great entry-level mountain bike trail. Use this
trail to warm up then try the more challenging Burnside
Loop.
- A single-track hiking and mountain
bike trail, this “flow trail” has few technical sections. It’s
a great entry-level mountain bike trail and traverses
beautiful hardwoods.
Virginia State Parks
James River
State Park
TRAIL
GUIDE
RIDGELINE LOOP
RIVER
- This trail, beside the James River, offers views of
the river and runs between the river and a wetland. Deer,
rabbits, beavers, muskrats, otters and various waterfowl
may be encountered.
RUNNING CREEK
- Moderately rolling hills through
mature forests make this trail popular. It’s not too long or
short, making it perfect for a family stroll. Part of the trail
runs along a small creek.
TAYLOR POND LOOP
- With a trailhead parking area and
easy access from cabins and the Red Oak Campground,
this short loop around Taylor Pond offers fishing access
and a chance to observe wildlife.
VIRGINIA STATE PARKS ARE A TONIC
FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.
Museums, visitor centers and
nearby historic sites make state
parks cultural treasures.
The recreational opportunities in
state parks are endless and easy to
see – from swimming and boating
to horseshoes and hiking, there’s
always something to do in a
Virginia State Park.
TAYLOR
- Multiple access points to Taylor make it a great
way to extend hikes from Cabell, Cabin or River trails.
Fall and winter views of the river’s bottom make this hike
especially appealing in cooler months.
TYE RIVER OVERLOOK
- This trail leads to the park’s most
iconic view. It’s ADA-accessible and covered in smooth,
crushed gravel. Use Cabell to access this trail. Those with
disabilities should contact a park ranger for permission
to drive to the start of the Tye Overlook Trail. This is the
park’s “must see” trail, so be sure to enjoy the view.
104 Green Hill Drive
Gladstone, Virginia 24553
434-933-4355
Jamesriver@dcr.virginia.gov
WWW.VIRGINIASTATEPARKS.GOV
800-933-PARK
James River State Park
Restrooms
Campground
Boat Launch
Cabins
Parking
Tye River
Overlook
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River
Cabin Loop
Trail
Trail
Blaze
Branch
Branch Pond Loop
Branch Trail Connector
Burnside Loop
Cabell
Cabell Creek Connector
Cabin Loop
Dixon
Dixon Landing Overlook
Equestrian Overlook Access
Green Hill Pond Loop
Kerr Loop
Ridgeline Loop
River
Running Creek
Taylor
Taylor Pond Loop
Tye River Overlook
Green
Light Blue
N/A
Lime Green
Orange
N/A
Purple
Red
N/A
N/A
N/A
Pink
White
Blue
Yellow
White
N/A
N/A
Mileage
Usage
2.5
0.5
0.3
3.0
3.4
0.6
0.8
1.3
0.25
0.2
0.4
2.4
1.4
3.1
1.5
0.7
0.25
0.1
H, B, E
H, B
H, B, E
H, B
H, B, E
H, B, E
H, B, E
H, B, E
H, B, E
H, B, E
H
H, B
H, B
H, B, E
H, B, E
H, B, E
H, B, E
H
H = Hiking B = Biking E = Equestrian
= Easy
0
= Moderate
Difficulty Access
A
A
A = Handicap Accessible
= Difficult
1
Miles