PocahontasState Park - Virginia |
Pocahontas State Park is located in Chesterfield, Virginia, United States, not far from the state capitol of Richmond. The park was laid out by the Civilian Conservation Corps along the Swift Creek, and at 7,950 acres (32.2 km2) was, at its creation, Virginia's largest state park.
The park is named after Chief Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas.
featured in
Virginia Pocket Maps |
location
maps
Pocahontas - Visitor Map
Visitor Map of Pocahontas State Park (SP) in Virginia. Published by Virginia State Parks.
Virginia State - Virginia State Bicycle Map
Bicycle Map of Virginia. Published by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
brochures
Pocahontas - Trails
Trail Guide for Pocahontas State Park (SP) in Virginia. Published by Virginia State Parks.
Pocahontas - Facilities
Facilities Guide for Pocahontas State Park (SP) in Virginia. Published by Virginia State Parks.
Virginia State - Virginia State Parks
Brochure of Virginia State Parks. Published by Virginia State Parks.
Virginia State - Virginia Travel Guide
Features & Stories of the Travel Guide for Virginia. Published by Virginia Tourism.
Pocahontas SP
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/pocahontas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocahontas_State_Park
Pocahontas State Park is located in Chesterfield, Virginia, United States, not far from the state capitol of Richmond. The park was laid out by the Civilian Conservation Corps along the Swift Creek, and at 7,950 acres (32.2 km2) was, at its creation, Virginia's largest state park.
The park is named after Chief Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas.
]
]
]
]
Dea
]
nF
T ] ]
n F]
] T
] ]
1
Miles
U
V
V
U
"]
w
604
]
FT
]]
]
]
FT
FT
T
rF
T
rF
Lo
op
Lo
op
T
rF
Ta
yl
o
Ta
yl
o
Lea
FT
Lea
FT
Ta
yl
o
Qu a
ll a R
d
Rd
Qu a
ll a
Rd
Qu a
ll a
Sw
i
ift ] ]] ft C r
]
e
C r ] ]] C r]
]
ee
e e ] ek ]F
]
]k
]
kF
T
]
]]
]]
] ] ]FT
] ]]
T
]
] ] ]]
]
]
] ]
] ]] ]
]
]
]
]
]]
]
Lea
FT
] ]
]
"
w
]
]
] ] ]] ]
]
]
] ]] ]
]
Lo
op
]
]
"
w
] ]
Fendley Station
Loop A
Fendley
Station (H/B)
]
(see map on back)
]
"
w
] ]
Fendley
Fendley Station
0 (H/B) Loop A
Station
Miles
]
]
"
w
"
w
]
Rd
Forest
Exploration
Swift Creek MTB System
]
] ] ]] ]
se
] ]] ]
]
Forest
Exploration
Miles
1
]
ou
"
w
0
Fendley
Station (H/B)
] ]
th
Rd
"
w
]
ur
se
N
N
N
1
]]
CENTRAL"AREA
"
ou
0
]
ift
Sw e ek
Cr
(see map on back)
th
Rd
]
n
t ia
Morgan MTB System
Private
Property
Co
se
ur
]
FT
Sm
"
w
"
w
Vw"
U
ou
T Nunnaly
T FTNunnaly FT
FTld F
dF
FT elNunnaly
fi e
eld ee rfi
er
D
De
n
t ia
Private
T
FProperty
651
Private
Property
FT
CENTRAL
ith AREA
r is
Ch
653
ith
"
w
Sm
"
w
FT651
Co
rfi
FT
e Rd
B rid g
ith
"
w
th
e
De
n
r is
Ch
"
w
U
V
V
U
Sm
t ia
r is
Ch
ys
Ne wb
651
Hawkins FTHawkins FT
Hawkins FT
ift
w k
ift
w ek dS re e
d
S
et R C
d
tR
in
Cri n
tR
i n yp o
po
a
ay
Cl
Cl
"
w
Uw"
V
" U
Vw"
w
"
w
e Rd
dg
s B ri
y
Ne wb
"
w
ur
]
po
651
745
e Rd
B rid g
s
y
b
Ne w
"U
w
653
V
V
U
Co
]
ay
Cl
651
U
V
V
U
"
w
653
]
] ] ]] ]
653
651
] ]] ]
]
U
V
V
U
U
V
V
U
]]
]
Dea
T
nF
Dea
ou n
Bou
Bou
d ary
nd a
nd a
FT
ry F
ry F
T
T
] ]
]]
] ]B
]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
]
]
]
] ]] ]
]
Sw
ift
Sw
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
ke
La
er
ke
av
Be
er
Be
av
ke
La
"
Ç
FT
er
av
Be
Ba
il
FT ey
To park office and park entrance
il
FT ey
Ba
T
ma s F
Pink
Yellow
*
Fendley
Station
Bright
Trail Hope
*
Fendley
Co-op
Beaver Station
Lake
Burgundy
Yellow
Blaze
Burgundy
Pink
Cobalt Blue
*
Fendley
StationLoop
Fendley
Station
A Burgundy
Burgundy
Big Poplar
Yellow
*
Fendley
StationLoop B Burgundy
Fendley
Station
Burgundy
Bright
Hope
Yellow
Forest
Exploration
Lemon
Yellow
Fendley
Station
Loop
A
Burgundy
Co-op
Pink
Ground
Pine
Path*Loop B Lime
Green
Fendley
Station
Burgundy
Fendley
Station
Burgundy
*
Muddy
Tan
ForestBuddy
Exploration
Lemon Yellow
Fendley
Station
Burgundy
Old
Mill Pine
Green
Ground
Path
Lime
Green
Fendley
Station
Loop A Dark
Burgundy
Otter
LickBuddy
Loop Loop B Blue
Muddy
Tan
Fendley
Station
Burgundy
Legend
Parallel
Old
MillExploration
Forest
Poorhouse
Run
Otter
Lick
Loop
Ground
Pine
Path
Amphitheater
Powhatan
Parallel
Muddy Buddy
Qualla
Connector
Poorhouse
Run
Old Mill
Purple
Dark
Green
Lemon
Yellow
Gray
Blue
Lime Green
Red
Purple
Tan
Pink
Gray
Dark Green
2.8
0.7
HH
6.8
5.3
Mileage
6.5
2.8
H
2.5 H/B/E
H
1.2
6.8
0.7
0.9
6.5
5.3
2.3
1.2
2.8
0.6
0.9
6.8
0.7
2.3
6.5
4.8
0.6
1.2
2.4
0.7
0.9
0.4
4.8
2.3
1.4
2.4
0.6
2.4
0.4
0.7
0.3
1.4
4.8
H/B/E
H/B
H
H/B
H/B/E
H/B/E
HH
H/B/E
H
H/B
H/B
H/B
H
H/B/E
H/B
H
H/B/E
H/B/E
H/B
H/B
H/B
H/B
H
H/B/E
H/B/E
H
H/B
H/B
H/B
H/B
H/B/E
H/B
Boat Ramp
Boat Rentals
Campground
Point of Interest
Restrooms
Rustic Cabins
Concessions
Contact Station
Shower / Bathhouse
Swim Complex
- 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.
Dumping Station
Gifts / Shopping
Horse Ring
Yurts
Main Roads
DIFFICULT
- Trail length is greater than 5 miles;
more than 70 percent of the trail is on a grade;
experienced hikers only or groups of three to five
people recommended; there is a risk of overexertion
or injury to those not conditioned.
Parking
Park Office
Park Roads (open to vehicles)
with small
horse symbols
(] ).
H = Hiking
B = Biking
E = Equestrian
Park Roads (closed to vehicles) users are indicated
= Easy = Moderate = Difficult
Lakes
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Major Streams
Park Boundary
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
"Difficulty
H/B
H/B/EÇ
Usage
Spillway
(paved)
Orange
0.2
H
Powhatan
Red
2.4
H/B
Otter Lick
Loop
Blue
2.4
H/B/E
Trooper
Tribute
Loop
Silver
0.8
H
Qualla
Connector
Pink
0.3
H/B
Parallel
Purple
0.4
H/B
H = Hiking B
= Biking E = Equestrian
Spillway
(paved)
Orange
0.2
H
Poorhouse Run
Gray
1.4
H/B/E
= Moderate 0.8
= DifficultH
= Easy
Trooper
Tribute
Loop Silver
Powhatan
Red
2.4
H/B
*
= HikingStation
B = Biking
E = Equestrian
The
sections
ofHFendley
Trail which
are
to equestrian
Qualla
Connector
Pink
0.3open H/B
=(]
Difficult
= Easy
= Moderate
0.2
users
are (paved)
indicated
with small
horse symbols
).
Spillway
Orange
H
*
The
sections
of
WELCOME TO POCAHONTAS STATE PARK.
To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that
you observe the following:
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.
QUIET HOURS - Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The use of generators is prohibited at all times.
CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT POLICY
Camping:
Check-in 4 p.m.
Cabins and Yurts: Check-in 4 p.m.
Check-out 1 p.m.
Check-out 10 a.m.
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.
ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private
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 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 down 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
proper disposal of wastewater. Please, no boat, RV or car
washing.
SWIMMING - The aquatic recreation center is available
for a fee during scheduled hours between the Saturday
of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. The weather
and other issues beyond our control may reduce the
availability of the facility. Swimming anywhere else in
the park at any time is prohibited.
FISHING - A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required.
GUESTS - Your guests are our guests. For everyone’s safety
and security, please register all visitors with the park
office. Visitors will not be admitted to camping and cabin
areas unless so identified. Visitors are permitted only
between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
In many cases, campers may be accommodated prior to
the official check-in. Please remember that only those 18
or older may register. The registrant is responsible for
all occupants of the campsite or cabin. Feel free to arrive
early and enjoy park amenities prior to check-in.
Overnight guests are encouraged to be familiar with the
early departure policy since it impacts any refund due.
The policy and frequently asked questions are here:
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/faq.
CAMPING - Camping is allowed only in designated
campgrounds and only after following the proper checkin procedure described in the Reservation and Fees Guide
available at the park office.
Campsite occupancy is a maximum of six people or the
number of people in a single household. Two camping
units are allowed per campsite; only one axled camper
is allowed per site. All camping units, equipment and
vehicles must be placed within the perimeter of the
designated campsite without infringing on adjoining
campsites or vegetation. Where high-impact areas are
designated, all camping units, equipment and vehicles
must be within the area’s defined borders.
Park in designated areas only.
PARKING - Only two motor vehicles, as well as the
camping unit, are permitted on a campsite without
incurring additional fees. Cabin guests are allowed two
vehicles for a one or two-bedroom cabin, three vehicles
for a three-bedroom cabin and six vehicles for a sixbedroom cabin per day without an additional parking
fee charge. Those with additional vehicles must pay a
parking fee for each day the vehicle is in the park. The
number of vehicles allowed to park at the cabin varies
according to site design and other factors. All vehicles
must be parked in designated areas, either at the cabin
or in the designated overflow parking area. Primitive and
hike-in sites may have specific parking restrictions.
The maximum overnight stay per park is 14 days in any
30-day period.
PARK ACCESSIBILITY - We strive to make each park as
barrier-free as possible. Universally accessible facilities
are available throughout Virginia State Parks.
EMERGENCY - Emergency phone numbers are posted at
contact stations and other places in the park. For more
information, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov or
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Quirk Hotel—Richmond
PERFORM
The show must go on at the renovated Academy Center of
the Arts in Lynchburg! Embracing the culture and diversity
of the community, the Academy highlights the rich history of
the 1905 theatre along with modern-day amenities. With live
performances, films, concerts and more, you’ll not only feel
good about supporting a local treasure, but get an authentic
experience at one of the 20th century’s most prominent and
well-attended theatres in Central Virginia. Afterwards, grab a
drink and take in the sweeping city views at the Skyline Grill,
located on the rooftop of the beautiful Virginian Hotel.
CENTRAL
VIRGINIA
R O B E RT R U S S A M O T O N M U S E U M ( FA R M V I L L E ) : M I K E M E R G E N / V E RT I A S V I N E YA R D ( A F T O N ) : S A R A H H A U S E R
CRAFT
98
TO D D W R I G H T
Located right in the heart of the state, CENTRAL VIRGINIA is an easy drive from beaches, mountains and Washington, D.C. From
vibrant small towns to the bustling state capital, this region teems with creative energy, passionate makers, local love and rich
history. And as the landscape transitions from urban riverfronts to rolling hills to mountain-top vistas, you’ll also find a wide array
of outdoor experiences and a diverse abundance of locally sourced cuisine.
Crafting is no longer limited to painting and papier-mâché. Pair
beautiful views with craft beverages along the Nelson 29 Craft
Beverage Trail. The trail features a barrel house, four wineries
and a distillery in the heart of Virginia’s most refreshing
retreat. With additional dining and unique lodging options,
like Orchard House Bed & Breakfast, craft beverage lovers can
enjoy an ideal getaway with family and friends on the sunrise
side of the Blue Ridge. Or, hop aboard a Crozet Trolley Tour to
explore 13 wineries, breweries and cideries along the nearby
Nelson 151 Trail.
REDISCOVER
Some of Virginia’s most iconic sites are telling a more
comprehensive story, bringing to light the lives and
experiences of their enslaved communities. Discover Thomas
Jefferson’s Monticello from a new perspective – along
Mulberry Row, the hub of Jefferson’s plantation, and in the
exhibit The Life of Sally Hemings; Hemings not only bore
several of Jefferson’s children but negotiated their freedom
as well. Nearby is James Monroe’s Highland, where you can
tour the restored slave quarters, experiencing the stories of
the home through the voices of many. And James Madison’s
Montpelier is home to the emotional and proactive exhibition
The Mere Distinction of Colour, featuring artifacts, artwork and
stories told by living descendants of the enslaved.
Robert Russa Moton Museum—Farmville
Veritas Vineyard—Afton
EXPERIENCE
In Richmond, our state’s capital, visitors seeking arts and
culture need look no further than the Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts. Peruse 35,000 pieces of art from around the world,
including the new “Rumors of War,” a powerful monumental
sculpture designed by Kehinde Wiley. Plus, enjoy curated
food and spirits in their onsite restaurant, Amuse, or take
a class in design or photography. Virginia Commonwealth
University’s Institute of Contemporary Art also features
rotating exhibitions of interactive art to get your creative
fix. Afterwards, stroll the Fan and other neighborhoods for
gorgeous murals by local artists. As a hub for entertainment,
Richmond also hosts a multitude of live musical talent, from
local bands to award-winning and world-renowned visiting
artists.
CELEBRATE
Explore the stories of those who blazed the trail for Civil
Rights in education and beyond. Begin at the Robert Russa
Moton Museum in Farmville, where a student strike in 1951
led to the hallmark Brown v. Board of Education decision
in 1954. In nearby Lynchburg, the Legacy Museum of
African American History celebrates the African American
experience in the region, including historic impacts on
education. Then head to Richmond to view the Virginia
Civil Rights Memorial on Capitol Square, featuring 16-yearold Barbara Rose Johns, leader of the Moton High School
walkout. While you’re near, visit the Maggie Walker National
Historic Site, which honors the first female bank president in
America, and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center
in Jackson Ward, once the “Harlem of the South.”
VIRGINIA .ORG
99
q
u
O F F E R S A C C E S S F O R P E O P L E W H O A R E B L I N D O R H AV E L O W V I S I O N
b
BUSES/GROUP S WELCOME
c
P E T - F R I E N D LY FA C I L I T Y
$
D
P R O V I D E S P R I N T E D M AT E R I A L I N B R A I L L E
PROVIDES DES CRIPTIONS BY A TRAINED AUDIO DES CRIBER
P R O V I D E S A D E V I C E U S E D F O R C O M M U N I C AT I O N W I T H A N D B E T W E E N H E A R I N G I M PA I R E D
ADMISSION REQUIRED
I
s
W
PROVIDES SIGN LANGUAGE
PROVIDES ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS
ADA-COMPLIANT
ARRINGTON
Madison
Fitzgerald Farms
4850 Tye Brook Hwy.,
434-277-8047;
fitzgeraldfarms.com. PickYour-Own Pumpkins during the
season.
Environmental
Education
Virginia State Parks are premier
environmental education sites.
Schools, scouts, groups and individuals
are encouraged to come learn more
about their world. Backyard Classroom
programs, incorporating Virginia’s
Standards of Learning, promote
lifelong learning. They also help
young people enjoy, appreciate and
understand the outdoors.
Programs & Festivals
Master new outdoor cooking recipes.
Pan for gold or tour a cave. Learn or
improve outdoor skills. Enjoy a rangerled hike, eagle tour or owl prowl.
Workshops and events are as diverse
as the parks.
VIRGINIA
Discounts
Virginia State Parks are affordable every day, but annual passes
can save you money on parking, boat launching and swimming.
The Customer Loyalty Program lets you earn points that can be
redeemed for free or discounted overnight stays.
STATE PARKS
You can also receive a 25 percent discount on weekend cabins if you
make a reservation on Thursday or Friday, based on availability. Just
ask for the discount on the phone when you make the reservation.
Park Accessibility
Virginia State Parks strive to make each park as barrier-free as
possible. Contact the Customer Service Center or individual parks
for more information before your trip.
Pets
Pets are welcome but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or in
an enclosed area at all times. Cabin guests are charged $10 plus tax
per night per pet. No pet fee is charged for camping.
There’s plenty of history, too. Immerse
yourself in Colonial times, the Civil War
or the Underground Railroad. When
it comes to festivals, you’ll find music,
arts and crafts, local food and beverage,
classic cars and more. Up-to-theminute, comprehensive information is
available at www.virginiastateparks.gov.
Nature & History
All parks have trails, many with signs
explaining the environment. Wander
trails at First Landing through cypress
swamps or hike Caledon’s trails along
ridges and ravines through rare oldgrowth forest. Overlooks at Hungry
Mother, Grayson Highlands and Natural
Tunnel offer a glimpse of powerful
geological forces that shaped the land.
See how rivers shaped some parks, such
as Belle Isle, James River, Natural Bridge,
Powhatan and Westmoreland.
www.virginiastateparks.gov | 800-933-PARK (7275)
www.virginiastateparks.gov
Shenandoah River
Seven Bends
Sky Meadows
540-622-6840
540-622-6840
540-592-3556
CT
•
CT
•
Douthat
540-862-8100
T
Natural Bridge
540-291-1326
Smith Mountain Lake
540-297-6066
•
540-854-5503
703-730-8205
703-339-2385
540-288-1400
•
B/E/H
•
B/H
•
B/E/H/U
VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS
•
• FP
•
•
•
•
B/E/H
H
• FP
•
•
B/H
•
•
•
B/E/H/U
•
H/U
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Lake Anna
Leesylvania
Mason Neck
Widewater
•
•
• FP
CT
•
•
•
•
B/H/U
•
•
•
UD
CT
CHESAPEAKE BAY
Belle Isle
Caledon
Machicomoco
Westmoreland
804-462-5030
540-663-3861
804-642-2419
804-493-8821
•
•
•
B/E/H/U
•
•
B/H
•
CT
•
• FP
•
B/H
• FP
•
P
B/H/U
COASTAL
Chippokes Plantation
False Cape
First Landing
York River
757-294-3728
757-426-7128
757-412-2300
757-566-3036
•
•
P
B/E/H/U
•
•
B/H/U
•
•
•
B/H
•
•
• FP
•
•
B/E/H/U
EASTERN SHORE
Photo courtesy Jackie Jamison
Kiptopeke
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Bear Creek Lake
High Bridge Trail
Holliday Lake
James River
Pocahontas
Powhatan
Sailor’s Creek Battlefield
Twin Lakes
(Cedar Crest Conference Center)
Boa
t La
unc
h
Boa
t Re
nta
ls
Fish
in g
Day
Use
O nl y
Play
grou
nds
Swi
mm
in g
Trai
ls
BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
757-331-2267
•
•
• FP
•
•
H/U/B
804-492-4410
434-315-0457
434-248-6308
434-933-4355
804-796-4255
804-598-7148
804-561-7510
434-392-3435
434-767-2398
T
•
•
•
•
B/E/H
T
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
T
•
•
•
•
•
CT
•
•
540-643-2500
276-579-7092
276-781-7400
276-781-7425
276-699-6778
276-699-6778
•
•
• FP
•
•
•
T
•
•
•
CT
•
•
•
•
B/H/U
B/E/H
•
B/H/U
B/E/H/U
•
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA
Fairy Stone
Occoneechee
Staunton River Battlefield
Staunton River
276-930-2424
434-374-2210
434-454-4312
434-572-4623
T
•
•
•
276-865-4413
276-254-5487
276-940-2674
276-940-2696
276-523-1322
276-445-3065
T
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
B/E/H
•
B/H/U
•
•
P
B/E/H
•
•
P
B/E/H
HEART OF APPALACHIA
Breaks Interstate
Clinch River
Natural Tunnel
(Cove Ridge Conference Center)
Southwest Virginia Museum
Wilderness Road
CT
•
•
•
•
B/H
•
P
B/H/U
H/U
•
B/E/H
TABLE LEGEND:
B Biking
CT Car-top Boat Launch
E Equestrian
FP Fishing Pier
H Hiking
P Pool Swimming
T Electric Motors Only
U Universally Accessible
UD Under Development
B/E/H
B/E/H/U
P
•
B/E/H/U
B/E/H
H
•
•
Many parks offer overnight facilities suitable
for reunions, weddings and special events.
Some parks even have equestrian campsites.
B/E/H/U
B/E/H/U
•
T
Claytor Lake
Grayson Highlands
Hungry Mother
(Hemlock Haven Conference Center)
New River Trail
Shot Tower
With lodges, cabins, yurts and campsites, the
fun doesn’t end at sundown. Many cabins are
available year-round, and most campgrounds
ar
Hotel Weyanoke—Farmville
Small Towns,
Local charm, cozy curios and open arms make
these small towns in Virginia worth exploring.
Character
WRITTEN BY MARY & BILL BURNHAM
T
KYLE LAFERRIERE
10
he phrase “small town” evokes
nostalgia, authenticity and heartfeltwarmth in many of us. What’s not to
love? They are authentic, accessible, friendly
and stocked with locally-owned businesses.
These are communities where you can get off
the crowded highway, park the car and walk,
ride a bike or even kayak through downtown.
Small, family-run businesses offer one-of-
a-kind handmade items, from jewelry and art
to craft beers and wine. Farmers markets offer
locally-grown produce and seafood spring
through fall.
With almost 200 incorporated towns,
dozens more villages and hamlets, plus
nearly 30 designated Virginia Main Street
Communities, the hard part is deciding which
Virginia towns to visit.
VIRGINIA .ORG
11
Here are some of
our favorites,
d ending
starting in southwest Virginia, an
metown
with a shameless plug for our ho
on the Eastern Shore.
High Bridge Trail State Park—Farmville
Harrisonburg
Big Stone Gap
12
Farmville
HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL STATE PARK (FARMVILLE): ALI ZAMAN /
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM (BIG STONE GAP): JASON BARNETTE
June Tolliver House and Art Folk Center—Big Stone Gap
Southwest Virginia Museum—Big Stone Gap
JUNE TOLLIVER HOUSE (BIG STONE GAP): TIM COX
Southwest Virginia’s coal-mining history
comes to life in the “Trail of the Lonesome
Pine,” Virginia’s longest-running outdoor
drama, performed Thursday through
Saturday nights, late June through August.
Before you go, be sure to read the Big
Stone Gap novels by Adriana Trigiani, or
watch the Hollywood film by the same name
starring Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg.
Upon arrival, you can visit places featured
in the film, such as Mutual Pharmacy, the
Book Mobile, the Farmers Market, as well as
the outdoor drama.
Fine, well-preserved period homes house
The John Fox Jr. Museum, the Southwest
Virginia Museum and the June Tolliver House.
Cozy B&Bs, cafes and a variety of antique
and curio shops round out this small town
gem.
Fun Festival: 100th annual Tri State
Singing Convention, June
This formerly industrial town has been reinvented
for recreation, craft beverage and shopping lovers.
The Appomattox River that once carried tobacco
barges is now a designated Scenic River carrying
paddlers in search of whitewater or the calmer
four-mile Farmville Blueway.
The railroad that once carried coal now carries
hikers, bikers and equestrians on the 30-mile-long
High Bridge Trail State Park.
Repurposed tobacco packing houses and
lumber warehouses are reincarnated to house
Appomattox River Company, Green Front Furniture
and the Third Street Brewing Company, serving up
local beer, live music, games for the kids and a
pet-friendly beer garden.
Together with the Virginia Tasting Cellar and
the soon-to-open second location of James River
Brewing, Farmville is fast becoming a destination
for craft beverage lovers.
Fun Festival: Heart of Virginia Festival, May
Set amidst the vast playground of the
idyllic Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg
has been called “one of the best mountain
bike towns in America” by National
Geographic.
Forward-thinking entrepreneurs and
artisans have blended the past with the
present to create a lively melting pot that
is distinctive to this college town.
Named Virginia’s first Culinary
District in 2014, Harrisonburg’s cultural
diversity serves up fare from around the
world, while taking advantage of locallysourced farm-to-table ingredients. Food.
Bar.Food features “global comfort food,”
while a mother-daughter team creates soulsoothing pastries at Heritage Bakery & Café.
The arts scene is equally diverse,
epitomized by the Agora Downtown Market,
a community of small businesses under
one roof in an historic building.
Named for James Madison, fourth
president and the “Father of the
Constitution,” are the stunning Hotel
Madison and James Madison University
(JMU), where nearly 20,000 students lend
a youthful vitality to this historic town.
Fun Festival: Harrisonburg
International Festival, September
VIRGINIA .ORG
13
Within Virginia’s
larger cities,
find pockets of
uniqueness that
make you feel
like you’re in a
small town!
ROANOKE’S HISTORIC
GRANDIN VILLAGE
This walkable urban village is
eclectic and family-friendly at
the same time. Spend Saturday
morning at the Community
Market, dine on an outdoor
patio, shop independentlyowned boutiques and take in
a first-run or classic film at the
1930s Grandin Theatre.
RICHMOND’S
SCOTT’S ADDITION
One of the hottest, newly
revitalized neighborhoods in
the state capital. Warehouses
converted to breweries, cideries
and distilleries, bold street
murals, a cinema and a retro
bowling alley make this a
happening night scene.
Immerse yourself in Virginia’s Lake
Country at Virginia’s only lakeside
town. Buggs Island Lake, also known as
Kerr Reservoir, draws anglers to dozens
of fishing tournaments yearl