Powhatan State Park

General Information

You'll find Powhatan State Park in the northwest corner of Powhatan County on the historic James River. The park has three car-top boat slides accessing the river as well as diverse wildlife habitat, from open fields to upland hardwood forests. Other amenities include a full-service campground, a primitive canoe-in/hike-in campground, a group campground, multi-use trails, wildlife observation areas, picnic shelters and a playground.

Hours

Dawn - dusk.

Location

The park's address is 4616 Powhatan State Park Rd., Powhatan, VA 23139. Latitude, 37.659728. Longitude, -77.922978. Some GPS units provide incorrect directions so carefully follow the directions below.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, two hours; Richmond, 45 minutes; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two and a half hours; Roanoke, three hours

Directions:

From I-95 north of Richmond, take I-64 west to exit 167 for VA-617 toward Oilville/Goochland. Turn left onto State Rte 617/Oilville Rd. (signs for J Sargeant Reynolds, Goochland). Turn right onto US-250W, follow approximately 0.8 miles, and make a left onto State Rte 632 Fairgrounds Rd. Follow 632 approximately 3 miles and make a left onto State Rte 634 Maidens Rd. At the stoplight, continue straight onto Route 522 (Maidens Rd.) drive about 1.9 miles to Route 617 west (Old River Trail). Turn right and go about 1.5 miles to the park entrance on the right.

From I-64 west of Richmond, take exit 159 to Gum Springs-Goochland and follow Route 522-S until it joins Route 6. Turn left at the stoplight onto Route 522-S and Route 6-E, then turn right onto Maidens Road (Route 522-S) and go about 1.9 miles. Next, turn right onto Route 617 (Old River Trail) and go about 1.5 miles. The park entrance is on the right.

From I-64 east of Richmond, take I-64 west through Richmond to exit 167 for VA-617 toward Oilville/Goochland. Turn left onto State Rte 617/Oilville Rd. (signs for J Sargeant Reynolds, Goochland). Turn right onto US-250W, follow approximately 0.8 miles, and make a left onto State Rte 632 Fairgrounds Rd. Follow 632 approximately 3 miles and make a left onto State Rte 634 Maidens Rd. At the stoplight, continue straight onto Route 522 (Maidens Rd.) drive about 1.9 miles to Route 617 west (Old River Trail). Turn right and go about 1.5 miles to the park entrance on the right.

Park Size

1,565 acres.

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Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

Camping. See below.  For information on the availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK.
Click here for park fees. See details on reservation cancellations and transfer policies (near the bottom of the page).

Cabins: None in the park, but nearby Bear Creek Lake and Twin Lakes state parks have cabins.

The park does not sell food or drinks.

Late arrival packets are located at the park office.

Yurts | Camping

Yurts

Recreational yurts are a modern adaptation of an ancient nomadic shelter. Functionally speaking, they’re a cross between a tent and a cabin. The park has three yurts in the main campground. Each yurt has a large wooden deck with patio tables, a picnic table and a fire-ring with cooking grate. Reservations are required. Parking for two vehicles is allowed. Those with additional vehicles must pay a daily parking fee and park in the overflow lot by the campground entrance. See images of typical yurts.

Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m. The rental season begins on the first Friday in March and ends on the first Sunday of December. Cabin rental and cancellation policies apply. There is a two-night minimum rental during camping season. Here are the transfer and cancellation policies.

• Maximum occupancy four. Sleeps three. One queen-sized and a twin-sized trundle pull-out. Guests must bring pillows and all linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels and cloths.
• No smoking, cooking or pets allowed in the yurt.
• Each yurt has a water spigot but no electricity.
• Dining table seats four, rocking chairs and a couch.
• No heat or air-conditioning.
• Guests use the campground bathhouse.
• Yurt A is ADA-accessible.

Camping

River Bend Campground has 29 campsites with electric  (20/30/50 amp) and water hookups for various equipment – tents, popups and RVs up to 60 feet long. The campground offers no river views. Check-in is 4 p.m., and check-out is 1 p.m. Campers are welcome to arrive earlier but cannot be guaranteed a site until the official check-in time. All sites are available for site-specific reservations. The campground is open from the first Friday in March to the first Monday in December. The campground has a bathhouse with restrooms with hot showers. Sites have fire-rings, picnic tables and lantern holders.
Descriptions of site-specific campsites.
Photos of the site-specific campsites.
Campground Map

• Tents must fit on the 25' by 35' tent pad.
• Outlets accept 20, 30 and 50-amp current.
• All camping equipment and vehicles must fit on the campsite. Sites are limited to two camping units, only one of which may be axled. Site rental includes parking fees for no more than two vehicles. All additional vehicles must be parked in the overflow area. Customers must pay parking fees for additional vehicles.
• Those visiting overnight guests must pay a daily parking fee and leave the park by 10 p.m.
• Quiet time is from 10 p.m. through 8 a.m.
• Campsites have round grills on a cement pad on the ground. The grill may be used to make a campfire or for cooking. Campfires are allowed only in the designated area.
• Site 13 is paved and closest to the bathhouse.

Primitive - A canoe-in or hike-in campground, accessible by the James River, has nine primitive sites (no electricity or water) and is open year-round. Those sites can be reserved online or by calling 800-933-7275. Some are held for walk-in or canoe-in only; park staff cannot guarantee the availability of those sites prior to your arrival. Up to six guests and two camping units are allowed per site. Sites have one 12 x 12 pad with a picnic table and grill and one 16 X 16 pad with a lantern hanger. The campground has a composting toilet but no bathhouse. There's also a parking lot .2 miles away; campers may hike with gear to the campground.

PLEASE NOTE: Starting January 2022, these sites are site-specific and the site number you choose will be assigned to you. See photos of the sites available for reservation and amenities.

If you have a large group that would like to camp together, please consider the Group Campground listed below.

Group Camp - The park has a four-campsite campground for tents only. It's for clubs, scout troops and large family events and accommodates up to 24 campers total. There's a restroom without running water, but there are two water spigots in the area. The River Bend Campground bathhouse is about .5 miles away. 

Recreation

TRAILS

The park has about 12 miles of multi-use trails through various habitats, including field edge, upland pine forest and mature hardwoods. The trails provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft at all times.

SWIMMING

There are no designated swimming areas.

FISHING, BOATING

The park has about 2.5 miles of James River waterfront. The park has three canoe slide launches for access to the river. Boats launched from trailers are not permitted on these slides. A Department of Wildlife Resources boat launch at Maidens off route 522 just north of the park allows such trailer access. Fishing access to the riverbank is limited because of high bluffs. Fishing licenses are required and are available from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Visitors launching a canoe or kayak from Launch A may take a 2-mile float downriver to Launch C. This stretch of water is generally flat. Check with this National Weather Service web page for current river water levels. Powhatan State Park is located between the Cartersville and Westham gauges for the James River. Visit the James River Watch website for current swimming and boating conditions here. Launch B, at the primitive campsite, is for campers only. The park does not offer any shuttle service. However,  those who float to or from locations outside the park will be charged an extra $5 for their drop-off or retrieval vehicle.

HORSES

The park has about 9 miles of multi-use trail for horseback riding. Horse trailer parking is available 0.5 miles past the playground area in the equestrian trailhead parking lot. Come prepared to clean up after your horse(s) in the parking area and pack it out with you. Also, state law requires that visitors carry a copy of a negative Coggins report for each horse. 

Park Trail Guide

Click here for the park's trail guide.

Click here for the All-Terrain Wheelchairs map for this park.

Download (external link for use with Avenza App) the geo-referenced map

Download the geo-referenced map for this park

Nearby Attractions

Nearby state parks: Bear Creek Lake, Holliday Lake, Pocahontas, Sailor’s Creek Battlefield, and Twin Lakes.

Powhatan and Goochland counties have many restaurants, shops, farmers markets, historic sites and other family activities. They also have wineries and breweries.

For more information, visit:

• Goochland Chamber of Commerce
• Powhatan Chamber of Commerce

Livery and kayak rental business near the park: Maiden Voyage Outfitters 

Picnic Shelters

The park has three large picnic shelters. Each has picnic tables and a large charcoal grill. None has electricity or water. Parking fees are not included with the shelter rental fees and must be paid upon entering the park. The shelters have no electricity, and generators are not permitted. As throughout the park, alcohol is allowed only in private areas (e.g., in a cabin or camping unit) and areas covered by permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Shelter 1 is surrounded by grass and woods in an upland area of the park, more than a mile from the river. It is about 100 feet from a restroom and an accessible playground, and 40 feet from a parking lot. The land around the shelter is flat, and a gravel path leads from the parking lot sidewalk.

Shelter 2 is surrounded by grass and woods in the upland area of the park, more than a mile from the river. It is about 75 feet from a restroom and an accessible playground, and 40 feet from a parking lot. The land around the shelter is flat, and a gravel path leads from the parking lot sidewalk.

Shelter 3 is next to the river near the boat slide launch. The shelter is within 300 feet of a restroom (no water) and small parking area. There is additional parking 500 feet away. The area around the shelter is flat and wooded. A gravel path leads from the parking area to the shelter.

Picnic shelters are available by reservation by calling the Customer Service Center at 800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees. Shelters can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all day).

Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.

Meeting Space and Facilities

MEETING FACILITIES

The park has no indoor meeting facilities, but picnic shelters are available to rent year-round.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP

A gift shop is in the park office. Stop by for a Powhatan State Park t-shirt, pin, patch, hiking medallion and other fun items.

RESTAURANT

None within the park but there are numerous nearby eateries in Powhatan and Goochland counties.

LAUNDRY

There's a facility at the River Bend Campground bath house.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

Nature programs are held at various locations in the park.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Junior Ranger booklets are available at the park office.

Other Info

ACCESSIBILITY

• Restrooms: All are accessible.
• Yurt A, campsite 13 and the campground bathhouse are accessible.
• Playground: The playground has an ADA-compliant swing set, transfer platform on the climbing structure and sidewalk leading to the area from a parking lot.
• Shelters: Extended picnic tables, a gravel walkway leading from parking lot to shelter and a smooth concrete floor.
• Parking: Designated parking areas are near the shelters, office, restrooms, contact station and trail heads.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS

Click here to view all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs. Contact the park for information about field trips.

CONCESSIONS

None at this park.

HISTORY

Powhatan State Park was the vision of many in the Powhatan County community and several members of the general assembly. In 2003, 1,565 acres were transferred from the Department of Juvenile Justice to the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the development of a park. It is meant to fill a need in central Virginia for a state park with access to the James River and with day-use and overnight facilities.

FRIENDS GROUP

Feel like lending nature a hand? The Friends of Powhatan State Park is a group of hands-on volunteers dedicated to preserving the park and supporting its mission. Membership applications are available through the group or the park office.

MASTER PLAN

Master plans must be written for parks before they're built. The plans are updated at least once every 10 years thereafter. The plans cover the size, types, infrastructure and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Three public meetings are held during the initial development of each plan. Click here for this park's master plan.