Machicomoco State Park

Machicomoco State Park is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of the Virginia Indian tribes’ histories and their futures, their use of the region’s natural resources, and their significance within the larger history of the commonwealth and ultimately the nation.

The park’s goal is to present this information to the public while providing recreational opportunities that allow visitors to interact with these resources in a sustainable and enjoyable manner.

At a glance:

  • 645 acres
  • 13 full-service sites
  • 14 walk-in primitive sites
  • 3 yurts
  • Interpretive area
  • 2 picnic shelters
  • 0.7-mile interpretive walking trail
  • ADA-compliant car-top launch
  • Boat slip for larger motorized craft
  • 3 miles of paved trail
  • 2 miles of wooded trails

Machicomoco State Park
3601 Timberneck Farm Road
Hayes, VA 23072
804-642-2419
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/machicomoco

Virginia’s 40th state park, Machicomoco — Algonquian for “a special meeting place” — is located along the York River in southern Gloucester County.

Amenities

Campground

Spanning 645 acres, Machicomoco features 30 overnight sites composed of 14 walk-in primitive tent sites without water or electric; 13 full service sites with water and electric that accommodate RVs as long as 50 ft.; and three yurts without water or electric.

A dump station and a bathhouse with hot showers are also available to overnight guests.

Day-use area

An interpretive area developed in close partnership with the Virginia Tribes highlights the history of the Virginia Indians in a timeline-walk and an educational trail. An open-air educational structure, modeled after an Algonquian longhouse, features panels about life, land, community and travel. The landscape plantings in this area feature native plants important to Virginia Indian culture. In the future, interpretive and educational programming will be offered here.

Two large picnic shelters, each with their own electric hookups, are available to reserve and make for great family reunions and community get-togethers.

Boating

Recreational opportunities at the park include an ADA accessible car-top boat launch area, utilizing a pier with a floating dock, which will allow guests to explore the Poplar Creek tidal ecology and provide access to York River by paddle craft.

A larger boat slip also provides motorized vessels access to the park. Boaters coming from the York River can tie-up for the day, explore the park and return to their craft for departure before dark.

Hiking and biking

Three miles of a paved trail that parallels the main road make for easy walking and biking, while two miles of wooded trail skirt the wetlands and provide views of the Catlett Islands and plentiful birding opportunities.

Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

Park Leadership

Secretary of Natural Resources: Matthew J. Strickler
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Director: Clyde Cristman
Virginia State Parks Director: Dr. Melissa Baker
Eastern Field Operations Director: Tim Schrader
Tidewater District Manager: Ann Zahn
Park Manager: Terry Sims

Additional Resources

Public domain images and video of the park are available to view and download at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcopros2/albums/72157718564224150/with/51084176846/

Please use the credit line "Photo courtesy of Virginia State Parks".

To request additional information, contact:

Dave Neudeck
Public Communications and Marketing Director
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
804-786-5053, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov

or

Andrew Sporrer
Public Relations and Marketing Specialist
Virginia State Parks
804-217-1077, andrew.sporrer@dcr.virginia.gov

 



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