James River State Park

General Information

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the park features rolling grasslands, quiet forests and beautiful views, as well as 3 miles of shoreline along the James River.

Visitors can hike, bike, canoe, kayak, fish or tent camp on the banks of the historic river or at Branch Pond. Facilities include cabins, a visitor center, a gift shop, a natural playground, picnic shelters, multi-use trails, boat launches, water/electric campgrounds and equestrian camping. The park also has a universally accessible fishing pier and a .25-mile-long wheelchair-accessible trail around Green Hill Pond.

The park is also great for viewing the annual James River Batteau Festival. A replica of one of the unusual vessels is displayed at the visitor center.

James River received the International Dark Sky Park designation in 2019 and is ideal for stargazing. Park staff conducts associated interpretive programs throughout the year. Contact the park for more information on star-watching opportunities.

To lessen debris and its impact on wildlife, James River is a trash-in, trash-out facility. Guests will find trash collection sites at the canoe landing campground, near the cabin area entrance and by the park entrance.

Hours

Dawn to dusk.

Location

Buckingham County. From U.S. 60 West, turn right onto Route 605 (Riverside Dr.) at the James River Bridge. Travel seven miles, then turn left onto Route 606.

Its address is 104 Green Hill Drive, Gladstone, VA 24553; Latitude, 37.623271. Longitude, -78.809896.

• From Richmond, travel west on Rt. 60 towards Amherst for about 95 miles. Turn right onto Rt. 605 (Riverside Dr.), and go 7 miles to the park entrance on the left.
• From Lynchburg, travel east on 460 to Appomattox. Take the Rt. 26 exit (Business 460). Turn left at stop light onto Rt. 26 (Oakville Rd.). Continue about 12 miles to stop sign at Rt. 60 and go straight across Rt. 60 onto Rt. 605 (Riverside Dr.). Continue 7 miles to the park entrance on left.
• From Charlottesville, travel south on Rt. 29 and take the Rt. 60 east exit in Amherst. Travel 15 miles, then turn left on Rt. 605 (Riverside Drive). Go 7 miles and turn left at park entrance.
• From Farmville, travel Rt. 15 north to Dillwyn, Sprouse's Corner. Turn left onto Rt. 60 west and continue for about 25 miles. Turn right on Rt. 605 (Riverside Dr.) and go about 7 miles to park entrance on left.
• Drive Time: Northern Va., three hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, four hours; Roanoke, two hours; Charlottesville, one and a half hours; Lynchburg, 50 minutes.

Park Size

1,561 acres.

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Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

The park has primitive camping, regular camping, cabins and lodges. For information on the availability of 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.

Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for cabin stays.

Visit a Flickr photoset of typical cabins and lodges at the park. Cabins and lodges vary. Dwellings may not match what's shown in the photos.

Cabins | Lodges | Camping

Cabins

Cabins are rented by the week between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Rentals for cabins 1-4 and 6-9 begin on Saturday, and rentals for cabins 10-15, 17 and 18 begin on Sunday. This requirement is reduced to a four-night stay three months out and dropped to two nights in the last month before arrival. A two-night minimum stay is required for the rest of the year.

No bed rentals. Late arriving guests will find on the entrance station door a note with instructions detailing how to register the following morning and a park map with directions to the cabin. Guests must have the reservation number for each reservation.

• Amenities: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, microwave oven, toaster, can opener, clock radio
• Check-in is at 4 p.m. Check-out is 10 a.m.
• No linens are provided. Guests must bring all linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, bath mats, dish towels, cloths and pot holders.
• Consider bringing dish detergent, paper towels, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, toiletries, bath towels, flashlights, board games, cards and camp chairs.
• No dishwasher, phone, TV, washer or dryer. There's a coin laundry in the Red Oak Campground, open from March 1 through the first Monday in December.
• No smoking.
• A courtesy phone for emergency and local calls is available at the contact station.
• Fireplace
• The park provides a free bundle of firewood. More firewood can be bought at the cabin loop.
• Rustic furniture; mission style
• Living area: dining table, chairs
• Bedrooms: bed(s), nightstands, dresser, closet with hangers, clock radio
• Heated and air-conditioned with heat-pumps
• Boat launching is free to overnight guests. There are no designated swimming areas.
• Picnic tables and fire-rings for cabin guests are available in the cabin area.
• Wrap-around deck; open porch with rocking chairs and end tables
• Cabins 11 and 18 are wheelchair-accessible. Cabin 18 has one queen bed, a set of bunk beds and a couch with a pull-out bed in the living area.
• Two vehicles are allowed per two-bedroom cabin, and three vehicles are allowed per three-bedroom cabin. A daily parking fee is charged for all other vehicles, which must be parked in the designated overflow parking area.
• Quiet hours begin at 10 p.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m.
• The park has no water-view cabins per se.

Total sites of each cabin type: 2-bedroom frame, 14; 3-bedroom frame, 2; 6-bedroom lodge, 2

Cabin Types

2-bedroom frame cabin - maximum six people, one bath, one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four)

3-bedroom frame cabin - maximum eight people, two baths, one queen bed, two single beds in the second bedroom, two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four) in the third bedroom

6-bedroom lodge – maximum 16 people, three baths, universally accessible, two queen size beds in two bedrooms, two single beds in two bedrooms, two sets of bunk beds each in two bedrooms (sleeps four in each room)

Total: 16 cabins; 2 lodges.

Lodges

Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, lodges are rented by the week. Lodge 5’s rental starts on Saturday, and lodge 16’s on Sunday. This requirement is reduced to a four-night stay three months out and dropped to two nights in the last month before arrival. A two-night minimum stay is required the rest of the year. Late arriving guests will find a note on the entrance station door explaining how to register the following morning. A map with directions to the given lodge will also be there. Guests must have the reservation number for each reservation.

• Maximum occupancy: 16 (no bed rentals)
• Check-in is at 4 p.m. Check-out is 10 a.m.
• Amenities: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, microwave oven, toaster, can opener, clock radio, washer, dryer
• No linens are provided. Guests must bring all linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, bath mats, dish towels, cloths and pot holders.
• Consider bringing paper towels, coffee filters, cooking spray, salt and pepper, toiletries, flashlights, board games, cards and camp chairs.
• No dishwasher, phone or TV
• A courtesy phone for emergency and local calls is available at the contact station.
• Rustic furniture; mission style
• Living area has a dining table and chairs
• Picnic tables and fire-rings available for cabin guests in the cabin area
• Deck has an open porch with rocking chairs and end tables.
• Maximum six cars; a daily parking fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must be parked in the designated overflow parking area.
• Bedrooms - beds, nightstands, dresser, closet with hangers, clock radio
  • Two bedrooms have queen size beds
  • Two bedrooms each have two single beds
  • Two bedrooms each have two sets of bunk beds (four people per room)
• Lodges are universally accessible.
• Boat launching is free to overnight guests. There are no designated swimming areas.
• No smoking
• Fireplace with gas logs
• Heated and air-conditioned with a heat pump
• Washer and dryer
• Quiet hours begin at 10 p.m.; only overnight guests are permitted in the park after that time.

Camping

Camping reservations are highly recommended, and all campgrounds are site-specific - call 1-800-933-7275. The park has five campgrounds. Three of them, Branch Pond, Walnut Grove and Canoe Landing, are open year-round for primitive camping. There are primitive restrooms at those campgrounds. Drinking water is unavailable in the primitive campgrounds, but potable water is available at four of the five picnic shelters. Canoe Landing is the only campground on the river. Please note that primitive sites do not have electricity.

Red Oak Campground has 30 sites with water and electricity and a full-service bathhouse with laundry facilities. The campground, about one mile from the primitive campgrounds, is open annually from the first Friday in March to the first Monday in December. It is not on the river. Click here for a chart and details of the sites that can be specifically reserved and here for photos of them. Check-in is 4 at p.m.; check-out is 1 p.m. If you arrive earlier than 4 p.m., the park will accommodate you as soon as possible. You are welcome to enjoy the park until then.

Campers without a reservation, i.e., walk-ins, should make sure a site is available before submitting payment at the pay station. Visit the contact station or park office to reserve additional nights to ensure availability.

Note: You must have your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter with you at check-in. If someone else is checking in for you, make sure that person has reservation information. Be prepared to show a valid ID.

Branch Pond - Seven primitive sites in a wooded area about two miles from the river (BranchPondPrimTent). Tents only. Each site has a tent pad.

Canoe Landing - Ten primitive sites with river access (CanoeLandingPrimTent). Tents only - parking at the campsite. These sites are to the left of the canoe launch when facing the river. No tent pads. Rooftop tent friendly. Limited anchoring ability for hammocks.

Walnut Grove – Five primitive sites, shaded. Short walk to the river. Tents only. No tent pads, electricity or water. Rooftop tent friendly. Limited anchoring ability for hammocks.

Canoe Landing Group Campsite (one primitive site; CLGroupCampsitePrim) - There's a group site near the canoe landing. The site accommodates up to 42 people - no hookups, tents only. It's near a restroom and features a fire ring with a flip grill, picnic tables and a pedestal grill. There's a $30 fee for canceling a group-camping reservation.

Red Oak Campground (30 sites, RedOakEW40ft)

Electric and water hookups; the sites are shaded and can accommodate various equipment (tents, pop-ups and RVs) up to 40 feet. The sites have large tent pads and wide driveways for bump-outs.

• All sites have electric pedestals, which have 20, 30 and 50 AMP outlets.
• Campsites have fire-ring grills, one picnic table and a lantern hanger.
• Full-service bathhouse with hot showers and wash sink for dishes; the bathhouse has four unisex showers, one of which is universally accessible.
• Coin laundry facility, two washers and dryers
• Showers are for campers only
• All equipment must be set up within site borders. Tent pads are about 15 by 24 feet.
• Two vehicles are allowed per campsite. A parking fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must park in designated areas. Guests visiting campers must pay a daily parking fee, park in designated areas and leave by 10 p.m.
• A dump station is free for overnight camping guests; non-overnight guests must pay a small fee to use the dump station.
• A boat launch is free for overnight guests.
• Firewood is available for a small fee; fire starters are available at the contact station and visitor center.
• Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet when outside, and keep pets inside at night.

Horseshoe Campground (9 sites HorseshoeEW40ft)

Electric and water hookups; the sites are pull-through and allow two trailers to share a common area between them. There are 20 covered horse stalls and five tent pads.

• All sites have electric pedestals, which have 20, 30 and 50-amp outlets.
• Campsites have a fire-ring grill, one picnic table and a lantern hanger.
• Full-service bathhouse with hot showers. The bathhouse has four unisex showers, one of which is universally accessible.
• Showers are for camping guests only.
• All equipment must be set up within site borders. Two vehicles are allowed per campsite. A fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must be parked in designated areas. Guests visiting campers must leave by 10 p.m.
• A dump station is free for overnight camping guests; non-campers guests must pay a small fee to use it.
• A boat launch is free for overnight guests.
• Firewood is available for a small fee; fire starters are available at the camp store, contact station and visitor center.
• Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet when outside, and keep pets inside at night.
• Groups with numbers greater than that typically allowed here must apply for a special-use permit at least three weeks before their stay.
• Horses must be kept in a stall.
• Bedding for stalls is not provided. The park sells cedar shaving bedding at the contact station and visitor center. Rakes, wheelbarrows and buckets are available.
• State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a current negative Coggins report with each horse brought to the park.

Total sites of each type: RedOakEW40ft, 30; CanoeLandingPrimTent, 10; BranchPondPrimTent, 7; WalnutGrovePrimTent, 5; CLGroupCampsitePrim, 1; HorseshoeEW40ft, 9.

A contact station is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends after Labor Day when the weather is suitable. Otherwise, pay-station parking and camping are strictly enforced.

Recreation

TRAILS

The park has 22 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and bridle use. Tye River Overlook, Green Hill Pond Trail and the fishing pier are wheelchair-accessible.

SWIMMING

There are no designated swimming areas. Holliday Lake State Park, 25 miles away, has lake swimming.

FISHING, BOATING

The park is a hot spot for smallmouth bass fishing, and catfish, panfish and the occasional river gar can also be caught. The park also has three freshwater ponds for those who prefer more sedate fishing. A freshwater fishing license is required.

Boating - This park has a car-top launch in the canoe landing area and a boat launch at Dixon Landing.

View the James River State Park paddling and boating safety video.

HORSES

There are none for rent, but visitors may bring their horses to use bridle trails. See the camping section above for information about overnight horse facilities here. State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a current negative Coggins report with each horse brought to the park.

Park Trail Guide

Click here for the park's trail guide.

Click here for its general facilities guide.

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

Download the geo-referenced map for this park

Nearby Attractions

• Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
• Museum of the Confederacy, Appomattox
• Appomattox Tourism
• Bear Creek Lake State Park
• Twin Lakes State Park
• Holliday Lake State Park

Picnic Shelters

Five shelters are available for rent. They can be rented from 8 a.m. to dark (all day). Parking fees are not included in the shelter rental. All shelters are universally accessible.

Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before the reserved date. Before then, a cancellation fee is deducted from the refund.

Amenities: All large shelters are universally accessible and have access to nearby restrooms and a large party grill (1,368 square inches). All shelters accommodate up to 75 people. Three shelters have electricity and a light. Four shelters have a water hydrant.

Shelter 1: In the picnic area on the way to the canoe landing campsites. In a wooded area close to a restroom (100 feet). Large parking lot. The shelter features an electrical outlet, lights and a water hydrant. The park's Children's Discovery Area (a natural playground) is next to this shelter.

Shelter 2: In the picnic area on the way to the canoe landing campsites. Woods surround this shelter. It's the most secluded shelter and is about 300 feet from a restroom. There's a small parking lot, but more parking is nearby. The shelter has a water hydrant. No electricity.

Shelter 3: Near the amphitheater. It is conveniently located near Shelter 4 for larger groups and 500 feet from a restroom. Large parking lot with separate driveway. This shelter has a water hydrant. No electricity.

Shelter 4: Near the amphitheater and a short walk from Green Hill Pond. Less than 100 feet from a restroom. Parking pull-off with additional parking nearby. The shelter features an electrical outlet, lights and a water hydrant. Near Shelter 3.

Shelter 5: Beside Green Hill Pond, offers the best view of the pond and river. Near the visitor center and 400 feet from a restroom. One hundred feet from a wheelchair-accessible trail and fishing pier. Small parking lot with additional parking nearby. The shelter features an electrical outlet and lights. There is no water hydrant.

Meeting Space and Facilities

MEETING FACILITIES

A meeting room in the visitor center can comfortably hold 15 people. The room has tables, chairs, a large-screen TV and full audiovisual capabilities. It's perfect for a small group meeting.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP

The visitor center has a large aquarium, a replica bateau and information on the area's rich history. The center also houses park offices and a gift shop.

RESTAURANT

None, but the camp store has ice, food, snacks, ice cream, soda and more. There is a country store at Bent Creek, about seven miles from the park where Routes 60 and 605 intersect. The nearest restaurants and grocery stores are in Appomattox (19 miles) and Amherst (22 miles).

LAUNDRY

The Red Oak Campground bathhouse has a coin operated laundry.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

The visitor center houses numerous displays and signs describing the area's natural and cultural heritage. A meeting room in the building is often used for environmental education programs.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• A natural hillside amphitheater here seats about 500 and features a 25' x 30' lighted stage.
• James River floating and fishing
• Tye River Overlook
• Wetland impoundment

Other Info

ACCESSIBILITY:

• Visitor center
• Green Hill Trail Fishing Pier (pavement and board)
• Tye River Overlook
• Picnic shelters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
• Restrooms 1, 2 and 3
• Lodges 5 and 16 and cabins 11 and 18 are wheelchair-accessible.
• Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS

Programs are offered on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on some weekends during spring and fall by request. They include hikes, campfire programs, canoe floats, wagon rides, children's programs, crafts and more.

The park also hosts educational programs during the school year, and outreach programs are available to schools in the surrounding counties.

The park can accommodate requests for special programs. Call (434) 933-4395 or email jamesriver@dcr.virginia.gov for details.

Click here to view the park's events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

CONCESSIONS

None.

HISTORY

The waters of the James have shaped life in this area's past and will shape its future. Monacan Indians, the earliest known settlers, hunted, fished and traveled the river. In the early 1700s, the Cabell family settled along the river, cultivated the rich soils of the floodplain and shipped produce down river to Richmond. A flat-bottomed boat known as the bateau was invented and the Kanawha canal was built to make travel and shipping on the river easier. The James River brought people to this area, provided for their needs and helped them build a future.

FRIENDS GROUP

The Friends of James River State Park group helps the park with financial support and volunteerism. This nonprofit group enhances park programs, activities and facilities. Friends also increase the public’s awareness of the park’s educational and recreation benefits and opportunities. The group promotes the stewardship of James River State Park's natural and cultural resources. Visit the group's website for more detail.

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.