Biking at Pocahontas State Park
(804) 796-4255
10301 State Park Rd
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Latitude: 37.373973
Longitude: -77.571782
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Blue Trail
Blue Trail is an approximately 3 mile moderate trail by mountain biking standards. It takes users through a similar environment to that of the Green Trail but experiences more inclines and declines as well as more obstacles such as dips, logs and rocks to navigate over, around, and through. This trail is accessible from the Old Mill Bicycle Trail near the Qualla lot trail access or from another point on the Old Mill Bicycle Trail slightly east.
Blaze Color: Blue
Usage:
- Length: 3
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Dips, Logs and Rocks
Bright Hope Trail
The Bright Hope Trail is perhaps one of Pocahontas State Park's best kept secrets. This 5.23 mile, moderate difficulty trail is in the quiet and remote portion of the park located south of Beach Road SR 655. The trail is a multi-use loop for hikers, bikers and horseback riders through the wooded, and otherwise undeveloped, area of the park. While using this trail it is easy to forget that you are within minutes of some of Virginia's most populated areas.
Usage:
- Length: 5.23
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Natural
Fendley Station Trail
The Fendley Station Trail is an extensive, moderate difficulty, 14 mile loop of connected trails with additional loops to explore. The trail incorporates portions of the Old Mill Bicycle Trail and connects to many other trails in the park. This trail circumnavigates the entire portion of the park north of State Route 655. For most of its length the Fendley Station Trail passes through mixed hardwood forest and some of the more remote park areas. Hikers should be well prepared and take along plenty of water if hiking these outlying portions of the trail. Horses are allowed on marked sections of Fendley Station Trail.
Blaze Color: Brown
Usage:
- Length: 13.71
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Gravel, Earth
Fendley Station Trail Loop A
This loop trail is an extension of the Fendley Station Trail in the far, northeast corner of the park. The loop connects the main trail to Dean Fire Road 152 and Courthouse Road SR 604. Horses are allowed on the trail.Do not ride on trails 24 hours after rain. Check the park's website for weather related closing of the mountain bike and equestion trails. Available at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/poc.shtml. After an inch of rain we ask that you hold off on riding the trails for 24 hours to conserve the hard work of our volunteers and staff. Help us keep your trails pristine!
Blaze Color: Brown
Usage:
- Length: 1.11
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Natural, Gravel
Fendley Station Trail, Loop B
This loop trail is an extension of the Fendley Station Trail along the northernmost section of the park, near Fire Road 120. The loop extends south into an otherwise undeveloped area of the park, climbing to an overlook of Swift Creek Lake. Horses are not allowed on this trail.Check the park's website for weather related closing of the mountain bike and equestion trails. Available at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/poc.shtml. After an inch of rain we ask that you hold off on riding the trails for 24 hours to conserve the hard work of our volunteers and staff. Helf us keep your trails pristine!
Blaze Color: Brown
Usage:
- Length: 0.9
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Natural, Gravel
Forest Exploration Trail
Forest Exploration Trail is a 2.5 mile, moderate difficulty, multi-use loop that is accessible by crossing the bridge over Swift Creek near the boat rental area. This trail takes users through the woods, passing a timber management project. The trail climbs through some slight changes in elevation and features some rest areas with benches along the way. The area has some nice overlooks of the lake and is an excellent location for observing the parks wildlife.
Blaze Color: Yellow
Usage:
- Length: 2.5
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Green Trail
Green Trail is an approximately 3 mile easy trail by mountain biking standards. It twists and turns and winds through the woods and experiences only a little elevation change. A few obstacles are tricky places are on this trail but signs give riders an advanced warning so that they may dismount and walk where they see fit. This trail is accessible from the Old Mill Bike Trail, and allows users to leave the trail at two places farther west on Old Mill.
Blaze Color: Green
Usage:
- Length: 3
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Horse Trails
There are more than ten miles of unnamed horse trails, in addition to the five miles of the Bright Hope Trail, accessible to equestrians who visit Pocahontas State Park. These trails pass through the remote, northeast corner and southern areas of the park. Pocahontas State Park is a virtual oasis for horseback riders and just minutes from some of Virginia's most populated areas. Check with park staff for specific information about equestrian facilities and regulations.
Usage:
- Length: 10.46
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Natural
Lakeview Mountain Bike Trail
The Lakeview Mountain Bike Trail is a 3.73 mile, moderate difficulty, mountain bike trail that makes a loop through the central portion of the park near the Algonquian Ecology Camp and the adjoining Powhatan Trail. Do not ride on trails 24 hours for each inch of rain. Check the park's website for weather related closing of the Mountain Bike Trails. Available at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/poc.shtml. Add: After an inch of rain we close the Mountain Bike Trails for 24 hours to conserve the hard work of our volunteer group the Friends of Pocahontas State Park that create and maintain these mountain bike trails. Help us keep your trails pristine! For more information about the Friends group and how you can get involved check out their website: http://www.fopsp.org/.
Usage:
- Length: 3.73
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Natural
Lakeview Too Mountain Bike Trail
Lakeview Too is the second addition to the Lakeview Mountain Biking Trail. It adds fun filled mileage and more views of Swift Creek Lake as bike your way through moderately hilly hardwoods and stream bottoms. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife while you bike your way along Swift Creek Lake. These Mountain Bike Trails are one way only. After an inch of rain we close the Mountain Bike Trails for 24 hours to conserve the hard work of our volunteer group the Friends of Pocahontas State Park that create and maintain these mountain bike trails.
Blaze Color: Cobalt Blue
Usage:
- Length: 2.35
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Muddy Buddy Trail
At it's southern terminus the Parallel Trail connects Fendley Station Trail and at it's northern terminus Fendley Station Trail again. Named after the wildly fun and popular 6 mile team bike & run event called the "Muddy Buddy" that uses this section of trail. The Muddy Buddy trail can be incorporated into your bike or run to make various loops in various lengths with Fendley Station Trail, the Parallel Trail and Old Mill Bicycle Trail.
Blaze Color: Tan
Usage:
- Length: 0.77
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Old Mill Bicycle Trail
The Old Mill Bicycle Trail is a 8.59 mile, moderate difficulty multi-use trail that makes an extended loop around Beaver Lake, the Beaver Lake Trail, and the Ground Pine Trail. The trail is easily accessible from the CCC museum as well as from a side trail that connects to the park office/contact station. The Qualla Trail provides yet another means of reaching this well used trail. This trail provides access to the park's mountain biking trails, the Ground Pine Trail, the Powhatan Trail and the Third Branch Trail.
Blaze Color: Green
Usage:
- Length: 8.59
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Gravel, Earth
Parallel Trail
At it's southern terminus the Parallel Trail connects Fendley Station Trail and at it's northern terminus Old Mill Bicycle Trail. It can be accessed from the visitor parking area across from the main park office. It "parallels" the main State Park Rd, hence the name. It can be incorporated into your bike or run to make various loops in various lengths with Fendley Station Trail, the Muddy Buddy Trail and Old Mill Bicycle Trail. It provides access to different portions of other trails, such as Fendley Station Trail without having to gain access from State Park Rd.
Blaze Color: Purple
Usage:
- Length: 0.42
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Powhatan Trail
The Powhatan Trail is a 2.5 mile moderate difficulty, multi-use trail that is accessible from the main park road near the Old Mill Bike Trail as well as from two places in the campground area. This wide trail has three distinct extensions that form two loops, taking users through woods and campgrounds and occasional elevation changes. The smaller loop trail follows the shoreline of Swift Creek Lake with numerous opportunities to spot deer, turkey, and other wildlife in the surrounding forest. For photographers, this trail is especially attractive when the yellow poplar and red maples turn to brilliant colors.
Blaze Color: Red
Usage:
- Length: 2.5
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Qualla Connector Trail
This trail is an easy, multi-use connector from the parking area off Qualla Road to the Old Mill Bicycle Trail.
Blaze Color: Pink
Usage:
- Length: 0
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Red Trail
Red Trail is an approximately 3 mile moderate/hard trail by mountain biking standards. While the inclines on this trail are not much more challenging than those found on the blue or green trails, this trail has many more obstacles and is much more technical. This trail is accessible from the Old Mill Bike Trail near the Blue Trail Access, where red and blue fork apart. This trail is for expert riders only. Those wishing to ride need a bike with good shocks. Proceed with extreme caution on this trail.
Blaze Color: Red
Usage:
- Length: 3
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Dips, Logs and Rocks
Other Activities At Pocahontas State Park: Hiking, Boating and Water Sports, Camping, Educational Activities, Fishing, Gifts and Shopping, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Picnicking, Swimming, Wildlife Activities and Canoeing And Kayaking
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