Chippokes Plantation State Park

Cedar Lane

Cedar Lane is the formal historic drive leading to Chippokes. The 1.2 miles in the park afford visitors the opportunity to stroll its length and imagine themselves arriving at Chippokes during the 19th Century. Cedar Lane forms a portion of the Chippokes Creek Equestrian Area and is shared by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders. Bikes can be rented at the Camp store.

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College Run Trail

The College Run Trail is a 1.2 mile paved trail for hiking and biking that connects the Visitor Center to the historical area. The trail may also be accessed from the James River beach and from several places along the park road which parallels it. While this trail is entirely paved it does rise and fall in elevation so plan accordingly. Bikes can be rented at the Camp store.

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Equestrian Area

The Equestrian Area provides access to an 8.2 mile network of multi-use trails that may be enjoyed by hikers, bikers and equestrian enthusiasts. The area also includes a corral and running water for horses. Primarily following the boundaries of the agricultural fields, the trails connect the woodlands along the James River to the historic area and the length of Cedar Lane. While riding theses trails, one can easily imagine the grandeur of this historic plantation. Bikes can be rented at the Camp store.

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Forestry Trail

The Forestry Trail is a 0.3 mile trail that is accessible from the main entrance road near the Farm & Forestry Museum. The trail passes through the woods and ends at the Sawmill Exhibit. Along the way hikers will find benches and several interpretive stations with information about forestry practices and species of trees in the area. A unique aspect of this trail is the spotting tubes to aid park visitors in locating specific features along the trail. Bikes can be rented at the Camp store.

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James River Trail

The James River Trail is a .7 mile easy, mostly flat trail that connects the the mansion to the beach. Along the way the trail winds around some of the fields, through a wooded area, and along the James River. The path is very wide and shared with equestrians. Visitors are reminded to wear bug repellent, especially during the warmer months. The trail is accessible from the College Run Trail, the main entrance road, and Cedar Lane. Bikes can be rented at the Camp store.

Blaze Color: Red

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Lower Chippokes Creek Trail

The Lower Chippokes Creek Trail is a straight, wide, flat trail that runs along the same field as the James River Trail and takes visitors into a wooded area along Chippokes Creek where a small floating dock is located. Here users may launch canoes and participate in some of the park's interpretive canoing programs. The trail is accessed from the College Run Trail, the main entrance road, or Cedar Lane. Bikes can be rented at the Camp store.

Blaze Color: Green

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Camping Area

Reservations for camping, cabins and picnic shelters can be made by calling the Virginia State Park Reservation Center weekdays at 1-800-933-PARK (7275). The camping area is located around a small paved loop that is located near the visitor center and is accessible to the right of the main entrance road as you enter the park. Campsites all have picnic tables, posts to hang lanterns, outdoor grills, and water and electricity hookups for RVs. A small area for primitive camping is located on the far side of the loop. This area offers several picnic tables and a few outdoor grills. A showerhouse is also located in the middle of the loop and has 5 individual showers plus restrooms.

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Call Park (757) 294-3625
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.6320 -76° 44.5990

Conference Shelter

A large conference shelter may be reserved for special events. It is located near the historical area and is accessible from the main entrance road or by cedar lane by taking a right turn upon reaching the main entrance road. This facility is a simple outdoor shelter similar to the picnic shelters only this offers a kitchen and is screened to keep insects out.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Mon-Sun: 9 A.M.-3 P.M. or 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.2280 -76° 43.2610

Chippokes Mansion

Tours of the 19th century Chippokes Mansion are available weekends April through October and other times by reservation for groups of 10 or more. In the spring, special tours of the mansion and gardens are offered in conjunction with Garden Week. During the Christmas season, the mansion is decked in Victorian period decorations and open for tours.The mansion was built by the Jones in the 1850's. It was then occupied by the Stewarts throughout the 20th century who ended up donating the plantation to the state.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (757) 294-3625
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.3130 -76° 43.2600

Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum

Imagine living on a farm in rural Virginia in 1850. Visit the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum and see for yourself how our ancestors endured this rugged life. Chippokes, one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country, is endowed with thousands of artifacts. Many have been generously donated so that the story of Virginia's agriculture and forestry communities may be told.Hours:April - May: Saturday and Sunday, 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.June - August: Friday through Monday, 10 A.M.. - 5 p.m.September - October: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.November - March: closed(Operating hours subject to change.)

• Season/Hours: Spring, Summer, Fall/See Summary
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.4850 -76° 43.6590

Picnic Shelters

Picnic areas include drinking water, grills and restroom facilities. Reservations for shelter are recommended and can be made by calling the Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK. All shelter guests must pay applicable parking and swimming fees. Parking, swim fees and other concessions are not included in the shelter rental.Shelter #1: Small shelter. Can accommodate 30-35 people. No electricity.Shelter #2: Large shelter. Can accommodate 60-65 people. Has electrical outlet.

• Season/Hours: All Year/8 A.M. to dusk (all day), 8 a.m. to 3 P.M., or 3 p.m. to dusk
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.7870 -76° 44.4280

Pool Complex

There is an Olympic sized pool and separate kiddie pool for swimming. It features handicapped parking, paved walkways (ramp from parking area), and a bathhouse at ground level. Olympic-sized pool has hydro-pneumatic lift for those in wheelchairs. Pool depths range from 2 to 5 feet and 12 feet in the diving area. This facility may be reserved before or after normal pool hours by calling the park, 757-294-0040. Memorial Day-Labor Day: Mon-Fri, 10 A.M. - noon or 7 P.M. - 9 p.m.

• Season/Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day/Mon-Fri, 10 A.M. - noon or 7 P.M. - 9 p.m.
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.6320 -76° 44.5990

Cabins

The park has 3 rentable cabins. Cabin 1 (Spratley House) - Two bedroom cabin. Sleeps four; allows six. Cabin 2 (Brown House) - Three bedroom cabin. Sleeps six; Allows eight. Cabin 3 (Osborne House) - One bedroom cabin. ADA accessible. Sleeps two. The cabins are Colonial style and have heating and air conditioning. Each has a TV-VCR. Bring food, coffee filters, coffee, salt, pepper, non-stick cooking spray, board games, cards, extra towels, washcloths, dish towels, etc. There's no dishwasher, phone, washer or dryer. Pets are allowed with a fee of $10 per pet per night. Call 1-800-933-PARK for more details.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (757) 294-3625
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.1040 -76° 43.7360

Equestrian Area

Within the southern area of the park is the Equestrian riding area. Trails vary in location by season, but are generally located around the agricultural fields.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (757) 294-3625
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:N/A

Canoe Areas and Rentals

Canoeing is offered in the park's waterways. There is no boat ramp, but those wishing to bring their own canoes into the park may carry them to the James River beach for easy access to the waterway. There is a small floating dock on Chippokes Creek in addition to several canoes that can be rented for some of the guided interpretive programs offered by the park. This canoe area is accessible from the Lower Chippokes Creek Trail.

• Season/Hours: Spring, Summer, Fall/Call Park (757) 294-3625
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.0350 -76° 42.4590

Picnic Area

he designated picnic area is just west of the Visitor center and is accessible from the main entrance road. It offers several picnic tables and outdoor grills, two playgrounds (one for age 2-5 the other for 5-12), water fountains and two reservable picnic shelters, the larger of which has an electrical outlet. Restrooms, payphones and vending machines are available nearby attached to the visitor center.The beach along the James offers a nice sunny place to picnic as well. The beach is most easily accessed from the college run trail or from the James river trail. There are no picnic tables on the beach and picnickers are reminded to carry out all trash.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (757) 294-3625
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 08.7710 -76° 44.3660