Chippokes State Park

Chippokes State Park is a park in Surry County, about 9 miles south of Williamsburg.

The park supports horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, biking, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 12 miles of trails. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites, group camping, and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins and yurts.

Cabins Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, cabins are rented for a six-night minimum beginning on a specified start date that varies by cabin. The six-night requirement is reduced to a required four-night stay three months out and dropped to two nights in the last month before arrival. All cabin guests must have the reservation number or confirmation letter to enter their cabin. The last four digits of the reservation number and the # symbol must be entered on a keypad to unlock the cabin's door. Those arriving after the park office is closed will find check-in information at the contact station, which is at the park entrance. Visit a Flickr photoset of cabins at Chippokes. Cabins and lodges vary. Dwellings may not match what's shown in the photos. Weekly rentals during prime season begin on Saturdays. • Colonial style with heat and air conditioning. Bring food, coffee filters, coffee, salt, pepper, non-stick cooking spray, board games, cards, towels, washcloths, dish towels, etc. There's no dishwasher, phone, washer or dryer. • TV and DVD player. They are primarily for watching DVDs - air broadcast television reception here is spotty and not guaranteed. No cable or satellite service. • Kitchen has a refrigerator, stove, coffee-maker, microwave, toaster, dishwashing liquid, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, and pans. • No linens are provided. Guests must bring their own linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, bathmat, kitchen towels and cloths. • Living area has a couch and chairs. • Cabins 1, 3 and 4 have a shower. Cabin 2 has a bathtub with a shower. • Four cabins are restored tenant houses. A three-bedroom cabin, two two-bedroom cabins and a one-bedroom cabin all have heating and air conditioning. • The one-bedroom, Cabin 3, is ADA accessible. • No working fireplaces. • No smoking. • Reproduction-style furnishings. • Each cabin has an exterior picnic table and grill. • Two vehicles are allowed at cabins 1, 3 and 4. Three are allowed at cabin 2. Site Types: One-bedroom cabin (Cabin 3, Osborne House). ADA accessible. Sleeps two, allows four. Double bed and sofa bed. Universally accessible. Built around 1930 as a tenant farmer’s house, this cabin has been designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This single-story one-bedroom cabin has an access ramp and deck. Two-bedroom cabin (Cabin 1, Spratley House). Sleeps four, allows six. Double bed; single bed with a trundle. This house was built in 1947 as a reproduction colonial structure on the site of an earlier building. This two-story house has two upstairs bedrooms in what was once an open loft. The stairs to the bedrooms are steep and may be difficult for those with mobility challenges or small children. Two-bedroom cabin (Cabin 4, Price House). Sleeps five. This one-story structure was built around 1920. The master bedroom has a queen-sized bed. The second bedroom has a set of bunk beds and a single bed. There is also a carpenter’s bench. The country-style kitchen seats six. The cabin is on the perimeter of the parkland that is continually farmed and has a scenic view. Three-bedroom cabin (Cabin 2, Brown House). Sleeps eight. Double bed; two single beds; twin with a trundle; sleeper sofa. This is one of the oldest structures on the plantation and was built around 1850 as an overseer’s house. This two-story house has a master bedroom downstairs with a double bed, and two upstairs bedrooms - one with two twin beds, and one with a twin bed and a trundle. The stairs to the upper floor bedroom are steep and may be difficult for those with mobility challenges or small children. There's also a sofa bed in the living room. The bathroom has a claw-footed tub with a shower but may be harder to climb into than standard tubs. Total cabins in the park: Four Walnut Valley House Built around 1770, this house is the oldest structure at Chippokes State Park. Originally a neighboring plantation to Chippokes, Walnut Valley was founded in 1636 and produced cotton, corn, brandy, peanuts and hogs over the next 380 years. Still on the property is a dwelling that was built in 1816 to house enslaved people; it’s one of the oldest such quarters remaining in Virginia. The detached kitchen, directly behind the main house, was built at the same time. The historic plantation was deeded to the state in 2004. Nestled in a pastoral setting and framed by magnificent magnolia trees, Walnut Valley House takes you back in time. The house has four bedrooms that sleep a total of eight. The upstairs has an en-suite master bedroom with a queen bed, one bedroom with a queen-sized bed, one bedroom with a twin bed and an additional bathroom. Downstairs is ADA-accessible and has a bedroom with a full-size mattress and bathroom. The living room has a full-size sleeper sofa. Other amenities include a fully stocked kitchen and spacious dining room. A covered and screened-in side porch and quaint back porch offer splendid views. A sidewalk leads to the back of the house, and a wheelchair lift provides accessibility. • No linens are provided. Guests must bring their own linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, bathmat, kitchen towels and cloths. Yurts Functionally speaking, a yurt is a cross between a tent and a cabin. Chippokes has three yurts in the main campground. They're tucked neatly into wooded areas for privacy and extra shade. Each yurt has a large wooden deck with patio tables, a picnic table and a fire ring with a 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 camp host site or at the extra parking area. 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 the rest of the camping season. Maximum occupancy 4. Sleeps 3 - One queen-sized bed and a twin-sized trundle pull-out. Guests must bring sleeping bags or linens. No smoking, cooking or pets are allowed inside the yurt. The yurts have no electricity or water, but there's a common-use water spigot and electric pedestal for battery charging between yurts 1 and 2, and there's a pedestal near yurt 3, too. Dining table seats four. No heat or air-conditioning. Guests use campground bathhouse B about 500 feet away. Yurt 2 is ADA-accessible.

The park has 12 miles of trails. Ten miles of trails are open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Most trails are grass-covered and around farm fields, so they can be muddy during wet weather. The most popular trail is College Run Trail. It's a paved 1.2-mile trail that runs from the visitor center along the James River to the historic area. Only hikers and bike riders are allowed on this trail.

The park has no designated swimming area.

Freshwater fishing is available with a valid Virginia fishing license. Fishing is permitted from the shore of the James River and on the banks of College Run Creek. Boating: No boat rentals. No motorized boat launching at this park. Although there is no developed launch for kayaks or canoes, they can be launched along College Run Creek and the James River. Associated vehicles must be parked in designated spots at the Farm and Forestry Museum visitor center. Call the park for details.

Freshwater fishing is available with a valid Virginia fishing license. Fishing is permitted from the shore of the James River and on the banks of College Run Creek. Boating: No boat rentals. No motorized boat launching at this park. Although there is no developed launch for kayaks or canoes, they can be launched along College Run Creek and the James River. Associated vehicles must be parked in designated spots at the Farm and Forestry Museum visitor center. Call the park for details.

A state fishing license is usually required.

• Cabin 3, One-bedroom Osborne house. • Campgrounds A and B: One site in each campground is designated as accessible. Each site has a gravel drive (not level) with water and electric hookups, a level tent pad, an accessible picnic table and a lantern post. A paved walkway leads to an accessible bathhouse. • Visitor center: The center features exhibits, a refreshment area and restrooms. The park office is in the same facility. The building is at ground level and accessible via paved walkways. • Picnic area: Shelters are accessible via paved walkways from the parking lot. • Trails: College Run Trail is a paved 1.5-mile trail that connects the recreation area with the historic area, however it has steep grades descending to and ascending from College Run Creek. It is accessible from parking lots at the visitor center, River House and mansion. The James River and Lower Chippokes Creek trails are dirt farm roads that connect with College Run Trail. • Farm and Forestry Museum: All exhibit buildings are at ground level with concrete floors. Walkways to and around buildings are gravel. Parking lot is across the road from the museum. Vehicle access and parking is also provided at the sawmill exhibit. • Mansion: Not wheelchair accessible. • Formal gardens/grounds: accessible parking at the mansion parking lot. (Brick walkways are uneven). • Rental cabins: One of the park's three rental cabins (cabin 3) is accessible and contains a paved parking area, ramp, picnic table and grill. The cabin interior is accessible to persons with disabilities and contains one bedroom with a double bed, living room, kitchen and bath.