Powhatan State Park

Covering about 1,564 acres, Powhatan State Park lies in Powhatan County, about 26 miles west of Ashland.

Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, biking, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 12 miles of trails. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites, group camping, and showers. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers yurts.

Camping River Bend Campground has 29 campsites with electric (20/30/50 amp) and water hookups for various equipment – tents, popups and RVs up to 60 feet long. The campground offers no river views. Check-in is 4 p.m., and check-out is 1 p.m. Campers are welcome to arrive earlier but cannot be guaranteed a site until the official check-in time. All sites are available for site-specific reservations. The campground is open from the first Friday in March to the first Monday in December. The campground has a bathhouse with restrooms and hot showers. Sites have fire rings, picnic tables and lantern holders. Descriptions of site-specific campsites. Photos of the site-specific campsites. Campground Map • Tents must fit on the 25' by 35' tent pad. • Outlets accept 20-, 30- and 50-amp current. • All camping equipment and vehicles must fit on the campsite. Sites are limited to two camping units, only one of which may be axled. Site rental includes parking fees for no more than two vehicles. All additional vehicles must be parked in the overflow area. Customers must pay parking fees for additional vehicles. • Those visiting overnight guests must pay a daily parking fee and leave the park by 10 p.m. • Quiet time is from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. • Campsites have round grills on a concrete pad. The grill may be used to build a campfire or to cook. Campfires are allowed only in the designated area. • Site 13 is paved and closest to the bathhouse. Primitive - A canoe-in or hike-in campground accessible by the James River, with nine primitive sites (no electricity or water) and open year-round. Those sites can be reserved online or by calling 800-933-7275. Some are available only for walk-in or canoe-in; park staff cannot guarantee the availability of those sites prior to your arrival. Up to six guests and two camping units are allowed per site. Sites have one 12 x 12 pad with a picnic table and grill and one 16 X 16 pad with a lantern hanger. The campground has a composting toilet but no bathhouse. There's also a parking lot .2 miles away; campers may hike with gear to the campground. PLEASE NOTE: Starting January 2022, these sites are site-specific and the site number you choose will be assigned to you. See photos of the sites available for reservation and amenities. If you have a large group that would like to camp together, please consider the Group Campground listed below. Group Camp - The park has a four-campsite campground for tents only. It's for clubs, scout troops and large family events and accommodates up to 24 campers total. There's a restroom without running water, but there are two water spigots in the area. The River Bend Campground bathhouse is about .5 miles away.

Yurts Functionally speaking, they’re a cross between a tent and a cabin. The park has three yurts in the main campground. Each yurt has a large wooden deck with patio tables, a picnic table and a fire ring with 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 campground entrance. See images of typical yurts. Check-in is 4 p.m., and check-out 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 camping season. Here are the transfer and cancellation policies. • Maximum occupancy: four. Sleeps three. One queen-size and a twin-size trundle pull-out. Guests must bring pillows and all linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels and cloths. • No smoking, cooking or pets allowed in the yurt. • Each yurt has a water spigot but no electricity. • Dining table seats four, rocking chairs and a couch. • No heat or air-conditioning. • Guests use the campground bathhouse. • Yurt A is ADA-accessible.

The park has about 12 miles of multi-use trails through various habitats, including field edge, upland pine forest and mature hardwoods. The trails provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft at all times.

There are no designated swimming areas.

The park has about 2.5 miles of James River waterfront. The park has three canoe slide launches for river access. River access is via a steep slope. The launch consists of a series of steep steps alongside a boat slide used to lower and retrieve watercraft. There is no step-free route from the top of the bank to the launch. Boats launched from trailers are not permitted on these slides. A Department of Wildlife Resources boat launch at Maidens off Route 522, just north of the park, allows trailer access. Fishing access to the riverbank is limited because of high bluffs. Fishing licenses are required and are available from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Visitors launching a canoe or kayak from Launch A may take a 2-mile float downriver to Launch C. This stretch of water is generally flat. Check with this National Weather Service web page for current river water levels. Powhatan State Park is located between the Cartersville and Westham gauges for the James River. Visit the James River Watch website for current swimming and boating conditions here. Launch B, at the primitive campsite, is for campers only. The park does not offer any shuttle service. However, those who float to or from locations outside the park will be charged an extra $5 for their drop-off or retrieval vehicle.

The park has about 2.5 miles of James River waterfront. The park has three canoe slide launches for river access. River access is via a steep slope. The launch consists of a series of steep steps alongside a boat slide used to lower and retrieve watercraft. There is no step-free route from the top of the bank to the launch. Boats launched from trailers are not permitted on these slides. A Department of Wildlife Resources boat launch at Maidens off Route 522, just north of the park, allows trailer access. Fishing access to the riverbank is limited because of high bluffs. Fishing licenses are required and are available from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Visitors launching a canoe or kayak from Launch A may take a 2-mile float downriver to Launch C. This stretch of water is generally flat. Check with this National Weather Service web page for current river water levels. Powhatan State Park is located between the Cartersville and Westham gauges for the James River. Visit the James River Watch website for current swimming and boating conditions here. Launch B, at the primitive campsite, is for campers only. The park does not offer any shuttle service. However, those who float to or from locations outside the park will be charged an extra $5 for their drop-off or retrieval vehicle.

A state fishing license is usually required.

• Restrooms: All are accessible. • Yurt A, campsite 13 and the campground bathhouse are accessible. • Playground: The playground has an ADA-compliant swing set, transfer platform on the climbing structure and sidewalk leading to the area from a parking lot. • Shelters: Extended picnic tables, a gravel walkway leading from parking lot to shelter and a smooth concrete floor. • Parking: Designated parking areas are near the shelters, office, restrooms, contact station and trail heads. • Trails: The park has an All-Terrain Wheelchair available by reservation only. Click here for more information and to reserve.