One of our favorite river spots. You can put in kayaks, paddle boards, and small manned water craft here. A few hiking trails give you easy walking on the south side of the James. This is a great place to park and walk downstream a mile and a half to the Z Dam.If you put in here, its an easy paddle, when the river is calm, across to a small sandy island thats great for hammocks, frisbee, or swimming.
Very quiet in the morning. Its a very nice place to start a walk, if you want to be away from the hustle and bustle at Pony Pasture.
I would say this was calm and relaxing, but we were at the rapids lol it was however very calm and relaxing. My children were happy and laughing. What more could you want when its hot out. The day was beautiful. Please hold on to and watch your kids.The only reason I didnt give 5 stars is bc there isnt enough parking for the amount of people who go here. There is no place to bbq, and they should clear out some of the shrubbery for more open spaces. Overall, definitely going back. Peaceful.
Went kayaking for the first time ever and had a blast. If youve never been kayaking then please give it a try and this is the place to go for your first kayak trip.plenty of open water and the views are awesome
It was great. Parking was trash. There wasnt much of an area next to the water to stand. The river is also filled with trees and rocks, not what Im used to when it comes to rivers. I guess thats why everyone floats on inner tubes.
I was unaware of these secluded trails hidden beneath the Huguenout Bridge. I parked at the furthermost trailhead and wound along the river, coming out on Riverside Rd, where I continue to follow a trail along the river to Pony Pasture Park and the trails therein. All told, 5.5 miles r/t. Very enjoyable.
Gotta say. I live close to this one and if it werent for the water I would barely call it a park. I really want something great to happen here but it would have to begin with a parking lot expansion. The areas under the bridge could be used for a volleyball court, playground, you name it. It could be amazing. Right now there is barely enough room to pass on the trail. Please add features!
Poor fishing, no bites at sll
Love this place and the best part is.. Its only a 5min drive
The place has literally no where to fish unless you own property on the river bank there signs all over that say private property all over the river bank I didnt kno you could be owner of a river theres 2 sides to the lake the perfect side they show you on the website and the ghetto hood side so many trees you cant cast slippery mud every spot is mud and small hills great if you plan to fall in the water and be stabbed by the many heroin needles probly at tha bottoms
Nice little park for a picnic. Bring your own chair!
The river itself gets it 3. Park could be so much better. Trails were impassable with vegetation. I see plans to improve water access which is cool but itd also be nice for management to think outside the box when it comes to other reasons to visit. Id like to see a sand volleyball court and playground situated under the bridge sections. Yeah yeah floodplain...where theres a will, theres a way!
CanoesLow in the late summer...sometimes.Good access to Huguenot Island beach when river is low.Rope Swing from late 90s to early 00s...GONE
Best place for water activity with family
Perfect for an afternoon float! Unlike kayaking in many parks, there is no parking fee, nor a fee per vote for putting in off the dock. There is a slide between the stairs, for heavier kayaks. Seven or eight steps take you down to the bottom level to put in. There are no rentals, so you need to come with your own boat already. There are some sand bars, so watch where youre going. we were there when the level was just over 5 feet. Wildlife mostly included Canadian geese.
Sweet tubing. Good times.
They werent kidding about the parking... beautiful but I think everyone in Richmond came out today... to place to park.
Go for a paddle, a hike, a ride, or just sit and watch the birds. Enjoy and clean up after yourself.
Pretty easy to find but not enough parking spaces. Had a ton of fun with water sports. Pretty clean and has porta potty there accessible.
Lovely walking paths along the James River
New favorite place to put out our kayaks. River gods have granted me good parking even on busy days. The ramp to the river is a great feature. Gotta love RVA and its accommodations for outdoor recreation.
A great spot to experience a calmer-water portion of the James River. A good spot to float in a raft, stand-up paddle board, get comfortable in a kayak or canoe, or just take a good stroll along the river.
Good place to walk.
Low area not much parking but fun
Great place for kayaking.
Nice little park with trails in the woods. Has a boat launch ifnyou want to take your kayak down through pony pasture. Fishing from the bank has been decent
Such a great section of the wonderful James River Park system! I would donate more if there were boxes.
A Beautiful view
Its my peaceful spot.
Best place in the area to put in kayaks, canoes, and river tubes. What to know:•Parking is limited, on Saturdays during the summer expect the lot to be filled by 11am. On holiday weekends, expect even earlier. There is limited parking on the road entering this area, but DO NOT park where there are no parking signs or YOU WILL BE TOWED (have seen multiple times). The police patrol this area and will ticket and tow a whole line of cars•If you start a tubing trip from here (what we do), leave one car at this location and one car at the pony pasture parking area downstream where you can get off the river. About a 2-3.5 hour tube based on river speed (faster when water is higher approaching 5 feet). You are not allowed to tube when the river is above 5 feet, so search on google James river water height richmond in order to check the current metered water high level•Nice entry ramp that goes down from the river to the parking lot•There is sometimes a porta-potty at this location, but you can not rely on it. Sometimes there are trash cans.
Awesome place to relax
Good place for picnic s or to get away from the coty for a while.
Great spot! If I had more weekends I would be right here.
Wonderful place to take some youngins or newbies! Took our double out with some friends that have never been kayaking. They loved it! The current was pretty strong around the bridge but even my 8 year old was able to manage. We had a great time and will definitely be back.
Great place for a swim when there are good river conditions. Getting in youll have to walk through some mucky water to get to deep enough water to swim. You can swim to rocks and the other side of the river if you are a strong enough swimmer. Sandy on the other side. Also a place to launch a boat and some trails along side the river.
Poorly maintained.
Ok, were from Florida so, this isnt normal for us. There arent many walking paths like these there. This was so much fun. It was cold, and the smells were amazing. The pines the trees, the water. I loved walking in this trail. But, we couldnt go all the way because it was flooded. But, we made it pretty far. My boys, 4 and 5, had such a blast too. We got mud on out shoes and explore the trees and the leaves and pine cones too. I would LOVE to go back again when the tide is low. I remember a full moon wad out that night so maybe thats why the water was sooooo high. I do not recommend anyone to wear their nice boots, going out boots, heels, or scandals.... wear work boots or sneakers. Anything you dont mind getting wet and muddy. My man tried yo find a way through the water first and his foot sunk into the mud and the tip got wet. So, wear the tight shoes guys. I would definitely recommend this trail to families, friends and even couples. Its a nice change of pace. To just walk and talk and be one with nature.
Great place for a sunset kayak paddle. Just be sure keep your valuables at home, petty theft is popular with the kids, even though the Richmond Police patrol the area frequently.
Such a fun place for watersports, with lots of fun people
Natural scenic place to go. Can do activities like fishing and canoeing. Calm and beautiful
Not for the inexperienced.
What a great place to spend an afternoon. Paddled and splashed and even spent some time in a hammock. Bring what you need but leave no trace. Enjoy the James.
Nice drive, nice walk, recommended.
Great park, awesome spot to go tubing or kayaking down the James River.
Beautiful Spot!
Way too crowded, way too sketch
Beautiful place to run or do river activities.
Great place, only down side is parking.
Beautiful
Its good for boats riders.
Nice trails along the river. Parts are narrow, but excellent for mountain biking or dog walking. There are many quiet areas to relax at the waters edge. Closes at dusk.
BEWARE////. my daughter had her drivers door window smashed, her hidden pocketbook was stolen
Really cool place to kayak or canoe..Nice Islands to explore right there close lot of really big rocks and just a really pretty place to be in the city
Lots of potholes, and mosquitoes. Boat launch is easily accessible. The James River is pretty gross and smelly here. The people are typical Richmonders: snobby and rude. But once you get down river and use portage to get to the water rocks... its a blast.
Great place to just have some peace of mind and clear my thoughts....
Cute little trails.. great place to get away from the city... Very beautiful. Can get a bit muddy on the trails. Wont take you very long to see everything.
Great place to hangout I used to go here for the summers almost everyday before I moved.
Easy access to the slow moving water between Bosher and Williams dams.
Convenient access to paddle the James River, nice waking trails
Awesome place to relax after work.
Sweet & calm watching the water slowly move down the smooth surface of the James looks so calming and not flowing down but leaves show us the James never stops its journey all way down to the ocean miles away~ Great Spot put in rafts & small boats... there is No Boat ramp in this area.
A wonderful place to take the pups for aquatic activities, also if youre keen on fishing, or looking for a relaxing place to take a breath of air in the woods by the river
Great place for a relaxing float!
My favorite place to kayak and relax with friends!
My favorite spot to put in for a day of kayaking the James. Usually get out at Reedy Creek landing. Takes about 3 hours. Some class 1 and 2 if the river is at around 5.
Feels like this park goes unnoticed compared to pony pasture. I love the walk, its not too long and I can always find a spot to fish.
Canoe launch ramp. Pony Pasture has better walking / picnicking on James banks . Go East 1&half mile on Riverside Dr.
Been putting the Old Towne in here & paddling to Huguenot Spit or Westham Island since 90...The J.R.P.S. sign on The history of the Old Westham Station bridge & rail-line to Bon Air is pretty sweet....
It was at...and the fish werent biting!
Easy launch, plentiful parking with a drop some, and great water for leisurely kayaking
Fun spot to tube down the James River.
I accidentally left my fishin rod there overnight while i was loading out my canoe. Someone had reeled in my line, and stashed it right next to where it was. Everyone that goes here is super nice and friendly. And a big thank you to the person who didnt steal my fishin rod!
Very nice are to go kayaking, fishing, swim, or just walk around the trails.
This is Richmond. Easy parking, nice trails, easy access to the James River.
3 miles round-trip. Good escape from it all.
Nice and peaceful. Fishing looks good.
Seemingly quiet place to launch a canoe, nice piece of water to enjoy, facilities are a bit rudimentary,...
Great kayak put in. Well maintained by the local support groups.
Beautiful. Only issue was the portapotty was closed
Great spot to launch a SUP or kayak. Quite a bit of parking space.
Basically this is just a spot to launch off your kayak, canoe, etc... If thats what you need, then this is the spot to come!
Peaceful. Great view