Rivah Parks & Recreation
All area codes are 804 unless otherwise listed.
- Essex County Parks and Recreation Department sports activities for youth and adults. Ball fields at Essex High School. 443-2470
- Marsh Street Park Marsh St. in Tappahannock, run by Essex County Parks and Recreation Department, pool open starting June 11, Tues.–Sat.11 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sun. 1–6 p.m. 443-2470
- Tennis Courts at Essex High School on Airport Rd. are open to the public from 5 p.m. until dark when school is not in session. 443-2470
- Beaverdam Park at the end of Rt. 616, Roaring Springs Rd., contains a 635-acre freshwater lake. Eleven fish attractors and several species of fish are found there. Canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and Jon boats with or without electric motors are for rent, or you may launch your own for a fee. Motors powered by fuels are not permitted. The park has a playground, picnic shelter and an extensive hiking trail system including an interpretive trail, and multi use trail for horseback riding or biking. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Fishing and hunting licenses, bait and snacks are available. 693-2107
- Gloucester Point Beach Park offers fishing with no license required, public beach, playground, restrooms, snack bar, an observation deck with high powered binoculars to view birds and wildlife.
- The Gloucester Department of Parks and Recreation has 25 public parks or water access areas. A brochure is available by calling 693-2355.
- Public Beach Gloucester Point Beach on Rt. 1208 at the York River. Fishing and restrooms.
- Tyndall Point Park contains remnants of Confederate and Union fortifications. It is the site of colonial Gloucester Towne, the first building of which was a tobacco warehouse built in 1632. The park is off of Rt. 17 at Gloucester Point and has open play areas.
- Belle Isle State Park Rt. 683. A 700-acre park on the Rappahannock River, Mulberry and Deep Creeks. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Picnic areas, handicap accessible boardwalk and fishing pier, hiking/biking trails, bridle paths, motorboat ramp ($3 fee). Canoe and kayak rentals, bicycle and motorboat rentals. The park also offers sunset and moonlight canoe trips, nature programs and overnight camping and accommodations. Parking fee $3 weekends/holidays, $2 weekdays. 462-5030
- Hiking Trails Hickory Hollow Trail, 2 miles of marked trail, Regina Rd. (Rt. 604) in Lancaster Courthouse. Open dawn to dusk.
- Chesapeake Trail, 1.5 mi. hiking trail geared to kids, Mary Ball Rd. (Rt.3) 1/4 mi. east of Lancaster Courthouse. Open dawn to dusk.
- Baylor Nature Trail on Norris Pond in Kilmarnock opens June 1 on a former logging road. On Mary Ball Rd. (Rt. 3) east of downtown Kilmarnock. Open dawn to dusk.
- Public Beach Westland Beach at the terminus of Windmill Point Rd. (Rt. 695) provides access to the Chesapeake Bay. Open dawn to dusk.
- Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve Turn left on Rt. 611 just south of the town of Mathews. Turn right on Rt. 643, then left on Rt. 609. This 50-acre parcel contains a sandy beach, low dunes and salt marsh habitat bordering the Chesapeake Bay. Over 90 bird species have been reported on the preserve, which also protects the globally rare Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle.
- Mathews Recreation Park is next to Mathews High School. It has a softball field, basketball court, playground and two lighted tennis courts. Rt. 14 about a mile north of Mathews Courthouse.
- Public Beaches New Point Comfort Island at the Bay is accessible only by boat at high tide.
- Haven Beach, Diggs on Rt. 643 at the Bay.
- Holly Point Nature Park in Deltaville offers a retreat on the banks of Mill Creek. Activities available are picnicking, bird watching or walking the nature trail. Visitors can explore the fish-shaped wildflower meadow and view the boats exhibited by the Deltaville Maritime Museum. There is also a children’s garden and kayak landing. Open daily from dawn to dusk.
- Middlesex County Sports Complex Walking track, volleyball and basketball courts, soccer/football field (open dawn to dusk), softball/baseball fields (must be scheduled through Sports Complex Committee.)
- Public Beach Wake Beach at the end of Rt. 627.
- Swimming Pools Town of Urbanna (for residents and guests of residents).
- Taber Park Rappahannock Ave. in Urbanna (for residents and guests of residents): playground, and swimming.
- Caledon Natural Area Rt. 218. A National Natural Landmark, Caledon was the early colonial seat of the Alexander family. John and Philip Alexander founded the city of Alexandria and established Caledon Plantation in 1659. Preservation of the bald eagle habitat is the primary focus of the natural area. Five hiking trails, limited tours of the eagle area are offered mid-June through Aug. by reservation only. Guests can learn more about Caledon by touring the visitor center. (800) 933-PARK
- Barnesfield Park Hwy. 301 at the Potomac Gateway Welcome Center, King George. 175-acre county park on the Potomac River with nature trails, picnic areas, playground, and beach fishing. (540) 663-3205
- Bush Mill Stream Natural Area Preserve At the mouth of Bush Mill Stream freshwater meets the saltwater of the Great Wicomico River. Tidal marshes and mud flats between steep-sided forested shores. Access by foot or canoe. Open daylight hours. Trails, boardwalk, viewing platform and interpretive signs for an abundance of wildlife. Four miles from Heathsville on Courthouse Rd. (Rt. 201), continue straight on Knights Lodge Dr. (Rt. 642) for half a mile, and turn left at the sign.
- Dameron Marsh Natural Area Preserve This 316-acre preserve contains one of the most significant wetlands on the Chesapeake Bay for marsh-bird communities. Sand beach habitat is important for the threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle. Facilities include a trail and boardwalk, a wildlife viewing platform, and parking area. Jessie duPont Memorial Hwy (Rt. 200) to Shiloh School Rd. (Rt. 606) turn left on Balls Neck Rd. (Rt. 605) 225-2303
- Fishing Piers The Great Wicomico Public Fishing Pier is on the southern shore of the Great Wicomico River just off Jessie Ball duPont Memorial Hwy. (Rt. 200) near the bridge at Glebe Point. Open from sunrise to sunset.
- Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve This 205-acre preserve has sand beaches on the Chesapeake Bay and the mouth of Dividing Creek, hiking trails and observation decks to view shorebirds, deer, turkey and migratory waterfowl. The beaches are home to the threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle. Take Jessie Ball duPont Memorial Hwy. (Rt. 200) turn on Shiloh School Rd. (Rt. 606) to the end. Turn right on Balls Neck Rd. (Rt. 605). 225-2303
- Public Beach Vir-Mar Beach at the end of Vir-Mar Beach Rd. (Rt. 643 ) in Hack’s Neck.
- Heritage Park Resort 2570 Newland Rd., Warsaw. $3 admission fee, winery, boat ramp, picnic area, hiking and nature trails; 333-4038
- Fishing Pier, Rt. 624 to Rt. 638
- Public Beach 4011 Naylors Beach near Warsaw. Take Rt. 360 to Rt. 624 to Rt. 634.
- Public Hiking Trails Richmond County trail behind Rappahannock Community College, Rt. 360, Warsaw.
- Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 336 Wilna Rd., Warsaw. One of four refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It protects 20,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands along the river and its major tributaries. Archeological and historic sites are abundant. At least four federally-listed threatened or endangered species may be found, including the American bald eagle, peregrine falcon, shortnose sturgeon, and sensitive joint vetch. The state’s largest wintering roost for bald eagles is located within the refuge. Shorebirds, neotropical migrant songbirds, raptors, and marsh birds rely on the Rappahannock River’s corridors during the spring and fall migration periods. The Refuge hosts three sites on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail.
- Totuskey Tricentennial Park with boat landing, Rt. 3 at Totuskey Creek Bridge.
- Wilna Pond, a 35-acre site, is open to public fishing. The pond is home to large mouth bass, bluegill sunfish, fliers, yellow bullhead catfish and American eel. The Wilna Unit is open for observation and photography daily, sunrise to sunset. Access for canoes and kayaks is available. All other refuge units are open by advanced reservation only. Headquarters are open Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except federal holidays. From Tappahannock, take US-360 E. toward Warsaw. Follow US-360 E. for 4.1 miles, then turn left onto Rt. 624/Newland Rd. Follow Newland Rd. for 4.2 miles, then turn left onto Strangeway/Rt 636. Follow Strangeway for ¼ mile, then turn right onto Sandy Ln./Rt 640. Follow Sandy Ln. for 1.1 miles, then turn left into Rappahannock River Valley NWR. 333-1470
- A.T. Johnson Recreation Center 18849 Kings Hwy., Montross. Aerobics, dance classes, cooking programs, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, enclosed batting cage, soccer and baseball fields and small auditorium. Meeting room and patio available for rental.
- Castlewood Park on Castlewood Dr. Permit required for parties over 20 people.
- Hurt Field at Legion Park Rt. 3 west of Montross. Four-acre public park adjacent to Chandlers Mill Pond offering recreational opportunities for county residents.
- Oak Grove Park Rt. 205 between Oak Grove and Colonial Beach. Eight-acre public park featuring a sports field, playground and picnic area.
- Robin Grove Park on Robin Grove, off Monroe Bay Ave., Colonial Beach.
- Public Beach Colonial Beach, sunrise to sunset.
- Voorhees Nature Preserve A 729-acre preserve on the northeast bank of Rappahannock River, next to Westmoreland Berry Farm. It is home to the bald eagle and many other birds. Four miles of wooded trails for self-guided walks. The difficulty level is moderate. Trail map available at the Westmoreland Berry Farm store. Picnic sites, restrooms and pick-your-own fruits and vegetables at the farm. Open weekends, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Apr. 22–Dec. 17. (434) 295-6106
- Westmoreland Parks and Recreation Department provides recreation services to all county citizens and visitors. 493-8163
- Westmoreland State Park Six miles northwest of Montross off Rt. 3. The park extends about one and a half miles along the Potomac River, and its 1,299 acres neighbor the former homes of both George Washington and Robert E. Lee. The Horsehead Cliffs provide visitors with a spectacular view of the Potomac River. The park offers hiking, camping, cabins, fishing, boating and swimming. The visitor center gives an historical and ecological perspective to an important natural area on the coastal plain.
