Walk around Beaver Lake, Pocahontas SP

The trail passes by an old furnace and then descends until you reach the lake. At the lake there is a nice pier to view the water and do some bird watching. Continue on the trail around the lake. If you head clockwise, the lake will be in view during most of the beginning of the trail.

As you make your way to the bridge, the dam is to your right. Once crossing the bridge, you get a pretty good view of the dam and it is a great spot to take pictures. From the bridge you have the option to make a left to which will connect to the Forest Exploration Trail (2.26m) or go to the right to continue along Beaver Trail.

Beaver Trail is very well maintained and has a slight incline. When I went in December, there were some ducks in the lake and little squirrels hopping from tree to tree. For the most part it is a very quiet hike. Once you have reached the halfway mark, there is a point where the trail turns into a boardwalk. In the spring and summer, the marsh fills up and should be a very pretty walk. As you make your way back the hike is very peaceful and there are many spots along the way to sit at a bench and take a moment to enjoy the surroundings.

Getting there: From Route 10/Iron Bridge Road in Chester, VA turn on to Beach Road/State Route 655 (near shopping center). Continue on this road following the signs for Pocahontas State Park. Enter the main entrance on State Park Road. Pay the parking fee ($4 week days and $5 on weekends) and park at the nature center. You should be able to start seeing signs from the parking lot to the Beaver Lake Trail.