Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the park features rolling grasslands, quiet forests and beautiful views, as well as 3 miles of shoreline along the James River. Visitors can hike, bike, canoe, kayak, fish or tent camp on the banks of the historic river or at Branch Pond. Facilities include cabins, a visitor center, a gift shop, a camp store, a natural playground, picnic shelters, multi-use trails, boat launches, water/electric campgrounds and equestrian camping. The park also has a universally accessible fishing pier and a .25-mile-long wheelchair accessible trail around Green Hill Pond. James River State Park Outdoor Adventures, a full-service canoe livery, provides canoe, kayak and tube rentals as well as shuttle services. For more information about the livery (open seasonally), call 434-933-8682. The park is also a great place to view the annual James River Batteau Festival. A replica of one of the unusual vessels is on display at the visitor center.
Camping
Camping reservations are highly recommended - call 1-800-933-7275. The park has four campgrounds. Two of them, Branch Pond and Canoe Landing, are open year-round for primitive camping. There are primitive restrooms at those campgrounds. Drinking water is unavailable in the primitive campgrounds, but potable water is available at five of the six picnic shelters. Canoe Landing is the only campground on the river.
Red Oak Campground has 30 sites with water and electricity and a full service bathhouse with laundry facilities. The campground, about one mile from the primitive campgrounds, is open annually from the first Friday in March 1 to the first Monday in December. It is not on the river. Half of the sites are may be specifically reserved; the other half are assigned on arrival.
Campers without a reservation, i.e., walk-ins, should make sure a site is available before submitting payment at the pay station. Visit the contact station or park office to reserve additional nights to ensure availability.
Note: You must have your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter with you at check-in. If someone else is checking in for you, make sure that person has reservation information. Be prepared to show a valid ID.
Branch Pond - Seven primitive sites in wooded area about two miles from the river (BranchPondPrimTent). Tents only. Each site has a tent pad.
Canoe Landing - Thirteen primitive sites beside the river (CanoeLandingPrimTent). Tents only. It's a short walk from vehicle parking to the campsites. These sites are to the left of the canoe launch when facing the river. No tent pads.
Canoe Landing Group Campsite (one primitive site; CLGroupCampsitePrim) - There's a group site near the canoe landing. The site accommodates up to 42 people - no hookups, tents only. It's near a restroom and features a fire-ring with a flip grill, picnic tables and a pedestal grill. There's a $30 fee for canceling a group-camping reservation.
Red Oak Campground (30 sites, RedOakEW40ft)
Electric and water hookups; the sites are shaded and can accommodate various equipment (tents, pop-ups and RVs) up to 40 feet. The sites have large tent pads and wide driveways for bump-outs.
All sites have electric pedestals, which have 20, 30 and 50 AMP outlets.
Campsites have fire-ring grills, one picnic table and a lantern hanger.
Full-service bathhouse with hot showers and wash sink for dishes; the bathhouse has four unisex showers, one of which is universally accessible.
Coin laundry facility, two washers and dryers
Showers are for campers only
All equipment must be set up within site borders. Tent pads are about 15 by 24 feet.
Two vehicles are allowed per campsite. A parking fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must park in designated areas. Guests visiting campers must pay a daily parking fee, park in designated areas and leave by 10 p.m.
A dump station is free for overnight camping guests; non-overnight guests must pay a small fee to use the dump station.
A boat launch is free for overnight guests.
The canoe livery houses the park's camp store, open seasonally. Supplies and gift items are also available at the contact station and visitor center.
Firewood is available for a small fee; fire starters are available at the camp store, contact station and visitor center.
Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet when outside, and keep pets inside at night.
Horseshoe Campground (10 sites HorseshoeEW40ft)
Electric and water hookups; the sites are pull-through and allow two trailers to share a common area between them. There are 20 covered horse stalls and five tent pads.
All sites have electric pedestals, which have 20, 30 and 50-amp outlets.
Campsites have a fire-ring grill, one picnic table and a lantern hanger.
Full-service bathhouse with hot showers. The bathhouse has four unisex showers, one of which is universally accessible.
Showers are for camping guests only.
All equipment must be set up within site borders. Two vehicles are allowed per campsite. A fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must be parked in designated areas. Guests visiting campers must leave by 10 p.m.
A dump station is free for overnight camping guests; non-campers guests must pay a small fee to use it.
A boat launch is free for overnight guests.
The canoe livery houses the park's camp store, open seasonally. Supplies and gift items are also available at the contact station and visitor center.
Firewood is available for a small fee; fire starters are available at the camp store, contact station and visitor center.
Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet when outside, and keep pets inside at night.
Groups with numbers greater than that typically allowed here must apply for a special-use permit at least three weeks before their stay.
Horses must be kept in a stall.
Rakes, wheelbarrows and buckets are available.
Total sites of each type: RedOakEW40ft, 30; CanoeLandingPrimTent, 13; BranchPondPrimTent, 7; CLGroupCampsitePrim, 1; HorseshoeEW40ft, 10.
A contact station is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends after Labor Day when weather is suitable. Otherwise, pay-station parking and camping are strictly enforced.
Recreation
TRAILS
The park has 15 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and bridle use. Tye River Overlook, Green Hill Pond Trail and the fishing pier are wheelchair-accessible.
SWIMMING
There are no designated swimming areas. Holliday Lake State Park, 25 miles away, has lake swimming.
FISHING, BOATING
A canoe livery enables guests to float up to eight miles of the river. James River Outdoor Adventures rents kayaks and canoes. It also offers shuttles for those renting equipment and those bringing their own equipment The park is a hot spot for smallmouth bass fishing, and catfish, pan fish and the occasional river gar can be caught as well. The park also has three freshwater ponds for those who prefer more sedate fishing. A freshwater fishing license is required.
Boating - This park has a car-top launch in the canoe landing area and a boat launch at Dixon Landing.
HORSES
None for rent, but visitors may bring their own horses to use bridle trails.
