Richmond: Beaver Lake Trail
Flee summer's heat spells on this relaxing 2-mile loop around a breezy lake in Pocahontas State Park, which is just a few minutes by car from downtown.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 3.1
Waypoints
BLT001
Location: 37.3862609863281, -77.5826263427734
Trailhead is located at rear of Civilian Conservation
Corps Museum; head SW to lake
BLT003
Location: 37.3868103027344, -77.5862884521484
Small wooden bridge over dry creekbed
BLT002
Location: 37.3859710693359, -77.5843276977539
Fishing pier on Beaver Lake; watch for waterfowl
scavenging for food Note: Beaver Lake is also named Third Branch Lake on USGS topo maps
BLT004
Location: 37.3847465515137, -77.5901031494141
Small pier sits on the L; trail moves away from the lake, heading uphill
BLT005
Location: 37.3828735351562, -77.5924530029297
Follow the boardwalk over a freshwater marsh pocked with clusters of sycamore trees; a wildflower haven sits ahead, featuring lots of jack-in-the-pulpits in the spring
BLT006
Location: 37.3803596496582, -77.5907974243164
Reach the old mill site; turn L across the creek
BLT008
Location: 37.3843650817871, -77.5823516845703
Overlook @ dam between Beaver Lake and Swift Creek; keep on main hiking trail
BLT007
Location: 37.384090423584, -77.5858840942383
Head downhill; trail joins lake edge again
BLT009
Location: 37.3861122131348, -77.5823440551758
Wrap around CCC Museum and return to trailhead