Top 5 Kid’s Hikes Near Richmond – Discover Nature in Central Virginia

Bryan Park – 1.3 miles – City of Richmond

Bryan Park is a beautiful urban park with a nature center, playing fields, a playground, tennis courts, and picnic shelters. It also has a pond, Frisbee golf, a tree tour, and azalea gardens. This is an easy walk near the nature center. It provides views of the pond and a nearby creek while strolling through a small forested area. You will also have the opportunity to experience the nature trail with interpretive signs and visit a pollinator garden designed to attract butterflies, bees, and other nectar-loving insects. After the hike, the kids can play on the playground near the parking lot or simply roam the open grounds.

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Three Lakes Park – 1.3 miles – Henrico County

Located in the eastern part of Henrico County, this is an easy walk on level ground. You will find your way around three lakes created in an earlier time due to sand and gravel quarrying for Interstate 95. You can shorten the hike if you like by circling only one or two of the lakes, instead of all three. Our guided hike helps the kids identify a number of trees along the way, and they will also have the chance to look and listen for a Prothonotary Warbler. Before or after the hike, you can visit the Nature Center, play on the playground, have a picnic in one of the shelters beside the lake, or go fishing.

Deep Run Park – 1.7 miles – Henrico County

Deep Run is a large park with many amenities. In addition to a collection of picnic shelters in several locations, the park has a fishing lake, soccer fields, multiple playgrounds, a recreation center, and a nature center. This is an easy hike that uses a paved path for most of its length. This hike will give you a view of most of the park amenities, while also passing through a section of woods. Children can stop off to play at one of the two playgrounds along the way, observe the ducks in the lake, and look for tree markers beside the path.

Within the same park, more adventuresome hikers can try the Outer Loop trail, which is 2.4 miles in length. This trail follows the outer perimeter of the park, using unpaved paths for the most part. Its advantage is that you will be more likely to encounter interesting birds and plants on this trail. For example, the kids might see a Red-Headed Woodpecker near the creek. Its disadvantage is that a few parts of the trail may be muddy and wet after a rain (although the kids probably won’t mind).

Robious Landing – 1.6 miles – Chesterfield County

This hike combines a pleasant stroll along the banks of the James River with a hike in deeper woods. The kids can enjoy the playground at the trailhead before or after the hike, and the nearby shelter offers a good place for lunch or a snack. While on the trail, the children can search for tree markers and listen for birds at designated areas. They can also find the bird totem pole created from a tree stump. Note that the river runs fast and deep here, so it is best to stay on the trail and out of the river.

Point Of Rocks – 1.5 miles – Chesterfield County

This hike is a bit more challenging than the other hikes, because of the slope to climb near the end of the hike – small children may need a little help. The reward for the extra effort is the chance to walk a boardwalk that meanders through a marsh along Ashton Creek, a tributary of the Appomattox River. Here and in the forest along the rest of the trail, you will encounter lots of wildlife. Near the parking lot, you will find a playground, shelters, and athletic fields.

Learn More – Visit the sites below for more ideas about hikes for children

WTVR Kids Hikes

Richmond Mom's Hiking List

Alltrails List of Short Kid-Friendly Trails (Requires Signup for User Login)