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    Byrd Park

    4.3 (38 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    Maria T.

    Fond memories flood my mind whenever I come to Byrd Park! Being a longtime Richmonder, this park at the end of the Boulevard, brings back reflections of the big, gorgeous lake and times when my dad would take our family to ride the pedal boats! There were 9 kids so we made quite a splash! The fountain in the middle of the lake is a lovely feature of the property, surrounded by lush trees, bushes, flowers and other foliage. Here you will find winding paths, exercise equipment, benches, gazebos, tables, and other convenient amenities. No wonder this park is a magnet for runners, picnickers and nature lovers alike. There are a couple other smaller lakes in the park. Events of all kinds are held in the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater which has drawn audiences since the '50's! I've seen everything from Shakespeare to Blue Grass to musicals to movies to dance performances to farmer's markets to art shows here at this iconic landmark. You can't miss the majestic Carillon Tower, a historic building dedicated to the memory of World War I and those Virginians who served our country. Several festivals and ceremonies are held there throughout the year. If you've never heard the bells of the Carillon, you have missed quite a spectacular, beautiful experience! The Byrd Pump House is a cool, Gothic styled building that's once housed the waterworks for the area. Recently, the Parks & Rec Department have offered tours of this granite building and it's definitely worth seeing. Byrd Park is dog-friendly with it's pup-ular Barker field! It also offers baseball fields and playgrounds for children! Several monuments have been erected in the park, and are placed in prominent places as you drive or stroll through this well-maintained sprawling park. There are several entrances and plenty of parking making this spot an attractive place to visit. Byrd Park is surrounded by several RVA neighborhoods and is a favorite destination for families! Incidentally, Byrd Park was named for William Byrd II, a prominent colonists, Statesman, plantation owner and considered to be the founder of Richmond.

    Alexander C.

    I came here during my nine mile hike in Richmond yesterday. I was recommended to visit Byrd Park by local RVA experts. There is a lot of grassy space here for kids to play and do outdoor activities. The ponds didn't have much action, the smaller one seems to be overrun with frogs and turtles. The larger "Swan Lake" had some ducks and geese. The namesake swans had to be removed due to their violent tendencies. If you're interested in birding, there are a lot of taller, older trees in Byrd Park full of our feathered friends. Surprisingly there were a great deal of birds around a maintenance building near the lakes. I think the lakes are stocked with fish by the state. There were dads and sons fishing along the lakes and they looked to be having great success at reeling in some fish. The park was decently clean. Of course there was some bird poop around the Swan Lake, but it would be impossible to expect no poop. I wish I could have spent more time in this great park. If I lived in Richmond I would probably spend a lot of time here to relax.

    Stephanie J.

    I did not realize that Byrd Park was as large as it is (a 287-acre park). We were looking for a park to pass a little bit of time by and to take a walk. We walked around Swan Lake and Shields Lake. These are 2 of the 3 lakes in the park, we missed out on Fountain Lake. Swan Lake was fun because you can see a lot of waterfowl. This park seems to be popular so carve some time out so you can see it all.

    Jahnay M.

    Spring looks a little bit different in this current season of life but nonetheless still enjoyable. My mom and I wanted to switch up where we took our dog for a walk so we decided to venture to Byrd Park! Our little furry friend loved exploring and watching the geese. I'd say it's pretty pet friendly. Dogs cannot be off the leash but there are plenty of walking trails and grass to enjoy. The parking was easy and it wasn't crowded perfect place to bring the family and practice social distancing. I'm glad that we always carry potty bags for our dog because there are no potty stations just trash cans here and there. You'll see joggers, bikes, dogs, etc. There was some construction going on around the neighboring streets of the park so you may be subjected to following a detour to get there. The park was peaceful and looking at the water on a crisp sunny day brought a new sense of peace. Perfect place for a walk, run, or picnic. Downsides: some trash cans were full and a lot geese poop around the lake sidewalks.

    Joe B.

    Really nice open and public park for families, kids, or even a picnic with some friends. There was some construction here which I'm sure is temporary but took away just a little from the overall views. Perfect to spend a day here.

    Carissa K.

    Richmond, VA--Road Trip #2 After visiting Sub Rosa Bakery, my next stop was Byrd Park (BP). BP is named after William Byrd II, who was a prominent family during the founding of Richmond in 1737. BP has 287-acres to enjoy, and I had intended to look around more than I did, but Maymont was calling me. I did drive around and parked near Swan Lake. BP has three lakes: Swan, Shield, and Fountain, and as the majority of lakes in Virginia, they are man-made. Swan and Shield Lakes are right next to each other; Fountain Lake has a fountain in the middle, with paddle-boats that are available to rent in season. Look at all the wonderful amenities BP as to offer: * 1.3-mile vita exercise course loop through the park and popular for walkers, runners, and bikers (kind of small for such a large park) * Self-lighted tennis courts * Two softball fields * Playground * Historical monuments * Amphitheater for summer concerts, theater, and other events * A full concession at Fountain Lake during the summer and free Wi-Fi * Fishing at all three lakes (state fishing license required) * Picnic shelters with grills * Barker Field Dog Park * Restrooms at Fountain Lake and port-a-potties throughout Reminder: there are lots of geese in the park and they cross the road often; do not feed the geese or ducks. I wish I had more time to visit BP, but I will definitely come back. When you are done, take a short walk (or drive) to Maymont. Both are great ways to spend the day outside.

    Alison M.

    I was told by a bunch of people to visit Byrd park while I was here for a girl's weekend last month. Maybe it was just the day or the weather or something but I wasn't all that impressed... lots of birds, lots of poop to walk through/around/avoid on the sidewalks, not a lot going on. There is a pretty bridge you walk over and can walk around the water for a while but there really just isn't much here... I don't know - I guess I was expecting more?

    Jamie D.

    I love Byrd Park for its beauty, its peacefulness, and the fact that it provides a wonderful oasis amid the hustle and bustle of the city. I've eaten picnics on lawn chairs by the lakes, taken leisurely walks along the paths, watched a fashion show at the Carillon, and spent countless care-free hours just enjoying being in the park. Oh yea, and it also provides the perfect biking destination when the bf and I want to take our bicycles out for a spin. This past Sunday, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and cycle around the neighborhood a bit. I love to look at houses (and fantasize about owning one) so after riding around the Museum District and Fan for a little, we ventured to Byrd Park and soaked up its natural beauty. As other reviewers have mentioned, Byrd Park is not your tiny little city park. It's expansive and offers its visitors plenty of space to relax on a blanket or toss around a frisbee. It's a great place to take out-of-town guests (if only to prove to them that we do in fact have beautiful green spaces in the city), and the fact that it's right next to Maymont doesn't hurt, either. I've often scooped up a sandwich in Carytown, enjoyed eating it at Byrd, and then moseyed over to check out the animals at Maymont. In fact, I think I might just do that on my next free sunny day!

    Shield's Lake
    Sean C.

    I remember going to Byrd Park in college and lying out in the sun on the grass near Boat Lake (also called Fountain Lake) and watching the pedal boats go by. Not much has changed here but it is the same great 200 hundred acre urban park that acts as the backyard to a great city. Comprise of three "lakes" and gently curving pathways and surface streets, this park makes a great place to play Frisbee, grab some rays, paddle boat, or grab some food from the concession stand. The big news this year is that Sally Bell's Kitchen will be catering at the snack bar which is big news for those who are fans (see my review of Sally Bells on Yelp*) Back in the day the two cement lined ponds (Shields and Swan Lakes) served as swimming holes for the city. Desegregation unfortunately bought that to an end . People still fish here and it is a great place to see swans, ducks and geese. Beautiful mansions line the West Side of the park and there is a wonderful 1 mile "Vita Course" that is heavily utilized for walking and running under the shaded canopy. Many do not realize that Byrd Park also encompasses free, lighted, public tennis courts, little league fields, Dogwood Dell amphitheater, and the Carillon. Dogwood Dell is the sight of a fantastic Richmond tradition which is the 4th of July classical concert and fireworks display. Byrd Park is also famous for hosting "Arts in the Park" every May which is well attended. There are also summer concert series and plays for adults and children. The Carillon is a monument to those who gave their lives in the First World War and was completed in 1926 and contains 56 bells.

    Chan'tel M.

    Loved this park! So peaceful and relaxing. Lots of space. Would be perfect meditation, a romantic chat/walk/picnic or to watch fireworks around the 4th of July. Not a fan of the brave geese, but hey...it's nature I guess. Grateful to have experienced this place. Very family friendly. I love the outdoors!

    Nice trail
    Jeff P.

    Went walking on the trail at Byrd Park. The trail is just about 1 mile around, so that takes out a lot of the guess work if u don't have a watch or tracker for ur distance. Work out stations for different exercises along the complete trail. This trail is good for a nice brisk or power walk, or if u decide on a slight jog. The trail doesn't allow bikes or dogs. Great way to start ur morning.

    Ryan P.

    Plenty to do here: tennis courts, small lake, a track to walk/run on, and various obstacle courses. The negatives are few but huge deals... The benches are huge safety risks, the boards are very close to just snapping. Many obstacles but they are extremely old and outdated. Literally each time I come the grass is not cut. I would have given it 3 stars, it got an extra star only because it has a lot trees .

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    Great park in the city...a must visit when local events are held there...there is parking close to the amphitheater...

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    Ask the Community - Byrd Park

    Review Highlights - Byrd Park

    . If you've never heard the bells of the Carillon, you have missed quite a spectacular, beautiful experience

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    Forest Hill Park - Flower

    Forest Hill Park

    4.6(32 reviews)
    1.9 miForest Hill Park

    This park has amazing trails, gardens, and an amazing playground for kids. It is ADA accessible…read more just know that the playground is next to the Pickleball court.

    Beautiful park with a variety of trail offerings. I was here for almost 2 hours and still don't…read morethink I saw everything. There is so much to explore here and offers something for every level of stepper. Whether you're looking for an intense hike or just a leisurely stroll, this is a great spot to be. The park has multiple entrances and different access points which would make multiple visits here still feel fresh. The park is very hilly and has a lot of inclines so keep that in mind. Once you get down to the park you'll be greeted by the lake trail where you can walk in a loop around the stunning lake. You can also do catch and release fishing here which I saw multiple people doing. While the lake trail is paved, this park also has a variety of cobblestone and natural trails as well. The walks are pretty shaded and all have stunning views of either greenery or some water component. This is a great walking spot if you're wanting to really dive into nature and experience some stunning views. This is definitely a more mild intensity walk mainly because of the inclines, they also have stair entrances to get on the trail as well. There were quite a few people on the trail, consisting of families, groups and even solo walkers. Despite its almost secluded nature this park felt relatively safe with the amount of people present. You may want a trail buddy if veering into the natural trails but the paved lake loop was pretty open making it feel safe for solo walkers. Overall, with its variety of entrances, views, and the moderate challenge, this park is a great choice for regular walkers and nature lovers!

    Photos
    Forest Hill Park - Covered area by the lake

    Covered area by the lake

    Forest Hill Park - Paths galore

    Paths galore

    Forest Hill Park - Checking things out.

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    Checking things out.

    Three Lakes Park and Nature Center - Turtles basking in the sun along the shore.

    Three Lakes Park and Nature Center

    4.5(23 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    I had an incredible time at this charming park. As it is getting warmer, I am looking for new to me…read morespots to go on walks after work. Three Lakes Park was the perfect evening refresh. We arrived around 5:30pm and spent until about 7pm exploring all the walking paths. There is something here for everyone. There is a huge playground for little ones, there are paths for walkers/runners/dog walkers, and there were even a bunch of people fishing in the lakes. I love how child-friendly this park is. It felt like most of the bridges, benches, and other fun structures were made by girl or boy scouts. There is a huge parking lot so it's easy to drive to this spot. They also have very clean restrooms. We didn't go in to the nature center, but that was pretty too. I liked that this park had a lot to explore. The water was low enough at one section for us to go to a little island in the middle of one lake. While not all the trees have their leaves yet, I image this is even prettier when everything is in bloom. It was a very serene and lovely place to explore.

    Three Lakes is a gem of a park not far from Richmond proper. I love walking here when I happen to…read morebe visiting a business or estate sale nearby and it has always been exceedingly pleasant. This place has plenty of parking, lots of playground equipment, and (as the name suggests) three small lakes to walk around. It's worth noting that the main lake (closes to the park entrance) is where fishing is permitted and has the newest/nicest path as well. The middle lake is enjoyable though is a bit rougher. The far lake was damaged in storms in the past so some of it is pretty rough but still enjoyable to explore. I make sure to hit all three lakes every visit, though if you want a nice clean experience, stick to the main lake. The nature center is nice but fair warning: it's pretty small and won't take more than 10-15 minutes to enjoy in its entirety. Still, the staff member there tends to be nice and there are a few small animals in the little displays there. If you want a fun place to walk (especially if you have kids who like playground equipment), this is a great spot to do it. Overall: 5.0 stars ---- Pros: - Beautiful walking spot. - Pleasant staff. - Lots of free parking. - Fun (if small) nature center. - Plenty of playground equipment for kids. Cons: - It would be great if they fully re-built the third lake, though I suppose the rugged nature of it is part of the charm.

    Photos
    Three Lakes Park and Nature Center - Turtle

    Turtle

    Three Lakes Park and Nature Center
    Three Lakes Park and Nature Center - A majestic blue heron stands tall in the water.

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    A majestic blue heron stands tall in the water.

    Joseph Bryan Park - Wild flower garden

    Joseph Bryan Park

    4.0(32 reviews)
    3.5 miBryan Park

    This park is HUGE! Do you like picnics, disc golf, farmer's markets, soccer practice, hikes, nature…read moreor the outdoors? This is the place for you! This 262-acre park is in Richmond's Northside. Most locals come here for the Saturday RVA Big Market. I highly recommend checking the market out and making a day out of it. You can hike a trail while you're there too. There are a lot of picnic benches in the area and grills you can use for cookouts. My friend once rented one of their picnic shelters for her birthday and it was loads of fun. You can rent those spaces online. Although I don't play disc golf, they have disc golf baskets all through the park. Everytime I see them I always consider trying a new hobby. There are parking lots scattered around the park. On weekends it can be a little hard to find parking, but you'll find a spot. You can get a map of the park online. This park is well known and liked by most locals. It's a 5 star spot for me.

    It's still an amazing space for walking and just getting outside. The Farmer's Market is a great…read moreattraction there. Unfortunately I remember the azaleas very differently as a child as many others do as well. If memory serves correctly, there was a much more manicured azalea garden with a beautiful white azalea cross configuration in the middle of an ocean of bright pink azaleas. Unfortunately, I don't know of too many azaleas that last 50 years!

    Photos
    Joseph Bryan Park - Nature trail this way

    Nature trail this way

    Joseph Bryan Park - Fall Biking

    Fall Biking

    Joseph Bryan Park - Henry the Heron by the lake

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    Henry the Heron by the lake

    Pocahontas State Park - Water spigot

    Pocahontas State Park

    4.5(99 reviews)
    12.5 mi

    With spring around the corner, I am enjoying finding nature spots to explore with these bursts of…read morewarm weather. My best friend and I went to Pocahontas State Park a few weekends ago to do the Beaver Lake trail. This park is pretty big and they offer a variety of trails to explore. I love that you are able to walk, fish, bike, and even camp here. I just learned that if you are an REI member, you can take your receipt and use it as a payment to enter this park! It's usually $7 to enter with a car, but it was nice to be able to enter with a REI receipt. I've come twice this year and while the trees are not green yet, it's still a lovely park to explore. It's very family-friendly. There is a playground in the space. They also seem to have pools here. You can use All Trails to find a trail you want or ask the park ranger for recs on the map. They also have an information center and museum. If you live in the RVA area, I recommend checking out this park at least once.

    Pocahontas State Park offers over 90 miles of trails, a large lake system, and a well-maintained…read morecampground. Time your hike for lunch at Swift Creek Reservoir. You might spot hawks, eagles, or herons. In spring, the path leaving the reservoir is often covered in tiny frogs. They have no self-preservation so watch your step. The park hosts concerts at its amphitheater, including touring acts like Dark Star Orchestra. Snakes are common, especially near water. They're native, and you're trespassing so leave them be. Or text a picture to the VA Snake Hotline (804) 617-7086 to confirm that you don't need to freak out. As for the paw prints in the mud: I've seen them. They look like mountain lion tracks. Officially extinct in Virginia, but the prints say otherwise. Leave no trash. Pack out everything. This place is awesome/wonderful/beautiful!!! Don't mess it up.

    Photos
    Pocahontas State Park - Merch in gift store

    Merch in gift store

    Pocahontas State Park - I asked this lady if I could take a picture of her car! So funny!!!!

    I asked this lady if I could take a picture of her car! So funny!!!!

    Pocahontas State Park

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    Byrd Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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