I like to call it "Panda Paws Pond" because I'm dumb sometimes, and also, doesn't it look like it would be pronounced that way? Whatever you call it, though, Pandapas Pond is pretty neat. This day-use pond is located in the Jefferson National Forest, just outside of Blacksburg.
I visited this beautiful area to walk around the pond and explore. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk around the whole thing, depending on how fast you walk. It's a one-mile dirt path that is stroller-friendly and wheelchair-friendly. Along the way, you'll see a dock where you can fish, a wooden boardwalk and some trails that go off to other places. I also saw lots of flowers, a wetlands area, lots of birds, fish and even some snails, but I was told that the snails are invasive and shouldn't be there.
I don't believe you can get into the pond and wade, and but there are rocks along the edge that you can sit on and look out onto the water, so you can enjoy the pond that way.
Pandapas Pond is a nice place to visit if you want a place to walk and enjoy nature and be around water, all at the same time. Bonus: There's a restroom on site, but be aware that it's primitive (more like a port-a-potty, but still). read more