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    Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    4.3 (79 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

    Sandy Bottom Nature Park Photos

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    Heather B.

    Beautiful park. The walking trails are a breath of fresh air. There is a pretty nice playground for children that we utilized. There is also public restrooms that came in handy for some parents at the park. There are pavilions you can use to have an event or party. I did notice a good agouti of security though out. That made me feel nice. The water around the park was pretty. Parking can be tight if there is a big an event happening. Great place to take photographs. Conveniently located.

    ZZ L.

    This park has nice walking trails. Perfect place to find and photograph unique mushrooms

    So many turtles
    Abby R.

    I've driven past this place and never stopped. My husband grew up in the area so he was familiar with this park. I had no idea that it was definitely more of an outdoor park. It is similar to Newport News park in the aspect that there are trails in the woods. I felt safe because there was a lot of people walking the whole time so I didn't feel alone. We were able to walk around a little lake and there was a lot of turtles in there. There are paddle boats to rent and kayaks as well. There is a dog park inside. People were utilizing that. There was a playground for the kids as well with restrooms next to it. There were several trails all around to walk so we will definitely be back to try a different trail.

    Maria T.

    Calling all seekers of nature! Sandy Bottom Nature Park is tops with me! Happily we stumbled upon this rustic park in our travels. A gentle rain was falling on this cool, crisp autumn day and gave us a refreshing respite on our drive. The glassy lake dappled with droplets provided a serene backdrop to the almost 500 acre park. There were gazebos, picnics areas and pavilions for shelter. Hiking trails, camping, fishing and boat rentals are also provided. Play areas are available for your tots. Many of the trees and bushes have identifying markers on them. Pet friendly. What a well-maintained, beautifully designed and educational facility. Snakes, frogs, turtles and other animals are exhibited in the main nature center along with other displays of insects and butterflies. At every turn and around every corner, a new discovery awaits you! We vowed to return to this outdoor sanctuary very soon!

    Dale S.

    This park is an absolute staple. We visited many times and never got bored. There is so much to do. There is a lake with paddle boats, lots of nature trails to walk...you can even camp here. You can sit in on the bench swing and watch the water or have a picnic on the grass. Our dog loved it too. Lots of trails with varying scenery to look at. Parking is not too difficult to find on weekdays but as lovely as this park is I imagine it fills up quickly on weekends. This is one of my favorite places in the area.

    The bridge to The Wetlands trail
    Lamont S.

    This is a beautiful park with some playgrounds, several different trails that connect. There is also a wetlands trail you can cross the bridge from the main trail to take. On the trails you will see many people walking, running, or riding their bikes. There's a nice playground with clean bathroom facilities next to it. There are several areas to have picnics along the trails, there are several pavilions that have several picnic tables with bbq abilities. They also have small cottages that you can rent. They also have an amphitheatre section in the park! Their nature center has some reptiles and skeletons of reptiles and animals inside. There are also public bathrooms and a classroom in the back. In the nature center, you can pay by the hour or day ($4/hour or $15/day) to rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and 14-foot Jon Boats. This is a nice park to come to exercise, enjoy time with the family, or to appreciate the natural landscape of the area.

    Trail
    Cristina Cici B.

    Sandy Bottom is rather like a secret garden; you don't realize how much it has to offer until you walk around the whole thing. They say a walk in nature walks the soul back home; it's easy to see why an hour out here will make you happily disconnect from your iPhone and reconnect with the outdoors! Pet friendly, with its own bark park where dog owners socialize and dogs have an enclosed area to run around off leash, trails off the beaten path for adventure, wildlife and nature preserved, it's clear to see why so many enjoy a stroll here with their four legged friends. Ample parking, a lake that offers boat rentals and freshwater fishing, there's even a camp site where you can rent out space with a group, grill out and chill out. Nestled away in between i64 and big bethel rd, you can easily drive past and not know what you're missing. With Spring right around the corner, nature is coming to life in the park - definitely worth the visit!

    J David H.

    Sandy Bottom is ready for visitors 365 days a year. Educational opportunities and camping experiences are scheduled through Hampton Parks & Rec, or directly on site. The location for Sandy is off I64 around 1.5 miles. The park sits just 10-15 miles West of the HRBT. Signage help direct motorist to the entrance. Parking is designated in a few lots and has always been adequate on my visits. Some debris has been in th area although trash cans are present. How Sandy Bottom come about may be a mystery to some. It is a man made lake and the name derives from the sand on its bottom. The water depth is not as deep as you may think. The beginnings of Sandy came about decades ago with the construction of nearby Interstate 64. Tons and tons of dirt was needed creating the large watering hole. I keep returning because I love the water views. The wooded trail around the lake is around 2.5 miles. Its wide and flat which is perfect for a run, jog, or walk. I saw an abundant amount of jogger strollers and happy babies enjoying the ride. Canoeing, kayaking and paddle boating is a common activity on the water. Rental boats are reasonable. Cabins are available for rent. Unfortunately debris has been see every where in the park. I urge visitors to help pick up trash when you see it. Dog owners have their own fenced area and tags are checked each time by staff. Registration of your K9 is around $10. This is the only location your pet is permitted. The Nature Center is an educational building that has displays and even live reptiles. The structure includes a meeting room and restrooms. This is the office for the park ranger staff. I'm not overly impressed by the physical displays. However I am impressed by the services offered by rangers and Hampton Parks. This is a gem of a recreation space in the 757 that probably is not nearly as known to Southsiders, but should be. Put this fantastic park on your list to enjoy with the family this Fall.

    Hwal L.

    An oasis next to a busy multi-lane road, this park surprised me with the lush green and amenities. We stopped here on our recent, second-ever trip to VA Beach for a lunch break. Parking was aplenty, picnic tables and benches were everywhere, and the wonderful canopy almost made us oblivious to the road noise coming from across the river. The nature centre has public bathrooms as well as a fancy water dispenser where you can refill your water bottle without tilting it, and the glass display cases outside the bathrooms had insect specimens and other interesting items like an owl skull. All in all a great space to recharge, and I'm grateful for it.

    Long trail around the park - 3.3 miles long
    Ryan L.

    This park is huge and absolutely beautiful. I came here for a run and learned they have 11 different trails that connect. You could come here every day for a week and not see the same view which is great for people like me that don't really even like to run!!! Pet friendly trails that are quiet, well groomed, and peaceful when you get away from the road. Almost all of the long trail was in the shade so it was actually a comfortable temp even in the middle of summer. Tons of parking in each of the parking lots surrounding the park with picnic tables and benches every where. Great playground for the kids and plenty of grass area to sit on a blanket and do absolutely nothing if your looking to relax. Great park and I will go back this weekend to explore it some more!

    Part of a path

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    Great place to enjoy the outdoors. They have great scenery, trails and a playground for the kids. Very clean!

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    Ask the Community - Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    Can you rent a kayak any day of the week?

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    Review Highlights - Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    The weather was cold but not to where walking was impossible.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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