Very low key park - at least for the purposes of my visit. I primarily stopped by to go for a quick run. I think the main trail in the woods is 1.5ish mile loop with a flat terrain. The park also has a decent amount of parking although there were not too many people in the park during my visit. Also, the park/trails were pretty maintained with plenty of markers to keep you going in the right direction. While the park is nice, I probably would not go too far out of my way (30+ minutes by car) to visit unless I want to take advantage of the kayaking/paddle boating opportunities. read more

Great place to kayak! Quiet near a golf course. Huge lake to paddle. Love the scenery and seeing all the animals around.

Stumpy Lake Natural Area turned out to be a fairly nice hiking destination. It's got trails that are easy to access which are surfaced either with plain dirt or wood chips. If you cover the whole length of the longest trail it's just over a mile and a half, and you'll be able to hear birds (and even seen an occasional leaping deer) when you're in the thick of things :-) Tip: For an additional activity that might be of interest, you'll find a place where you can do rentals for Kayaks and/or Paddle Boards There's a limited number (around a dozen) free parking spots adjacent to the boat launching area. There's also additional free parking near the golf lodge. All told this is a very satisfying destination if you're interested in a nice, relaxing afternoon stroll; I'll be back! read more

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1.5 mile hike. Forest, lake views and bird watching. Kid, dog, hiker, fisher and kayaking friendly. Easy level. They have a great kayaking ramp for the lake. Good parking. They also have 2 picnic table areas. They have a porta potty. Stumpy lake appears to have 2 areas to enjoy and 2 parking areas. The one area over by the golf course is the area for the 1.5 mile walk. It is easy to follow with plenty of trail makers . They have an area with signs telling you what the trees are. That is also the area with the Kayak ramp. The second parking area is next to the man made walkway and observation deck. I love this part because it is so pretty. It over looks the lake. They also have a couple of benches down at one end. read more

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Very well maintained free public park in Virginia Beach. It's located off Indian River Road, near Elbow Road. It's truly a hidden gem and can be easily overlooked if not familiar with the area. The park is open year round form sunrise to sunset. Please note parking is sparse but there has only been one time in all the times I've gone that all spots were full and I had to wait. Like other parks there is a few picnic tables and benches. It's dog friendly but you must use a leash. Make sure to spray yourself and your fur babies with bug spray. The walking trail is very woodsy, it floods easily when it rains causing the trail to get super muddy. The best part is the kayak, paddle boarding and canoe launching dock. It's perfect for these activities due to no waves. Just be mindful no swimming or other watercraft's like boats. And it's a fresh water lake surrounded by the woods so be aware of the bugs and other living creatures. Like I mentioned already bug spray bug spray bug spray. read more

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Nice retreat to nature! If you need to knock your stress level down a few notches, this is a good place to take a stroll and let your worries melt away. The sound of birds chirping makes you feel worlds away from the grunt of the daily grind. The gentle calm of the water mirroring the cypress trees just seems to transport you to another realm of placidity. So take a walk.. on the quiet side read more

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Love taking my dog out on these trails. Gets a bit busier than I'd like on really nice days, but that is to be expected. Highly recommend. read more

Stumpy Lake Natural Area - Lakeside view - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Stumpy Lake Natural Area is in a quieter part of Virginia Beach and the border to Chesapeake. Walking in the mini pier off the road is a beautiful lake for boaters and those who like fishing. The only part that doesn't make this area too quiet is the traffic noise of cars driving through. read more

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This is definitely a must for some kayak lovers! It was so relaxing it gets a little ruff but makes it fun. We only caught one fish but we sure did see a lot of snakes in the trees. We spent over two hours in the water and it went fast. The only down fall is the parking is so small. read more

Stumpy Lake Natural Area - Headed to kayak ramp - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

This lake has become a favorite this Fall for it's wonderful scenery and my hobby of photography. If your like me you have only heard, but never been to this beautiful area. However, I love the fact that my review may generate some interest from those that did not even know that this Virginia Beach Public Park existed. There is also a Stumpy Lake Golf Course that is further back, but same entrance. There is a separate listing on Yelp for the golf course. First of all when you see the address don't think of just off of I-64. You will have to travel around 7 miles East to get to Stumpy and when you do make sure you merge to the right just after Kempsville Rd. to continue on Indian River. For most it will be the first time accessing this remote area. Of course you can access from the South the other direction which comes out of Chesapeake. The property does run pretty close to it's sister city. Signage is good, not great so pay attention or you may zip right by it. The GPS will lead you perfectly to the front gate. There is no fee to enter. Make your turn and enter the causeway which takes your across the large portion of lake on the left and the swamp on the right. Your view of the large lake will be more clear once you park since it is lined with trees. However, in the Fall and Winter you get a great view if your just driving into to check it out without leaving the car. But why do that, roll down to the parking lot at the end, park and explore. Parking is to the left after you exit the causeway. It is not spacious, however just down the road toward Stumpy Lake Golf Course there is all the parking your heart desires. There are a few pavilions for picnics and a canoe kayak ramp dock that is very convenient from the road. In no time at all you can be enjoying a picnic lunch, or launch your kayak. There are companies that do kayak tours such as White River Outfitters. Nothing with a motor is permitted on the lake which is great for noise pollution and to not get knocked over by a wave when canoeing. What is most spectacular to me are the views and it changes throughout the year. I have now caught it early Fall, mid Fall and most recently end of Fall with all the leaves down. Do you think I am giddy about Spring and Summer, got that right, I am. Bring a nice camera, or go rogue with an iPhone and take some awesome shots. It's huge expansive space with some trees in the water and a back drop of tress that line the bank is a Kodak moment. The debris that I have seen is limited, but the closer you get to the water it's more evident. Please people, do not throw your trash in the water when boating. Trash cans are plentiful, use them and help the environment. But that's not all, you can also enjoy a small amount of hiking on flat terrain. Two loops just off the initial parking area will take you on a mile loop, or add a second loop for a total of two miles of trails. There is not much that is scenic about the trails unfortunately. But if you enjoy walking through the woods on a soft canopy of leaves this is your ticket to do so. Don't be surprised to see wildlife, there are all sorts, this is there home. Dogs are allowed on the trails and you should grab a poop bag available as you start your journey. So why not a 5, it seems like I'm in love with Stumpy. Well for starters no permanent restrooms that I'm aware of. There is a single port a potty as you enter the trail. No watering station. either. Parking is slim where it's convenient and I would be shocked to learn it does not fill up in warmer weather. The trails allow for exercise, but no features to them. Those are a few negatives, but I am at a strong 4 for this lovely area. Again no fee to get in and use the park. Virginia Beach Parks rock and this is just another example of a gorgeous city park that our tax dollars support. Bring your family, a cooler and kayak, or canoe if you have and enjoy beautiful Stumpy Lake. They are open sunset to sunrise all year around. read more

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Maybe because I'm a city girl -- but I have never seen any lake like this before! It's name is truly befitting because this lake is full of Cypress trees just jutting straight out of the water. This is a wonderful, serene spot to go hiking or kayaking. But don't go alone -- locals say it's haunted! read more

This is my first time going for a trail walk with the dog here. As I pulled into the park I past several people with professional cameras set up along the road side next to the lakes on both sides of the road. The parking lot was pretty empty and I had no issues finding a nice shady spot. There are 2 trails that you can choose from, the puppy and I decided on the 1.5 mile loop. The trail was pretty muddy and the ground was covered with roots. The roots were such a burden that if you walked at a moderate pace you are bound to twist your ankle. The roots run the entire length of the trail! Not good for me as the pup was pulling a little bit. The second reason why I did not give a 5 star review was due to the population of mosquitoes in the park. It was pretty unbearable for both the puppy and I. If we stopped for more than a second to let him sniff around we got bit three times. It was so bad the dog eventually walked at such a fast pace that you can tell he was tired of getting bit too. I would recommend going here after several dry days and never to ride a bike through here. read more

Stumpy Lake Natural Area - Where a building once stood - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

This place is a hidden gem of mini hiking nature trails, fishing spots and a place to enjoy the beauty of nature. I love the docks and the serenity this place gives u. They have a few picnic area and there is a parking lot to park your cars. I like that they have a launch area for canoeing and kayaking. The trails are not super long and it's great to bring the kids and walk with the dogs. I will have to come back and rent out a canoe sometime and enjoy some recreational fishing. This place is located along Indian river road there are two sides. The fishing dock is off of elbow road and the launch pad and car parking is in the side of Indian river road. read more

Stumpy Lake Natural Area - The lake - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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I love the fact that this exists in the city. The trails are peaceful and well kept and they're not too long. There's a nice view of the swamp and thicket with some downed trees. My favorite thing there is the kayak ramp! It's so easy to drop in and paddle your heart away. There isn't a huge threat of drowning due to the fact that the water out in the middle is only 3 foot deep! (be smart, still wear your life jacket) I'm not saying the entire lake is 3 foot deep. read more

It's a lake... with stumps! No really - on the surface this place appears to be little more than a shallow body of water located beside a quiet golf course. However, if you explore a bit you'll find much more... than you bargained for in some cases. The park is accessible via a tucked away entrance off Indian River Road - but don't blink, you'll miss it. There is a small parking area located a short distance from the entrance-gate. A larger lot is a bit further in and offers easier access to the "golfier" activities of the area (yes, I invented that word). The smaller lot has a dock, complete with a kayak launch and also serves as the trailhead for a couple of short woodland paths. These paths are prone to be ridiculously muddy and packed with black flies - plan accordingly! Stay on the trails and get muddy - don't damage the fragile ecosystem by attempting to stay clean and forging your own path! Also, insect repellent is essential during warmer months; bring it! If you choose to kayak, be aware that there are a few snakes along the shore - keep your eyes open! There are some great spots to see whilst floating upon the super-smooth surface of Stumpy Lake. Lots of hidden alcoves, the occasional egret, and even an eagle now and then if you're lucky. There are also quiet a few stumps (duh) that act as kayak-seeking missiles and exist only to scar your hull - so once again, keep your eyes open! So there you have it - a lake full of stumps with an abundance of easily accessible outdoor activities. LL Bean will be holding their Outdoor Discovery School here - so be sure to check in with them should you desire some education and fun of the nature-related variety! read more

Stumpy Lake Natural Area - The view from the dock - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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This little area is near the house and offers an easy access option for getting outdoors and active! Of course, it's near the golf course but there is also a wooded area with a walking path. I would guess that the full path is about a mile and a half, so it's not huge but enough to get a good workout. I am not sure if bikes are allowed but I tried to ride mine on the trails the other day. Let's just say that the muddy trails made for an interesting ride for an old dude like me. I think I'll stick to walking next time. If you are a geo-cacher, there are quite a few of them around the area, as well. A cool feature that has been added in the last year or so is the ability to canoe or kayak in stumpy lake. They have a launching dock and used to have a group that came out on weekends with canoes and kayaks for rent. Not sure if they still do that, though. On the other side of the "lake" near Elbow Road, there is a nice dock that has been built semi-recently for fishing. Overall, it doesn't compare in size to some of the other nature areas but its rarely busy and does offer a few options for enjoying a beautiful day. read more

Stumpy Lake Natural Area - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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This is one of my favorite places to kayak with my dad when I'm home from Richmond. There are so many birds, and fish,and turtles and the lake is surrounded by trees so if you need some shade it's there. The kayak launch is the best as it's one where you but the kayak on a plastic launch, get in, and slide into the water. Equally as easy to get out of the water without getting feet wet or muddy etc. You can fish and there's a little hiking trail as well as golf and pavillions if you wanted to eat. If you live or visit VB check this place out! read more

I love running on the trail. Entire 2 rounds makes a little over 3 miles and it is shady, breezy. Not many running but just enough family on their bikes and/or dogs for me to feel safe enough to run by myself. After run, you could enjoy the waterview. They are calling it a swamp but it is quite nice to look at. Most people are visiting with their kayaks. Very limited parking spaces by the water and trail but a short walk away is a golf course area with plenty of spaces. read more

Easily one of my favorite places to walk. The trail is well maintained and gives a feeling of seclusion despite it's nearby urban surroundings. Plenty of wildlife. I've spotted foxes, deer, turtles, and numerous birds. Oh and, of course, lots of squirrels! This is a pet friendly trail that is frequently trafficked by locals. My only complaint would be that when it rains, the trails are nearly impossible to walk with all the mud and standing water. read more

The family went for a kayak adventure and we were not disappointed. Lots of fish jumping, birds to watch, and overall just an enjoyable way to spend the morning. There is an area where you are able to put in with kayaks which is pretty neat. I would recommend this lake to anyone new to boating or anyone experienced. It was quiet and peaceful and overall just an enjoyable time. read more

Stumpy Lake Natural Area - Out on the lake. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Went here yesterday to ride bikes on the soft trail and it was a very small but nice park. My husband and I towed our 2 kids behind us in the bike trailer and although a rough ride and tough push through lots of muddy patches and over grown roots, we were still able to make it through the whole trail. It even made for a challenging workout haha. The trail was completely in the woods and nicely shaded, we even were able to see some deer! There is obviously no play area here so don't come here if you are looking for a park for kids but the water to canoe on was beautiful! Would love to come back and loved that there was next to no one there so it is like a park to yourself. read more

Took the family on a rookie kayak adventure. Great set up, nice simple to use boat launch. We brought out own boats but there were some available to rent as well. No motorized traffic on that lake, so that made things even better. Will visit again. read more