A trip to Dinwiddie County can focus on a variety of interests: Civil War history, motorsports, and trails and outdoor activities. When planning your stay, you can weigh these interests against one another rather than trying to fit everything into a packed itinerary. The historic sites and museum offer a different focus from Virginia Motorsports Park; Ferndale Park and Lake Chesdin add trails and water activities to the mix.
Five Forks and its history
The Five Forks Battlefield Unit has a driving tour with five stops and information panels along the way. There are also eight miles of forest trails. This gives you two different options: a drive with several stops and an extensive trail network. Having both options helps you choose your focus—whether to visit the stops by car or plan time on the forest trails. Check the current conditions before your visit.
The Battle of Five Forks triggered the collapse of Petersburg and Richmond. Historic Dinwiddie Courthouse offers another historic connection: the building was constructed in 1851 and served as the headquarters of Union General Philip H. Sheridan during the Battle of Dinwiddie Courthouse. The Dinwiddie County Historical Society is located in the Dinwiddie County Historic Courthouse; visits are available by appointment.
The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier features interactive computers, videos, life-size dioramas, more than 1,000 original artifacts, and the multisensory battlefield simulation “Trial By Fire.” The exhibits combine digital formats, vivid displays, and original objects. The museum thus complements the historical connections of Five Forks and Dinwiddie Courthouse with its own approach to Civil War history.
Motorsports as a focus
At Virginia Motorsports Park, offerings range from drag racing and mud bogging to motocross and ATV training, as well as driving schools, autocross, and cross-country motocross. The range includes both different types of motorsports and training options. Which activities are currently available may vary.
There is a specific figure for drag racing: the quarter-mile drag strip is lined with 23,000 seats. The track length and seating capacity give an idea of the venue’s scale, without saying anything about specific dates or how events are run.
Water and trails
Lake Chesdin has two public concrete boat-launch ramps managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. A 2024 county travel guide lists swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing at the lake. Check local conditions for the ramps and individual facilities before using them.
Ferndale Park, also called Appomattox Riverside Park, is located in Dinwiddie County. It has a 1.5-mile canal trail and a section of the Appomattox River Trail. The park also offers opportunities for birdwatching, canoeing, fishing, and whitewater rafting. Trails and activities in the park can be considered as a separate part of your trip planning, ranging from a trail of a specified length to activities in and on the water.
Seasonal dining
Riverside Vines complements its wine offerings with seasonal small plates and entrées. Access is an important consideration: the tasting room is closed for daily sales this season; visits are planned through scheduled events and private celebrations. If food and wine are among your travel interests, take this restriction into account when planning.
Discover more destinations: Dinwiddie, Washington County, Chesapeake, Lynchburg, Carroll County, Mathews County, Fairfax County, Mecklenburg County
For the full travel guide: Virginia.
