The James River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 4,800 acres of very different habitats, ranging from pine-dominated forests and moist deciduous and floodplain forests to freshwater marshes, shrub swamps, aquatic habitats, erosion cliffs and open uplands. The refuge was established in 1991 to protect bald eagles and other species of particular concern. If you prefer to explore nature on a trail, you’ll find the recently expanded Powell Creek Nature Trail there. It is 1.5 miles long and open daily year-round from sunrise to sunset; check access information before your visit.
Out on the River
The Appomattox River Regional Park also combines nature with outdoor activity. Covering more than 67 acres, the park offers wooded trails and an observation pier on the Appomattox River. Kayaks can be rented at the park on a self-service basis through the Rent.Fun mobile app. Program details may change, so check them before your visit. Here, you can combine different interests: take a walk through wooded terrain, enjoy a view of the river from the pier or spend some time on the water. The Powell Creek Nature Trail offers a different focus: its stated length and daily opening hours provide specific guidance for planning.
Prince George County lies on the Appomattox River and Interstate 95, 30 miles south of Richmond. For more outdoor trails, the Eastern Front Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield offers about ten miles of nature trails suitable for hiking, running and biking. Their approximate length also makes them appealing to visitors who would rather spend their time on the move than choose a single short nature trail.
History Across the Ages
Flowerdew Hundred Plantation reaches far back into the early history of North America. It was among the earliest English settlements in the New World. The first documented windmill in North America was built at Windmill Point around 1621. The complex includes structures from the early 17th century, as well as evidence of Indigenous settlement dating to around 9000 BC. These time spans tell of very different chapters, from early Indigenous settlement to English settlements and their technological innovations.
Another historical landmark is Brandon, a historic plantation on the south bank of the James River in Prince George County. The present-day property encompasses 4,500 acres of the original 7,000 acres patented by Captain John Martin in 1616. Its connection to a specific person, year and large area of land offers a different way to approach history than Flowerdew Hundred’s archaeological and architectural traces across the ages.
Museums and Cultural Heritage
The U.S. Army Women’s Museum focuses on women’s contributions to the U.S. Army from 1775 to the present. Admission, tours, programs and the research library are free. The U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum is dedicated to the history and heritage of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps. Together, the two museums offer different perspectives on the history of the U.S. Army.
The Virginia Czech and Slovak Folklife Festival celebrates the cultural heritage of immigrant families from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries who settled in Prince George County. The county’s farmers and producers market offers a connection to the present-day agricultural community by supporting farmers who use sustainable agricultural practices.
More Ideas for Active Pursuits
Outdoor experiences extend beyond trails and water. Tree Time Adventures combines an elevated outdoor obstacle course with a treetop experience and features eight ziplines. Pine Valley at Scott Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course, and Temple Recreation Park has a nature and jogging trail. For a different kind of activity, Swaders Sports Park offers laser tag. At Perfect Picks Flower Farm, visitors can pick their own flowers. These options offer different ways to spend your time—from exercise and skill-building to flower picking—and can be chosen to suit your interests.
Discover more destinations: Prince George, Washington County, Wythe County, Culpeper County, Rockingham County, Petersburg, Salem, Hanover County.
For the main travel overview: Virginia.
