Description
Once a State Game Sanctuary for white-tailed deer, this aptly named 50-acre park offers woodland, creek, and lake habitats. Deer Park is a multi-use park with an extensive walking trail of particular interest to the wildlife enthusiast. This trail meanders through woodlands of pine, oak , maple, and tulip poplar, mucky lake edges, and grassy banks, and supplies a venue to view nesting and migrant songbirds. Deer Park Lake attracts wood ducks and other dabbling ducks. Take note–this multi-use facility can be extremely crowded during weekends.
Access Note: The small foot bridge that provides access to the 13-acre track trail system has been temporarily closed.
Wildlife Sightings
103 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Deer Park:
- Mallard
- Hooded Merganser
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
- Great Blue Heron
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Barred Owl
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- American Crow
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Feb 2026 | 3 | Tonja Wight |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 22 | Catherine Schaller |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 21 | Yukari Hughes |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 21 | Sandy Graham |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 22 | Sally Young |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- Birdability Report Available
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Other Amenities: Hiking Trails
Accessibility Considerations
This location has a Birdability Site Review available
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 11523 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA 23601
From I-64, exit onto US-17 South/J Clyde Morris Boulevard, turn left onto Jefferson Avenue, and turn right onto Deer Park Drive to enter the park.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Free, Daily Sunrise-Sunset
Contact Information:
- City of Newport News, (757) 886-7912
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.