Pocahontas State Park

Although the 7,919 acres of Pocahontas State Park are largely covered with eastern deciduous forest, there are actually a variety of habitats including wetlands, lakes and ponds, grassy openings, and stands of old pine trees. In addition to 6.6 miles of walking trail, the park contains 33.1 miles of designated bicycle trails, and 46.5 miles of multi-use trail which penetrate virtually all of the park’s major habitats.

Benches along Swift Creek Lake, Beaver Lake, and Third Branch are good spots to watch waterfowl, herons, and osprey. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

During summer, Beaver Lake Trail and Big Poplar Trail have a variety of birds including several species of nesting flycatchers and wetland birds. Just above the dam, look along the rock piles for spotted sandpiper. A popular viewing area is the spillway at the east end of Beaver Lake. The lake hosts a diversity of dragonflies and damselflies during the summer and provides refuge for wintering waterfowl such as bufflehead and ring-necked duck. Flocks of wild turkey and numerous white-tailed deer can also be seen throughout the park year-round. Nighttime visitors may be fortunate enough to hear owls, and see nocturnal mammals such as raccoon, opossum, and striped skunk.