Ready for a hike by the James River with kids? Some of the most popular hiking trails in RVA are around The Falls of the James -- this is a 7 mile area of America's best urban whitewater.
And, if you are ready to explore outside the city limits, there are even more water hikes around the Richmond metro area. Families can try trails along the Appomattox River, Tuckahoe Creek, through tidal freshwater marsh, and more water ways! The RVA river and waterway trails vary in difficulty from experienced to beginner -- but don't worry! You can find plenty of kid-friendly hikes by waterways in Richmond, Virginia.
I've rounded up 10 of my favorite hikes by water around Richmond, Virginia to try with children. As a family, we love hiking by the river (and all waterways in RVA) because there is plenty for kiddos to see and explore: kayakers, paddle boarders, wildlife, trains and more! These are all trails and paths my family tried with children under 5 years old. And the best part? All of these trails are free and open to the public!
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The Best River Walks for Kids in Richmond, Virginia:
1.Robious Landing Park: Located near Bon Air, this Chesterfield County park spans 102 acres on the James River. This is such a great park to visit with children because it has 3.4 miles of trails, and the trails have views of the river & forest. It has ramps for boating & docks for fishing, including a floating dock. Robious Landing Park also has a small playground, picnic tables & 3 picnic shelters.
Heads Up: The floating dock is seasonal - usually March to September. It does not have railings.
Location: Chesterfield County
Cost: This Chesterfield County Park is free to visit, and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Best Ages: I've found this to be the easiest river hike with little kids (toddlers and preschoolers) other than Tuckahoe Creek Park. Since it's in Chesterfield County, parking is right by the river and the trail, plus there is a lot going on. You will also find a small playground and bathrooms.
Stroller-Friendly: Parts of the trail are stroller friendly, but if you're trying to make a loop there is a lot of uneven ground due to roots. Skip the stroller for an easier walk and bring a baby carrier
*Check here for my review.
2. Belle Isle: A part of the James River Park System, the Belle Isle Trails are relatively easy hiking paths with scenic views and river access. This park is such a great one to visit with children because the trails are perfect for bikes and strollers. The Belle Isle trails total 1.5 miles around the island. One of the popular ways to access this trail is by crossing the pedestrian suspension bridge under the Lee Bridge. The bridge offers gorgeous views of the city, the railway & the river. There’s even a dirt bike park once you cross the bridge!
Other than the pedestrian bridge, the trails are very flat. The paths have a fine gravel surface, so it's easiest with strollers and bikes. Scooters do not work very well.
Heads up: there are only porta potties along this trail.
Location: City of Richmond
Cost: This City of Richmond park is free to visit, and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Best Ages: All ages, but this is a 1:1 parent/kid activity for us with children 6 and younger. It's a pretty long walk across the pedestrian bridge, and I feel the best if the kids are in a stroller or holding an adult's hand. There are portions of the walk with no barrier between the trail and the water.
Stroller-Friendly: Yes - I've used both a regular stroller and jogging stroller on the looop around the island. It is also bike friendly, but scooters don't work on the gravel or on the bike track.
*Check here for my review.
3. Dodd Park: Located on the banks of the Appomattox River, this 176 acre park has a lot of space to explore, and it is a fantastic one to visit with children of all ages. The upper area of Dodd Park has athletic fields, picnic areas, a large play area with 2 play structures, swings & exercise equipment. The lower area has a play space, 2.7 miles of trails & a floating boardwalk over tidal marsh
Location: Chester, Virginia Cost: This Chesterfield County Park is free to visit, and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Best Ages: All ages, but the floating boardwalk does not have railings. This is a 1:1 child/adult activity for us with kiddos 5 and younger. We usually bring our stroller from the parking lot to the dock, and then let the kiddos walk the boardwalk. There is a nature playground half way between the parking lot and dock - fun for the kids to play!
Stroller-Friendly: It is mostly stroller friendly, but the access to the floating boardwalk is not. You take stairs to get to the boardwalk.
*Check here for my review.
4. Pony Pasture Trails: Pony Pasture is one of the most popular RVA spots by the river, especially on nice days! It’s great for families because you can hike or bike the trails, picnic by the river, relax on the rocks & even get in the water. I particularly love the trails in this area because of the views & the terrain. You’ll see the river, wetlands, creeks, forest & wildlife during walks. Most of the paths are wide & flat - great for little kids & strollers! The loop made by connecting Riverside Trail to Pleasants Creek Trail is our go-to in this location.
Location: Statford Hills, City of Richmond Cost: This City of Richmond Park is free to visit, and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Best Ages: All ages
Stroller-Friendly: The loop we take is stroller friendly, but there are even more trails. These trails are bike friendly too.
*Check here for my review.
5. The Canal Walk: Located on Richmond’s riverfront, this urban hike is about 1.25 miles along the river and the canal. This paved path is a fun place to walk with little explorers, strollers, bikers & history buffs. Throughout the walk, you pass train tracks, bridges, the Tyler Potterfield Bridge & more. It’s also pet-friendly, so everyone in your family can enjoy it!
My kids loved walking by the water, running in the large field at Brown’s Island & watching for trains. It’s also a walk that grows with your family - you can use strollers, scooters and bikes on the paths.
Heads up: there are only porta potties along this trail.
Location: City of Richmond
Cost: This City of Richmond walk is free to visit, and open to the public daily.
Best Ages: All ages, but there are portions of the walk with no barrier between the path and the canal. This is a 1:1 adult/child activity for us!
Stroller-Friendly: Yes - the trail is paved and mostly flat. It connects to the Capitol Trail
6. The Capital Trail: The Capital Trail is a 51.7 mile paved trail from Richmond to Williamsburg. One of the most popular portions is from Great Shiplock Park to Rockett's Landing, a 2.4 mile round trip. It is riverfront with amazing views of the city. Parking can sometimes be limited at Great Shiplock Park, but you can parallel park in Rockett's Landing and easily jump on the trail.
There are a lot of restaurants and businesses along the trail, and there are also porta potties. Shade is limited, so wear sunscreen! This is a fun walk for the whole family, including our furry babies (on a leash). It doesn't cost a thing to walk The Capital Trail.
Heads up: there are only porta potties along this trail.
Location: City of Richmond to Jamestown Cost: This trail is free to visit, and open to the public daily.
Best Ages: Unless you are using a stroller, this hike is best for older kids (5 years old and older). The actual walking isn't difficult, but it's the parking, the proximity to the road and the river and the distance that makes it a little harder. It also has full fun from The Canal Walk to Rockett's Landing, making it really hard in the summer.
Stroller-Friendly: Yes - the trail is paved with slight inclines. This is a bike friendly trail too.
*Check here for my full review.
7. Tuckahoe Creek Park: Tuckahoe Creek Park’s boardwalk is located at the end of Ridgefield Parkway in Henrico. It has beautiful views of Tuckahoe Creek, a tributary to The James River. You will find benches on the boardwalk & a covered picnic shelter. Eventually, this boardwalk will be a trail of boardwalks that wind through the floodplain wetlands. Currently, only “Phase I” of the project is completed: a bridge from Ridgefield Parkway to Old Coach Lane.
This short boardwalk is perfect for children to walk, to watch for wildlife & to see the wetlands. It’s also incredibly peaceful!
Heads up: there are no bathrooms at this park.
Location: Henrico County, The Far West End
Cost: This Henrico County Park is free to visit, and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Best Ages: All ages, but it's particularly great for new walkers and toddlers because it is a very short walk, and you are contained on a board walk
Stroller-Friendly: Yes - you can use a regular stroller
8. Tucker Park: This 36-acre park has 1,200 feet of trails on the James River. The trail loop is a mile long, with portions by the river, in the shade and near the forest. There is so much to see: the River, old sycamore trees, rocks, wildflowers, etc. There is direct access to the river for tubing and boating. You can also fish at this park.
Heads up: there are only porta potties along this trail.
Location: Goochland County, Virginia
Cost: This Goochland County Park is free to visit, and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Best Ages: All ages - there is partial shade in the spring/summer, making it easier with little kids! We first tried this trail with a 2 year old and newborn - H was able to walk the majority of the path and he loved collecting rocks.
Stroller-Friendly: Yes - I used a regular stroller here. Most of the trail is flat with gravel.
9. Tyler Potterfield Bridge: We have been enjoying this walk since our son was just a baby! I like it because it isn't as loud as the pedestrian bridge to get to Belle Isle, and you still get the beautiful views of the river, the city, and train tracks. Parking is relatively easy, too. You can park by Tredegar Iron Works or on the southside of the bridge near the SunTrust building.
The trail is mostly flat, but there are a few inclines. People walk their dogs, ride bikes & scooters, and rock climb all along this trail!
Heads up: there are only porta potties along this trail.
Location: City of Richmond
Cost: This trail is free to visit, and open to the public daily.
Best Ages: All ages - we've used baby carriers and strollers here. My little ones loved watching the kayakers and the rock climbers. There are also train sightings!
Stroller-Friendly: Yes - I used a regular stroller here. You can also ride your bike across the bridge.
*Check here for my full review.
10. Osborne Landing Park: Located in Varina, this Henrico park has a playground, stroller-friendly trails, a boat slip, canoe launch & fishing pier. It also has a fenced in playground, two picnic shelters & a paved trail from the playground to the river. My littles love the water themed playground too! This park and trail have multiple bathrooms - one by the playground and one by the river.
Location: Henrico County, The East End
Cost: This Henrico County Park is free to visit, and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Best Ages: Great for the 3-7 year olds. This is a pretty easy walk for teenagers and adults. It is full sun, so heads up in the summer.
Stroller-Friendly: Yes - I used a regular stroller here. You can also ride your bike from the playground to the river.
*Check here for my review, and check here for a place to eat after!
Things to do with kids in RVA, river hikes in Richmond, Virginia, kid-friendly hikes in Virginia, parks in Richmond
Did your favorite Richmond area river walk? If not, send me an email at megan@thewestnednmom.com . Can't wait to check it out!