Just across the James River from historic Jamestown in beautiful Surry County, Chippokes Plantation is one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country. A working farm since 1619, the park offers modern recreational activities and a glimpse of life in a bygone era. Visitors tour the historic area with its antebellum mansion and outbuildings, stroll through formal gardens, and view antique equipment at the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum. A campground and four overnight cabins allow visitors to stay on the historic grounds. The park has an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a visitor center with a gift shop. It also provides opportunities to bike, hike, ride horseback and picnic. Chippokes Plantation also offers wedding packages and meeting facilities.

Hours

Dawn - dusk.

Camping

The campground, which has two loops, is open from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December. All campers should check in at the office upon arrival. Those arriving after the office is closed will find check-in information at the entrance's contact station. Maximum occupancy per site is six people.

Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 1 p.m. Although campsites cannot be guaranteed before 4 p.m., campers are welcome to arrive earlier and enjoy the park.

Chippokes Plantation allows guests to reserve specific campsites.

Loop A

Sites 19-50 have electricity and water; they can accommodate tents and pop-ups, and some sites can fit RVs up to 30 feet long. Most sites aren't level. The amphitheater, just-behind the bathhouse, is also by this loop. Sites accept 20 and 30-amp current. Tent campers prefer these sites because they're shadier than those in loop B.

Also in loop A is a group camping area with four tent sites. They're for tents only (no electric hookup, one water spigot). Maximum occupancy is 24 (six per site). Group sites that accommodate more than six people have a higher cancellation fee than do regular campsites.

Loop B

Sites 1 through 18 have water and electric sites; they accommodate rigs up to 50 feet long and accept 20, 30 and 50-amp current. RV guests and those with longer rigs prefer these longer sites, which are less shady than those in loop A. The sites are paved and level; some are pull-through. The sites have a gravel “living space” area. Site S16 is ADA-compliant and near an ADA-accessible bathhouse, which also has a laundry facility.

Campground

Across from the pool area; some sites are closer than others to the pool.
Fire rings are at each campsite; guests may make campfires or cook with charcoal.
Firewood is for sale.
Visitors to the campground must pay the daily parking fee and leave the park by 10 p.m.
Swimming is free with overnight cabin or campsite. No refunds are given should swimming be unavailable for any reason.
All camping equipment and vehicles must fit within designated site borders. Overflow parking is at the pool area.
A maximum of two vehicles, in addition to camping unit, are allowed per site. Additional vehicles must be parked in the overflow parking lot, and the daily parking fee must be paid per vehicle.
Total sites (51): Site-specific A, 5; site-specific B, 18; non-specific A, 27; group A - 1.

Recreation

TRAILS
The park has 12 miles of trails. Ten miles of trails are open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Most trails are grass-covered and around farm fields, so they can be muddy during wet weather. The most popular trail is College Run Trail. It's a paved 1.2-mile trail that runs from the visitor center along the James River to the historic area. Only hikers and bike riders are allowed on this trail.

SWIMMING
An Olympic size swimming pool and a kiddie pool are open from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Click here for park fees. From Memorial Day to mid-June and from mid-August to Labor Day, swimming may be available only on weekends and Labor Day. If your stay depends on using the pool, please contact the park before making a reservation.

In the summer, swimming is free for camping and cabin guests, however it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.

FISHING, BOATING
Freshwater fishing is available with a valid Virginia fishing license. Fishing is permitted from the shore of the James River and on the banks of and bridge over College Run Creek.

Boating: No boat rentals. No motorized boat launching at this park. Although there is no developed launch for kayaks or canoes, they can be launched along College Run Creek and the James River. Associated vehicles must be parked in designated spots at the Farm and Forestry Museum visitor center. Call the park for details.

HORSES
None, but there are bridle trails. State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a negative Coggins report with each horse brought to the park. The park has a horse-trailer parking area where water is available.