Seven Bends State Park — Attraction in Virginia

We visited in early November 2024 on a late Saturday afternoon. This was our 27th Virginia State Park for the VA State Park Trail Quest.

We did our research and knew that this was a newer park with fewer amenities. We did not realize how the road was leading into the park. First off, the park is divided into 2 sections which you can not easily traverse in a car. You'd have to drive back into "town" and enter from the other side.

Hollingsworth Road: This was the half of the park we entered first. We made it with a minivan but if it was raining or wet we could see this potentially being a challenge. There is a 1 way bridge so you need to take turns if there is traffic coming the other way. We made it to a very nice gravel parking lot with 2 other cars there.

We were visiting later in the day so we weren't planning to really do any trails but we wanted to checkout the "play ground" area. The kids LOVED it way more than we expected. It's targeted to slightly younger kids but also had a sensory garden. The only real downside is that the path was paved with crushed aggregate rock which isn't great for wheelchairs but pretty accessible otherwise. It looks like they also removed the ladder from the overlook as I can see how kids could easily get hurt if they were not careful.

There is a pit toilet in the parking lot and at the time they also had their park trailer/concessions parked there but not open. We did run into 2 park rangers who said they were not in charge of concessions but that they were moving the trailer to the other side of the park the next day and were pretty sure it would be open but could not give us a time. We were disappointed but understood the situation. With little daylight left we wanted to drive over and visit the other half of the park.

Lupton Road: This half of the park also had a one way bridge that you needed to take turns crossing but was much more accessible. We drove into the first parking lot where had one other car in it. We arrived just in time for the sunset and it was beautiful. We drove a little further in and passed the "LOVE" sign and with the sunset we couldn't help but stop and get out to take pictures. The parking lot further up the road here also had trashcans and a pit toilet. There was also a large building near by that I think was currently hosting a wedding. A photographer and bride/groom were taking sunset photos as well. We congratulated them and they seemed very happy. Unfortunately we did not stay very long because the park was closing but well worth the visit.

Overall this park was fantastic park and since it's just over an hour to get here from home we would definitely visit again. If anything to try the trails and play on the playground. Great place to stretch your legs if you're also driving through town and want to stop. We were staying in Woodstock for the night as we were heading home from a larger trip. There was no ranger booth and feed boxes were located at...

This was our first visit to Seven Bends State Park, and we were interested in taking a hike along the river. We found there was plenty of parking for this Sunday afternoon. We didn't drive up to the additional parking area, but it would have been more convenient to the restrooms and the Gokotna trail. The restrooms were clean and well-supplied. There is no water in the park, so bring extra if you are going for a hike. There are a number of shaded picnic tables and several places to access the river.

We took the Gokotna trail along the river. It was a pretty warm day, so the sunny patches felt a little long, but we enjoyed the walk and sections that took us closest to the river. It has recently been extended a bit, so it is now a mile long. The trail surface is smooth gravel, and there are several nice rest spots along its path.

One footnote about getting here: Google maps directions took us to the south entrance on S Hollingsworth rd, which is NOT the main entrance. The long, narrow gravel road with no shoulder was not very friendly for our large pickup. We managed to turn around before the river and (luckily) didn't pass anyone in the narrowest sections on the way out. We then drove to the Lupton Rd entrance at 1191 Lupton Rd. This had a paved road up to the bridge. The last half mile was still narrow, but we found it manageable. In talking to the park ranger, he confirmed that Lupton Rd is the main entrance. I submitted a Google maps update so hopefully others will not be caught so...

So, I was gonna give this park 4 stars, with a +1 star modifier if you wanted to Kayak or Canoe or otherwise interact with the river, cuz that's definitely the draw. The trails are, largely, arduous, a challenge, and perhaps quite pretty in the Autumn time with leaves falling all around. BUT, y'all, I saw a Black Bear. So, if a park is wild enough that I'm seeing a Black Bear? That's 5 stars. For those concerned, I did immediately upon getting back down the trail phone in to the Ranger station and let them know where the Bear was (Reservoir Trail, basically at the marker for Reservoir marker, and the traile break where it splits to a bunch of other trails in the middle of the Reservoir Trail.)

Anyway, never seen a bear while hiking, so I snapped a couple pics and headed out because it looked a little young and I wasn't going to stick around to see if Mama was around.

So, yeah, if you want a work out and maybe you'll see a Bear cuz it takes you up into those hills, these trails are great for you, but honestly not like great views from where I got to. If the Bear wasn't there I was gonna give it 4 stars.

Bathrooms clean, picnic area solid. Playground area great for the kids I'm sure. Corn Fields? They've got some! (BTW, there was definitely like a woodchuck or something munching on the Corn. I scared it when I walked by.)

And it's only $5, I mean, that's a great price for a little park time. Also there's a winery literally on the way, Muse I think, so that's...