Before we left home, I printed a trail map off the Park’s website. This map was neither very detailed nor precise. When I returned home, I found another on the Web, much more accurate, in fact, excellent.

Sitting on the drainage of Swift Creek, Pocahontas State Park’s amenities take full advantage of its wetlands, lakes, rivulets, hillocks and woodlands, particularly the trail network. We first crossed the Swift Creek Lake to hike the newly created Forest Exploration Trail, but we ultimately decided to head back up toward the CCC Museum and hike the Beaver Lake Trail, part of a large network of hiking-biking trails that radiate from the museum area. This 2.5-mile trail took us around the lake along marshlands, up and over hills, down to creek intakes, out to overlooks, onto bird-viewing platforms, passing wonderful seats carved from storm-felled trees. Just the ticket for a wintry day, and we weren’t alone. At least seven families crossed our path, some carrying newborns or walking dogs, with tree-climbing kids. Trails include forest roads, which cut in and through the park, as well as those around the perimeter. For mountain bikers, there’s a new system of 10 miles of single-track riding—one for beginners, one intermediate and one likened to a rollercoaster that is deemed advanced.

Pocahontas State Park, just one part of the state park system of Virginia—66,786 acres of it.