Destination: Richmond
Dawn patrol with Richmond in the background.
When I started work on the revised edition of Mountain Biking Virginia around 2015/16, there was a lot of work happening in Richmond to revitalize the James River Park Trail System, as well as improve the trails at Pocahontas State Park just southwest of the city. rvaMORE, aka Richmond MORE, had just recently rebranded itself (2014) and the club was starting to make a tangible impact on the urban city trails of the James River Park trail system and nearby regional trails, including those at Pocahontas State Park. The club worked hard to foster relationships with the city and other regional organizations, helping to create a grassroots community effort that would transform the region.
That community effort and transformation of the urban trails in the city and at Pocahontas, helped Richmond become a Bronze IMBA Regional Ride Center. Today, nearly two decades since rvaMORE came into existence — a decade since their rebranding — the trails in and and around Richmond have made it a must ride regional destination.
James River Park
Riders enjoying a freshly cut bench along a section of the Buttermilk trail along the James River Park Trail System.
URBAN: adjective ur·ban, (ˈər-bən) The word to describe the James River Park trail system.
The James River Park trail system can be easily accessed from a myriad of locations along the north and south banks of the James River, and the entirety of it offers a little something for everyone, including young riders. The trails are a clear example of a well-crafted urban system that caters to the needs of all city dwellers and visitors alike.
The loop I crafted for Mountain biking Virginia starts at the Pump House parking area, but if you are in the city, you can virtually start it from any location, including the other five distinct downtown trails that encompass the system, including Dogwood Dell, points along the Northbank, Belle Isle, Buttermilk (Southbank) and Forest Hill Park.
Belle Isle is the ideal spot for young and beginner mountain bikers, because it offers a mix of flat terrain and gentle hills. The island also features a bike skills course which provides a safe and controlled environment for practicing and improving mountain biking skills. It is the perfect place for parents to hang out while their children ride around and enjoy the park’s features. From Belle Isle you can also access the rest of the system and craft a ride that includes all of the above mentioned parks.
In addition, you can also access the Poop Loop to the east along the southbank of the James River. The Poop Loop was originally an unsanctioned trail, but later it was brought under official city maintenance. Despite its informal beginnings, it has become a valued part of the park's trail system. The Poop Loop runs adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant, which is how it got its name. If you combine it with the route detailed in the Where to Ride section of the site, you can extend your ride for an additional 4-5 miles.
Pocahontas State Park
In August 2020, Pocahontas State Park experienced a significant flood that caused extensive damage to the park.
The park received nearly 10 inches of rain in just 12 hours, leading to severe flooding. The community's response was nothing short of remarkable. Over 400 volunteers came together to help clear debris, repair trails, and recover equipment.
The collective effort showcased the strong community ties and underscored the importance of the park to local residents.
Virginia’s largest state park, at nearly 8000 acres, takes its name from the famous daughter of Algonquian Chief, Powhatan. The name is incredibly apt for the park and the system of trails within it. Pocahontas, meaning “the playful one,” embodies what you’ll experience when you ride your bike, either mountain or gravel, along the carefully built trails and network of gravel roads.
The trails at Pocahontas are divided into three distinct systems that can be combined for an epic ride. All three are documented in detail in Mountain Biking Virginia:
Morgan Mountain Bike Trails: Built in the mid to late 1990s, these trails are known for their technical riding with rocky and root-filled terrain.
Lakeview Mountain Bike Trails: Developed later, these trails offer a mix of rake-and-ride and hand-built trails with rolling terrain and scenic lake views.
Swift Creek Trails: Opened in 2015, these machine-built flow trails are accessible to beginners and pros alike. The Swift Creek Trails include seven miles of purpose-built trails for cyclists with disabilities. The accessible trails were the first of their kind in the Mid-Atlantic Region and set the standard for others that followed, including those closer to home at Patapsco Valley State Park and in Montgomery County, MD.
The accessible trails became a reality in large part thanks to the efforts of Marine Corps Veteran Wayne Goodman with support from the McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center and were instrumental in Richmond receiving its IMBA ride center designation.
On any given weekend you’ll find the Swift Creek lot packed with cars and riders of all abilities enjoying the trails. These are, by far, some of the most heavily used and visited trails in the area. Don’t let that dissuade you from going, with roughly 43 miles of trails in just the Swift Creek area alone, there is plenty of room for riders of all skill levels and other recreational users who enjoy the system. The route I detail scratches the surface of what’s available in the Swift Creek Trail system.
That’s me on the Knolly enjoying a skinny along the Blueberry trail in the Swift Creek Area of Pocahontas State Park. This photo was taken shortly after the trails were open in 2015/16 when I was working on Mountain Biking Virginia.
Beyond mountain biking, Pocahontas also has a vast network of nearly 70 miles of gravel roads that you can venture into and enjoy. The route presented here is the same one used annually during the Spring Monster Cross event.
A big thanks to Best Rides DC friend, Rodd Kugler, for sharing his track from the 2025 event.
