Chippokes State Park (NPS Chesapeake Gateways)

Explore one of America’s oldest working farms at Chippokes State Park.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Quick Facts

Location:

695 Chippokes Park Rd., Surry, VA

Significance:

Chippokes State Park preserves a 400-year agricultural landscape while interpreting enslaved labor, early American farming, and Chesapeake Bay ecology along the historic James River corridor.

Designation:

Virginia State Park; Chesapeake Gateways Network Site

MANAGED BY:

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Amenities

5 listed

Beach/Water Access, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion

Chippokes State Park, located along the James River in Surry County, Virginia, preserves one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the United States, with agricultural roots dating to 1619. Now operated by Virginia State Parks, the site interprets centuries of farming, land use, and human experience, including the lives and labor of the enslaved people who worked the land for generations. Through exhibits and programs, the park offers a deeper understanding of this history within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

Visitors encounter a blend of cultural and natural resources across nearly 2,000 acres. The historic area features the Jones-Stewart Mansion, original outbuildings, and formal gardens, while the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum displays agricultural tools and artifacts that trace evolving rural life. Trails wind through forests, fields, and riverfront habitats, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. While yurts and historic cabins allow visitors extended stays on this historic and impactful landscape. The park’s shoreline along the James River invites exploration, including fossil hunting and seasonal interpretive programs. 

Chippokes also provides paddling experiences on nearby creeks, connecting visitors to the region’s waterways and ecological systems. Its proximity to Jamestown places it within the broader story of early English settlement and aligns with themes of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Visitors are encouraged to learn more through the park’s website. 

This location does not accept the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Entrance fees and ticket policies are set independently by the managing partner, as detailed on their website. 

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