Hello everyone! While researching the Hampton Roads area this week in search of places to go during quarantine, I stumbled across Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Despite living in Hampton Roads for some time now, I had never heard of this city park tucked away in the northwest corner of Hampton, Virginia. Of course, I was immediately intrigued.
If you, too, have never heard of Sandy Bottom Nature Park, it’s definitely time you did, whether or not you live in Hampton Roads.
This beautiful 450-acre park consists of two lakes, marshlands, wooded walking trails, a dog park, camping grounds, and a 10,000-square-foot nature center.
But what makes this park so uniquely special is the fact that it sits on reclaimed land. Sandy Bottom was a huge project that turned dumps and barrow pits into a gorgeous city park where wildlife could thrive. Seeing it now, with water so clear you can see the bottom and well-kept trails, it’s hard to believe that a place this beautiful came from something so sad!
Now, the park is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week, free of charge. And with everything to do there, it’s certainly a place you’ll want to check out this summer!
*You can download a park map here and a park brochure here.
Top 5 Things to Do at Sandy Bottom Nature Park
Rent a Canoe or Paddle Boat!
As I mentioned, the park has two stunning lakes: Sandy Bottom Lake and Crystal Lake. Renting a canoe or paddle boat is the perfect way to fully explore these beautiful waters and enjoy a spring or summer day.
You’ll see plenty of fish and turtles through the clear waters, and paddling through the channels off of Crystal Lake will give you the chance to see some waterfowl up close as well, including ducks, herons, geese, and other migratory birds.
The park also offers guided tours throughout the year, which is a great way to explore and learn!
Look for Wildlife
I was honestly a little shocked at just how many animals we were able to see during our trip here–especially compared to what we saw on our last State Park adventure.
Sandy Bottom Nature Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife from deer to endangered snakes and salamanders. Marked spots along the trails, such as habitat towers, are prime locations to see some of the smaller creatures.
However, the lakes are also full of fun critters to keep an eye out for!
The boardwalk at the beginning of Osprey Point is a hot spot for this colony of turtles! I love turtles anyway, but even more so when they’re colorful like these! We saw shells streaked with bright yellow, orange, white, and green!
While admiring the turtles here, a sunning dock to the right caught my attention. In the middle of Crystal Lake, near where the bridge from Fallen Oak Trail crosses over the water, a pile of turtles were sunning themselves on a square wooden dock. Obviously, I had to go get a picture.
As we headed further down Trillium Trail toward the north-west corner of Crystal Lake, we came across an entire family of ducks!
Mr. Duck was keeping watch out in the water while the Mrs. and 8 or 9 ducklings feasted on the plants at the water’s edge. Both parents were aware of us, but they let us get incredibly close to watch and get some pictures.
I never knew how fast ducks ate! It was hard to get a clear picture of the ducklings because they were rapidly pecking at the plants in a way that made their entire little bodies tremble non-stop. In a matter of seconds, they would clear an area and move further down the bank toward us.
We made a point to stop by later when we rounded Crystal Lake again, and I was able to get this adorable photo of the ducklings sleeping.
Another cool bird to keep an eye out for is the local heron (If I incorrectly identified this bird, don’t hate me!). He’s featured on the park’s brochure, but we also spotted him perched on a platform on the narrow side of Crystal Lake.
I loved his beautiful gray feathers, and the way he stood like he owned the place! However, he was very skittish and eventually flew away to the other end of the lake.
As the weather warms up, there’s no telling what amazing creatures you can see!
Explore the Trails
Sandy Bottom Nature Park has 12 miles of lovely trails weaving throughout the lakes, marshlands, and woods. Most of them are bicycle accessible as well, which means that you can cover a lot of area easily.
Several of the trails allow you to walk completely around both lakes, and Trillium Trail (the park’s main and longest path at 3.3 miles) guides you directly through the narrow gap between the Sandy Bottom and Crystal Lakes. You’ll get plenty of gorgeous lake views on all of these trails, particularly by the docks and the photo spot on Sandy Bottom Lake.
All of the paths in the lake areas are well-kept and shaded, so they’re perfect for a stroll even on hot days. Fallen Oak trail even has a double-sided bench that sticks out from the bank where you can sit and dip your toes in the water! I also loved this cute bridge over the north end of Crystal Lake.
My favorite trail by far was Osprey Point, however. This path follows a land bridge right through the eastern side of Crystal Lake! The water is very close on either side, presenting a great opportunity to see fish and turtles at close range. The trees on this trail also seem to naturally bend in, creating an enchanting tree tunnel in places. This is also where we spotted the heron and some other waterfowl.
Besides enjoying the beautiful trees (have you ever stopped to notice how big around some trees are or the interesting textures between types of bark?) and lake views, you’ll also spot some very lovely flowers along the trails.
Fish for Your Dinner
Right by the Nature Center, there’s a large pier extending onto Sandy Bottom Lake that’s the perfect spot for fishing! It also provides a fantastic view of the lake. The pier divides into two at the end, so there’s plenty of room for more than one fishing party.
According to the park’s brochure, visitors can expect Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and Catfish.
Alternatively, you can rent a Jon boat and take it out onto either lake for some peace while you fish.
Have a Picnic
Sandy Bottom is an ideal location for a lakeside picnic. The gorgeous views, well-shaded areas, and outdoor entertainment options offer a great choice for a lazy afternoon with friends or family.
The park has 5 picnic shelters that are available for rent, as well as a number of free-range picnic tables you can snag when you get there.
However, there are also a number of fantastic places just to spread out a blanket and enjoy the view while you eat.
Closing Thoughts on Sandy Bottom Nature Park
Are you ready to visit Sandy Bottom Nature Park yet?
I know I’ll be back later this year when I can fully enjoy it post-quarantine. I’m especially eager to rent a canoe and have a romantic afternoon exploring the waterways with my husband! And with all these gorgeous trees, I can’t even imagine how beautiful the park is during the fall!
I’m so glad that we decided to visit, and I hope you’ll also give it a chance if you’re looking for things to do in Hampton Roads, Virginia– during quarantine and after!
I’d love to hear your comments and questions, so please feel free to leave them below. And don’t forget to share this with your friends in Virginia (or future visitors) so they know about this outdoor gem as well!
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Wishing you all health, happiness, and many future adventures.
Happy travels!
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