DCR Virginia

The Pocahontas Ferry arrives at Jamestown Landing

If you read my Valentine's Day Ideas post last week, you will be waiting anxiously to hear about my trip to Chippokes Plantation State Park for the Valentine's Day weekend. My husband David and dog Yoda had a wonderful and as usual too short getaway. I have lots to tell you about the park and will share it in small posts like an old serial novel.

One of my favorite things about traveling to Chippokes Plantation State Park is the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry. While all visitors will not need to ride the ferry to get to the park, if your visit will include excursions to the Virginia Historical Triangle (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown), you will find the ferry a wonderful experience.

The ferry is free and runs on a regular schedule 365 days a year. The ferry runs between Jamestown and Scotland Wharf, across the James River in Surry County. The actual trip across the James River is less than 15 minutes, but you need to allow for the loading and unloading, so I usually allow about 30 minutes in my head. There may also be time waiting if you don't catch the schedule right (Fall/Winter/Spring Schedule or Summer Schedule).

According to the information on the VDOT website, the ferry accommodates 936,000 vehicles annually - from motorcycles to big rig trucks and tour buses. My favorite trip is at the front of the line but the trips we took across the James this visit we timed the ferry schedule so well we were mostly at the back of the pack.

Be sure and check out VDOT's site here for an interesting history of the 84 year old ferry and information about the fleet.

Comments for A Visit to Chippokes Plantation State Park - Getting There is Half the Fun

Friday, February 20, 2009 by Kimberly Bock:: My friend and I have been trying to find various Va parks and resources to take advantage of in the near future. We are just beginning to locate interesting parks and fun Va things to do. Thanks for the tip on the ferry. Maybe we'll have to check that out. :-)