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Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head

3.6 ★★★★☆ 17 Google reviews · Running trail in South Chesterfield, Virginia · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head — running trail in South Chesterfield, VA, photo 1
Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head — running trail in South Chesterfield, VA, photo 2
Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head — running trail in South Chesterfield, VA, photo 3
Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head — running trail in South Chesterfield, VA, photo 4
Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head — running trail in South Chesterfield, VA, photo 5
Paved

What runners say about Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (17 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Eventually, this trail will be much better for biking once it connects to the rest of the Appomattox River Trail. Currently, though, the trail zigzags down a hillside before simply ending. There is no riverside access unless you bushwack, though there are some nice streams.

★★★★☆ — Cherry , Feb 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitechesterfield.gov
  • Phone(804) 748-1623

Hours

Monday 6 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–8 PM
Thursday 6 AM–8 PM
Friday 6 AM–8 PM
Saturday 6 AM–8 PM
Sunday 6 AM–8 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head

3801 Main St, South Chesterfield, VA 23803

Get directions

Running trails near South Chesterfield

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Appomattox River Trail - Lower Falls (University Blvd Trailhead)

4.9 ★★★★★ 17 reviews

Petersburg, VA

25 miPaved

under a mile away

Patton Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 106 reviews

Petersburg, VA

Scenic

Relaxing park offering trails, swimming, fishing and views.

under a mile away

Ettrick Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 543 reviews

Petersburg, VA

Lit

Family-friendly park featuring picnic tables, walking and running trails, and several playgrounds.

under a mile away

Appamatuck Park - Appomattox River Greenway

4.3 ★★★★☆ 191 reviews

Colonial Heights, VA

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Public park with a paved path popular for walks and offering river views.

1.1 miles away

Appomattox River Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 84 reviews

Colonial Heights, VA

1.5 miPavedScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring trails for walking and biking, plus picnic tables and a fishing spot.

1.4 miles away

Rotary Park - Pocahontas Path

4.6 ★★★★★ 36 reviews

Petersburg, VA

1.7 miles away

All running trails in South Chesterfield, VA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.