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Appomattox Riverside Park (Ferndale Park)

4.3 ★★★★☆ 328 Google reviews · Running trail in Petersburg, Virginia · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Appomattox Riverside Park (Ferndale Park)'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.

MixedScenicFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parking

Canal-side and riverfront park popular for picnics, fishing hiking, and kids' fun on a playground.

What runners say about Appomattox Riverside Park (Ferndale Park)

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (328 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Clean and big place to walk or play in the water.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“The water was beautiful and had nice flat surfaces to rest on.”

Extremely calming and peaceful! Beautiful walking paths, fishing, and picnic areas! Babbling brooks are relaxing!!!!!!!

★★★★★ — Charkia , Jul 2023

Hardly crowded. Clean and big place to walk or play in the water. Go fishing or kayaking. Bring a pup or the kids. Pretty neat place that I was introduced to.

★★★★★ — Keely , Jan 2021

Really nice trail along the canal. Area is very natural and usually pretty clean. There is a new bridge to cross the canal now.

★★★★★ — Ayla , Feb 2025

Small park but has a lot to do. Has picnic tables/pavilions, walking trails, river, fishing spots and a small playground. Great place to take a hike or take the kids to get some energy out.I didn't see any restrooms there but there could be some.

★★★★★ — Katherine , Mar 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 328 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“Not a destination spot, but some nice views if you happen to be nearby.”

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🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“No restrooms that we noticed, and I did not see any good launch points for kayaks, etc.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Gravel parking lot with some sort of an abandoned/locked building next to it.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“Gravel parking lot with some sort of an abandoned/locked building next to it.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“Muddy bank to launch your kayak right next to parking lot.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“The water was beautiful and had nice flat surfaces to rest on.”

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Plan your run at Appomattox Riverside Park (Ferndale Park)

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners

Hours

Monday 7 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–8 PM
Thursday 7 AM–8 PM
Friday 7 AM–8 PM
Saturday 7 AM–8 PM
Sunday 7 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 Riverside Park (Ferndale Park)

24909 Ferndale Rd, Petersburg, VA 23803

Get directions

Running trails near Petersburg

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

Matoaca Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 235 reviews

Petersburg, VA

2.1 miles away

Pamplin Historical Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 432 reviews

Petersburg, VA

Civil War battle site & museum featuring exhibits, artifacts, camp recreations & antebellum homes.

2.4 miles away

Appomattox River Trail/VSU Trail Head

3.6 ★★★★☆ 17 reviews

South Chesterfield, VA

Paved

2.8 miles away

Ettrick Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 543 reviews

Petersburg, VA

Lit

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

3.0 miles away

Appomattox River Trail - Lower Falls (University Blvd Trailhead)

4.9 ★★★★★ 17 reviews

Petersburg, VA

25 miPaved

3.3 miles away

Patton Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 106 reviews

Petersburg, VA

Scenic

Relaxing park offering trails, swimming, fishing and views.

3.5 miles away

All running trails in Petersburg, 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.