Sandy Bottom Nature Park
Sandy Bottom Nature Park used to be a garbage dump, but it has been reclaimed by nature. The park offers 456 acres of nature that includes Sandy Bottom Lake, wetland marshes, and hiking trails. There are 11 hiking trails that span a distance of about 12 total miles. The longest trail, Trillium, does a loop around the entire park. It allows you to view leaves changing in the forest, birds in the wetlands, and both Crystal Lake and Sandy Bottom Lake on its 3.3-mile length.
If you want to take a shorter hike, try the Lake Trail, which is only 0.75 miles. It does a circle around the smaller Sandy Bottom Lake. If you want to wander, you can explore Big Beech, Red Fox, and Fallen Oak, all of which connect to each other and end up back at the parking area.
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve is a 142-acre nature reserve located in nearby Portsmouth at the mouth of James River. The park has a lake in the middle called Lake Ballard, which is pretty large at 35 acres.
There are five different trails at the park: Spruce Trail, Homestead Trail, Lake Ballard Trail, Riparian Trail, and Bluebird Trail. If you want to explore the lake, take Lake Ballard Trail so you can view the oranges, yellows, and reds of fall foliage. If you’re lucky and have a perfectly calm day, the color-changing trees can reflect off the water, giving you a picturesque view.
If you want to be in just the forest so you can take in all of the leaves, take the Riparian or Homestead Trails. Either of these will immerse you in the beautiful scenery that is leaf-changing season.
Newport News Park
Newport News Park is the largest municipal park east of the Mississippi River. The park has over 30 miles of hiking trails, some of which are along the coastline. There are also two giant freshwater lakes you can hike beside. To view the lake, take the Lakeside Trail, which will allow you to sightsee around the north part of the water.
The best spot to view the fall foliage is from the White Oak Trail, which is 2.6-miles long and is located to the west of the lake. The White Oak Trail connects to the Swamp Fire Trail and Wynn’s Mill Loop if you want to continue hiking once you finish the White Oak Trail.
A fall hike is a great way to clear your mind. Go on an adventure at any of these parks and their trails if you need some time to think about what vehicle you want to purchase from Priority Toyota Chesapeake.
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