Three Lakes Park & Nature Center
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Three Lakes Park & Nature Center provides a multifaceted outdoor experience centered around three scenic lakes, featuring diverse walking paths (paved, gravel, dirt), two distinct playgrounds (one shaded), and abundant picnic facilities including a covered shelter. It stands out for its serene natural setting, opportunities for wildlife viewing (specifically turtles), a large accessible pier, and designated fishing spots, making it a versatile destination for family outings and relaxation despite the Nature Center's ongoing closure.
Key Highlights
- ✓Multiple well-maintained walking/running paths circling the lakes, with options for paved, gravel, and dirt terrain.
- ✓Two well-kept playgrounds: one in full sun, the other offering some shade.
- ✓Several picnic areas, including a covered shelter ideal for gatherings.
- ✓Opportunity to watch turtles and other wildlife in a calming natural environment.
- ✓Designated spots for fishing around the lakes.
- ✓A large pier that is accessible for kids, even while the Nature Center is under construction.
- ✓Abundant natural shade around the lakes and near playgrounds/shelters.
- ✓Clean bathrooms reported near the playgrounds (though hand dryers were broken on one visit).
- ✓Trails are generally clean and grounds are well kept.
Standout Features
- ⭐Variety of walking paths (paved, gravel, dirt) catering to different preferences and mobility needs, with the largest lake entirely paved.
- ⭐Two distinct playgrounds, one specifically offering shade.
- ⭐Serene atmosphere with three beautiful lakes surrounded by dense trees, ideal for a tranquil escape.
- ⭐Abundant natural shade available around the lakes and near playgrounds/shelters.
- ⭐Multiple picnic tables and a covered area suitable for family gatherings.
- ⭐Unique opportunity to observe turtles and other wildlife.
- ⭐Large pier that is accessible and recommended for kids to visit.
- ⭐Layout keeps trails relatively quiet as playgrounds and bathrooms are on the opposite side of the park.
- ⭐Dog-friendly park (with expectation that owners clean up after pets).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Supervise young children very closely, especially on paths where edges have steep drops into the lake.
- →Check the county website for updated information regarding the Nature Center's reopening, as it's closed until at least Fall 2025.
- →Consider bringing hand sanitizer in case restroom hand dryers are still broken or if facilities are not pristine.
- →Avoid feeding the wildlife to maintain their natural behavior and health.
- →For a quieter experience and to avoid larger crowds, loud music, and potential litter, visit on weekdays or early weekend mornings.
- →Wear appropriate footwear suitable for varied terrain, including paved, gravel, and dirt paths with roots.
- →Be aware that the large pier is only accessible by walking around the outside of the Nature Center area during its closure.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Some path edges have steep drops into the lake, requiring close supervision for young children.
- ⚠The Nature Center building is currently closed for updating and construction, with an estimated reopening date of Fall 2025.
- ⚠Hand dryers in the bathroom area near the playgrounds were reported broken during one visit.
- ⚠One review noted the restrooms are 'not well-maintained' overall, contradicting another report of cleanliness.
- ⚠Fair-weather weekends can attract more people, leading to louder car music, and increased litter/trash.
- ⚠Some trails are gravel and dirt with roots, which may be challenging for strollers or those with mobility issues.
Price & Value
No entrance fee or specific pricing mentioned, indicating free public access to the park's facilities and trails.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Paved paths around the largest lake are suitable for strollers and potentially wheelchairs.
- •Other paths are a mix of gravel and dirt with roots, which may pose challenges for strollers or individuals with mobility impairments.
- •No specific mention of dedicated accessibility features or services beyond varied path types.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food is implicitly allowed and encouraged due to the presence of multiple picnic tables and a covered picnic area.
- •No mention of any on-site food vendors or specific restrictions.
🚗Parking Info
- •While not explicitly detailed, the presence of a park implies available parking. No specific costs or quantity of spots are mentioned, but likely free public parking.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Generally described as 'pretty lively' with people engaging in various activities.
- •Fair-weather weekends are noted to bring 'more people' and can result in 'loud car music' and 'litter / trash'.
- •Trails are considered 'relatively quiet' due to the separation of playgrounds and bathrooms from the main trail areas.
- •Weekday mornings are likely to be less crowded.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Parents are advised to be aware of 'steep drops into the lake' along certain path edges, requiring active supervision for children.
- •No specific staff-monitored safety features like lifeguards or dedicated park staff presence mentioned in the reviews.
- •Park is generally clean and well-maintained, contributing to overall safety.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Fair-weather weekend afternoons if you prefer quiet trails, wish to avoid larger crowds, loud car music, or increased litter.
- • Visiting with the expectation of utilizing the Nature Center building or its indoor facilities, as it is closed for construction until Fall 2025.
- • Leaving very young children unsupervised near lake paths due to reported steep drops.
- • Expecting consistently pristine restrooms, as maintenance reports vary.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Three Lakes Re-Opening Celebration
September 11, 2025
Not specified
Multi-day celebration including: Ribbon Cutting & Dedication (10am), Community Celebration (10am-3pm), Nature Center tours, Community partners and vendors, Bounce house, DJ, selfie station.
Three Lakes Outdoor Concert
September 12, 2025
Not specified
Outdoor concert featuring 5 STARR. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. Part of the multi-day re-opening celebration.
Three Lakes Movie in the Park
September 13, 2025
Not specified
Outdoor showing of 'Ice Age' at 7pm. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair. Picnics are welcome. Part of the multi-day re-opening celebration.
🍎Food Policy
- • Picnics are welcome for the 'Three Lakes Movie in the Park' event.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Only service dogs trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities are permitted inside the Nature Center (per ADA).
- • Personal pets are prohibited inside the Nature Center for the health and safety of humans and animals.
- • The Nature Center is unable to accept surrendered pets.
- • Injured or orphaned wildlife should not be brought to the Nature Center; staff are not trained or licensed for wildlife rehabilitation. Contact the Department of Wildlife Resources wildlife conflict helpline at 1-855-571-9003.
📅Booking Policy
- • A permit is required to hold outdoor events on Henrico County park property.
- • Picnic shelters are available for reservation.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 8 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Sara Smith
a month agoReally cute park. Perfect for families, walks etc. there are multiple running/waking paths that circle the lakes. Some paths are paved, some are gravel. There are a number of areas where you can fish, or sit close to the lake. Be aware if you have kids there are some areas of the paths where the edges have steep drops into the lake. The are several areas with picnic tables including a covered area that can be used for parties/gatherings. There are two playgrounds that are well kept. One playground is full sun. The other has a little bit of shade. There is a bathroom area near the playgrounds that was clean when we visited - though the hand dryers were broken. My understanding is that the nature center has been under construction for some time and there is no current date for reopening. Recommend checking the county website for updates. We look forward to visiting when it reopens.
Cathy Alcantar
a month agoEnjoyed walking the trails here. The place was pretty lively; people fishing, walking, picnicking, and kids playing on the playground. Well maintained and great views of the park.
Dmitriy A
in the last weekVery nice park with plenty of walking. Area for the kids to play and just enjoy the nature.
J. Miller
a week agoI walk and run the trails of this park very often. It is generally clean and the grounds are well kept. There's plenty of shade offered around the lakes with other shady spots and shelters near the playgrounds. The largest of lakes is paved in its entirety. The other two are combinations of gravel and dirt (with some roots). The Nature Center Area is currently closed for updating and there's quite a bit of construction. The area should reopen Fall 2025 . The large pier is only accessible by walking around the outside of the Nature Center - it's a great visit for kids. Please do not feed the wildlife. The playgrounds and bathrooms are on the opposite side of the park from the trails which keeps the trails relatively quiet. Fair-weather weekends bring more people, loud car music, litter / trash, and dogs. It's a very dog friendly park, and I'm grateful to all owners who pick up after themselves, their children, and their pets. Enjoy nature! Be creative, not destructive!
K R Kal
9 months agoI recently visited Three Lake Park, and it exceeded my expectations as a perfect spot for walking, running, and leisurely strolls with kids. The park's serene atmosphere, enhanced by its three beautiful lakes, offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Each lake is surrounded by dense trees, creating a calming environment that is ideal for nature lovers. You can choose to circle all three lakes or enjoy each one individually, making it a versatile destination for different preferences. One of the unique features of the park is the opportunity to watch turtles, adding a touch of wildlife to your visit. Benches by the lakes provide perfect spots to sit, unwind, and soak in the scenic views, making it an excellent place to relieve stress. The park also has a dedicated kids' play area, ensuring that children have a great time. Additionally, it is a calm place for fishing, appealing to those looking for a quiet activity. However, it's worth noting that the restrooms are not well-maintained, which could be improved to enhance the overall experience. Despite the restroom issue, Three Lake Park remains a fantastic destination for outdoor activities, offering a peaceful retreat with beautiful lakes and lush surroundings.