Our Dog Friendly Road Trip back to Year 1611
Fun fact: Chesterfield cigarettes, James Bond’s favorite smokes, are named after Chesterfield County, the site of Virginia’s first successful tobacco cash crop.
Chesterfield County rates 5 out of 5 stars!
We based this rating on our experiences during numerous trips to Chesterfield County.
- Accommodations not rated
- Dining ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Dog Friendliness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- History ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Recreation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sightseeing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
However, our rating does not capture the over-the-top, “these go to eleven” quality we found in Chesterfield County, which made our visits so memorable.
Henricus Historical Park
251 Henricus Park Road, Chester
A truly unique Virginia experience, Henricus Historical Park recreates the New World’s second English establishment.
This one goes to 1611.
The Citie of Henricus, founded in 1611 to replace Jamestown as the Virginia colony’s new headquarters, functioned successfully until the 1622 Indian massacre when surviving colonists abandoned the location.
Its founder, Sir Thomas Dale, subscribed to the “beatings will continue until morale improves” leadership method.
Dale and his soldiers sailed into Jamestown not long after its vicious starving time and punished the survivors for laziness among other sins.
Sir Thomas Dale, circa 1615, by artist Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
However, Dale knew the three most important rules in real estate: Location. Location. Location.
Dale marched his soldiers upriver to prime acreage next to the James River and ordered his men to start building. He named this new city for his friend back in London, Prince Henry.
The city included the New World’s first English hospital: Mount Malady.
Photos of Mount Malady and its “Physic” herb garden from Facebook-Henricus Historical Park
Henricus Historical Park features a working farm, but we gave this area a wide berth after certain members of our pack barked rudely at the farm animals and resident cats.
As a thoroughly dog friendly park, dogs are invited to explore all of the historical buildings.
Pocahontas Was Here
In 1613, the English captured Pocahontas and brought her to Henricus where she was baptized and given the name Rebecca.
Engraving by Simon van de Passe, 1616. This is the only known representation made of Pocahontas during her lifetime.
Henricus Historical Park includes a re-created Arrohateck Indian site. Around 250 Arrohatecks, who were members of the Powhatan Confederacy, lived here before the English arrived.
Photo from Facebook | Henricus Historical Park, photographer Chris Beasley
Dutch Gap Conservation Area
341 Henricus Park Road, Chester
Adjacent to the Citie of Henricus, Dale worked to create a channel, or “Dutch Gap” that would provide a shortcut for river travel.
Map from Chesterfield.gov
The abundant wildlife at Dutch Gap provided the means for many native inhabitants and colonists to survive.
If you zoom in, you can see a deer up ahead on the trail.
Today, we know this place as the Dutch Gap Conservation Area and YouTuber Donte Hunter perfectly captures its character in this 44 second video.
On a scale from 1 to 10, recreation opportunities at Dutch Gap…well, these go to 11.
Even better, it’s all dog friendly!
Map from Chesterfield.gov
Dutch Gap’s Lagoon Water Trail includes sunken boats from a bygone era when a coal mine functioned here.
I Don’t Know Sports Grille
1920 W. Hundred Road, Chester
Where should we eat? I Don’t Know.
The enormous dog friendly seating area at the I Don’t Know Sports Grille made a great first impression.
We were also impressed with the dog friendly service which included a water bowl for each dog. We ordered the jalapeño poppers for an appetizer, the veggie pizza for Lisa’s main course, and the French dip for Mack. Everything received a thumbs up.
What’s the best dog friendly restaurant in Chesterfield County? I Don’t Know!
Chesterfield County Animal Services
9300 Public Works Road, Chesterfield
We were were in luck when we visited Chesterfield County Animal Services and met this happy Hound while he was out on his walk.
Click here to see all of the pups available for adoption at Chesterfield County Animal Services. Dogs are available to meet by appointment only. Want to help? See the Amazon Wish List.
Pocahantas State Park
10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield
With over 90 miles of trails and 3 lakes, it’s easy to spend all day, or maybe several days, at Pocahontas State Park, Virginia’s largest state park.
No need to BYO boat. Visitors can rent canoes and paddle boats.
We were also excited to visit the park’s dog friendly museum, but we arrived on a Friday when it was closed.
According to the museum’s website, the CCC museum is open on weekends but hours vary seasonally. Therefore, it’s best to call before your visit (804-796-4255) to check if the museum is open.
Photo from Facebook-Virginia State Parks
President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) during the Great Depression to combat unemployment. The young men working in the CCC built Virginia’s first state parks. They also laid the groundwork for Pocahontas State Park and constructed the building that now features the CCC museum.
LOVEworks
Hey! Look what we found.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, 11501 Robious Road, Richmond
River City Sportsplex, 13030 Genito Road, Midlothian
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, 11221 Hull Street, Midlothian
Bethia United Methodist Church, 10700 Winterpock Road, Chesterfield
Know before You Go
- To help plan your trip, see this road map of Chesterfield County which is part of the Greater Richmond Region.
- No worries about dog friendly places to stay in Chesterfield County. See BringFido for options. Also, Pocahontas State Park provides dog friendly cabins and lodges.
- Also, no worries about places to walk dogs. This county has so many trails.
Chesterfield County Trail Systems Map from Chesterfield.gov
- History buffs can visit several dog friendly Civil War sites in Chesterfield County.
- Chesterfield County has a Sonic Drive-in, our favorite fast food spot. We can eat with the pups in the car or outside at the covered picnic tables.
Jake at Sonic Drive-in, 12201 Bermuda Crossroad Lane, Chester
Road Trip Reads
These books added context for our visit and can be found on Audible for easy road trip listening.
Virginia’s native princess bridged the chasm between two cultures. This book provides us with a comprehensive picture of Pocahontas, her tribe, and the English colonists who changed the course of her life.
In this highly entertaining historical novel about the real life Kopp Sisters, the author weaves in details of an early 20th century Chesterfield County scandal that rocked the entire nation.
This books explains how the CCC shaped its young workers, the land, and history.
Roving through Virginia with Rover 
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