4⭐️ After coming here A LOT last year and getting lost a few times here, I really love this park. They do the summer camp stuff, cabins, paddle boats, a dog park, jungle gym, and outdoor bird sanctuary. It’s a really nice park. Highly recommend to people looking for easy flat trails.

I love this reserve! The playground can be better. The on-site camping, the kayak and paddle boat rentals are fun and super affordable and the shelters range in sizes and prices, but are clean and easy to access. There are several trail paths to choose from and best of all the scenery is peaceful and beautiful! Im not sure why rocks and stones were added on the trail, I find it a nuisance to have to dodge rocks during a run. Great for early morning and evening walks!

Amazing dog park! Lots of shade, water provided, and plenty of tenis balls laying about! My dog and I had a wonderful time escaping the heat in the amazing canopy of trees here along with a small view of the water! What a great gem to have found so close to home! We will certainly be frequent visitors now!

Nice park with plenty of parking and has a visitor center. Enjoyed walking along the lake shore. Was short on time but would like to walk around the lake next time

So beautiful, quiet and CLEAN! Even the restroom was spotless. There's plenty of parking, lots to see, lakeside seats, children's play areas and lots of shade.

The park was nice with great views! There was a serious lack of information about how the camping in the park worked. For anyone wanting to camp at the park: 1. It is first come first serve but you have to check in at the nature center first. That's means you have to make it there before they close at 4 pm , and they pick your campsite for you. 2. If you end up with Campsite 1 like I did, it is RIGHT next to the trail and you end up like a zoo animal, being observed by all of the other park patrons who are walking, jogging or cycling by on the trail. 3. They lockup the park pretty good after sunset. So having some temporary guests come over to chill around the fire pit with you is not a thing. 4. They have a nice fire pit and some wood was provided and plenty was laying around. (Although pretty damp) 5. No alcohol is allowed and the fires are supposed to be out by 10:30pm.

I really enjoyed walking here. So beautiful. In the lot you park at there is also a bathroom. and throughout the trails are trashcans and places to sit down and rest or eat at picnic tables. Very enjoyable. The trails are mainly gravel or impacted sand or dirt.

A great place for photography. Lots of nice trails, saw several eagles and an egret on a very cold and windy day. There is an observation tower to view the wildlife. Also has a really nice shaded picnic area, campground and yurts and boat rentals. There were some bugs by the water, so may be buggy in the warmer weather.

From a hotel Near City Center, Newport News, I took a free afternoon to visit the park. This is a delightful park. I went hiking for over an hour. I could’ve hiked longer because there were more trails. I saw two Bald eagles. There were lots of people here at the park, but I did not feel it was crowded. I passed several people on the trails, but the trails were not crowded. I saw no litter anywhere. Great place to unplug for awhile!

Taking walks in the Morning is the best. The people are nice and they speak. You can walk on the outside of the park or walk in the trail's in the woods. Yes there's a public bathroom.

An excellent place to learn about the animals and reptiles in the area. Along with several nature walks. They have a doggie park for unleashed playtime

Wonderful trails both big and small for easy hiking. Lots of birds and turtles to watch. Very knowledge and friendly staff. Dog park is nice and very dog friendly. Use caution.... Alligator Snaping Turtle in lake.

Nice little small park located in the city of Hampton, VA. If you live nearby the park you can enjoy the beauty of the park, have a place for the kids to play, go fishing, walk, ride bike, or relax. Many different wildlife. I wasn’t a fan of the park, trials not clearly marked, right off interstate you can hear and see cars depending on what trail you are walking. Has a dog park, public restrooms and a lot of parking spots.

Nice trails, nature center, restrooms, playground for the kids, fishing spots. Plenty to see inside and outside. Nature center isn't very big but they have quite a few snakes and reptiles. Lots of stuffed animals to look at. You can rent paddle boats and kayaks. Camping also available but it's all primitive. We don't primitive...did enough of that during deployments...gotta have my double high air mattress 😁. Anyway. The entire family enjoyed walkg the trails and checking out the turtles.

Lots of room to roam. Plenty of trails. A good sized dog park (but very muddy so be prepared.) There are even yurts for rent! The lakes are beautiful and the smallest one is FULL of turtles. I’ve never seen so many turtles in my life. At least a couple hundred if you go down to the bridge at the end of the path that bisects the lake. Will definitely be back for more exploring and maybe some camping too.

My favorite park in the area. Highly recommended for a sweet, simple, and relaxing hike. I would go again for sure! There weren't any mosquitoes which is a plus. The lake was clean and clear 👍

Absolutely beautiful Nature Park! I grew up walking all the trails and playing at the park. Back then it was fun and now as an adult it still was great! The information center is super clean and has several local animals on display. There are at least 8 trails you can explore. A lot of the trails connect to each other and it is fun to explore them as you pass by. The information center has nice maps you can grab to avoid getting lost. There were all sorts of people on the trails. There were families with kids, couples, runners, and people with dogs. Most of the main trails are smooth enough that people were pushing babies in strollers.

Our favorite place to take our German Shepards Sasha, Sadie and Sammie for a walk. So beautiful this time of year with leaves changing. A must park to ad to your bucket list.

One of the best parks in Hampton roads! Beautiful trails for bikes, walking and running. Cute campsites, boating on the lake, and an awesome playground for the littles. Hard to beat for a place to walk on a hot day, the shade makes it tolerable. Highly recommend.

Great place gor a walk or run of up to 5 miles, and dog friendly. :-)

I absolutely love this place!! This walk was great. My family enjoyed the wildlife and especially the turtles. I was in awe when I saw that they rent out Yurts. Like amazing. We have a beautiful time....and there is alot of shade. They have the benches and other seating in various parts of the trail...that was very convenient. There only fault is that the rocks on the trail were murder....even for a $85 pair of good sneakers. But I was thankful that we didn't see any snakes....hey when you are in the woods....your on mother nature's territory.

Rented a john boat for the day. The attendant at the front desk was very helpful and kind.

Awesome place to take the kids for a walk. Lots of cool wildlife.

Very nice trail's. Love the boats. Bathroom are clean

A little run down with some abandoned areas however great selection of trails which are all very beautiful. Bark Park Pass is a little too expensive for what it is. Most of the staff is polite.

Place is pretty nice for the first time. I love the marsh trail. I actually got lost in the woods here a few years ago. Although when you come here so often it gets so boring. People at the nature center are nice, I appreciate the vending machines but sometimes they don't work. It's okay ☺️

Super clean and relaxing

Usually really enjoy going to this park, however, today was less than enjoyable. Saw a dead Bearded Dragon on the trail. Took my dog to the Dog Park and I had forgotten my tag at home, the park ranger (his name was Conrad) was extremely rude which was unwarranted. Telling me if he ever saw me there again I’d be going to court for trespassing. Needless to say I’d rather drive the extra time to Newport News park and I will not be renewing my membership. Rude park rangers, upkeep has fallen. Disappointing experience over all.

I love the paddle boating here. It is perfect for social distancing with your family. Great walks and beautiful views! Staff is very friendly and informative!

Nice park, a little busy.

Nice little nature park, with inside a busy city. Though many of the trails the day I went were closed due to flooding. It is still a nice place to get exercise and get away from the hustle and bustle. If you're not careful you can get 9 plus miles within the premises. Also on a side note, I would like to know who walked 2 mi or decided to go over a ditch that was 50 ft wide by 20 ft deep the dump tires at the farthest point in the park. That requires more energy than calling the city to pick them up.

Great place to rent a kayak for the day. The yurts are in good condition and make great starter camp outs. Large walking paths with nice shade. The bathrooms are clean. The staff is friendly.

Pretty much everything you could ask for in a city park. Lots of trails, very well maintained.

Always a great place to go on walks or take pictures, great for all ages and they even have a dog park! Along with a regular play ground for the kiddos. Lastly at their welcome center they have a display of snakes and other reptiles to look at and you can rent a paddle/row boat!

Wonderful nature park in the area. Trail and recreational areas to bring family.

Great park. Almost completely covered in shade. Has a nice big dog park. License required annually but it's worth it. Very big park with lots of trails and plenty other ammeneties

These images are from 2012 when I was stationed in Norfolk. This park was such a wonderful place to visit. I would escape and just enjoy nature for some one on one time. I would put in my headphones and just relax.

We love Sandy Bottom! What a beautiful place to come and enjoy a walk in the shade with your family and your fur babies! The paths are very well maintained and they keep the park very clean. There is a nice little dog park for socializing and picnic tables in shady areas. There are beautiful water views and places to go canoeing. It's a relaxing and refreshing spot very close to home to enjoy nature and get a little exercise. Wholesome fun for the entire family!

We had a great experience kayaking on Crystal Lake. The park associate who helped us tonight was kind and explained their permit program. She also showed us a couple other lakes available to kayak and fish on. We will definitely be coming back and enjoying this park many more times to come.

There is a short bike/walking trail. It is dirt or gravel. There are 2 observing towers. In the back of the ponds is a platform where the turtles hang out. So far the lake is off limits.

My pup and I had a paw-some time at this amazing dog park! It was definitely my favorite park in the area. Highly recommended for a sweet, simple, and relaxing hike. So beautiful! The on-site camping, kayak and paddle boat rentals were fun and super affordable, and the shelters had a range of sizes and prices, but were all clean and easy to access. And the lot we parked in had a bathroom, too! Plus, there were trashcans and places to sit or eat at picnic tables throughout the trails, and lots of shade, water, and tennis balls! It was a great way to escape the heat in the wonderful canopy of trees, with a nice view of the water.

I really love this place ... I go on walks here as much as possible... the staff are all amazing as well as the welcome center with the critters is a must see. This is definitely a must see hidden gem... a 40 year native of the area and I never knew .... look it up and see how it came to be here , you won't be disappointed

Sandy Bottom is the ideal place to walk, think, talk, and enjoy nature. Trail options service those who want to spend twenty minutes or an hour and a half taking in the scenery. I've been to several pavillion birthday parties, and the park was the perfect locale! Water sports, playground, varied types of trails, and plenty of wildlife.

The shaded trails are amazing. We had a really good family-time morning.

Love this park it's one of my favorites ❤ 💙 💕 😍 ♥ it is great for family events! Really relaxing place & you can even camp over the weekend if you would like....

Very nice park. Great nature center. Lots of trails, both walking and trail bike. Boat rentals, picnic areas... Check out their website at Hampton.gov.

Pretty scenery and great pictures. Um I couldnt find a public bathroom so left early. But it is free. Just a.memership fpr dpg park i think is 10. Flyers and info outside of visitor center. Visitor center closed

Nice place to sit and eat lunch

Lots of fun if you like the outdoors

Peaceful

You will feel very safe

Great place to walk full of shady trees family friendly

great place to chill

Beautiful

Clean safe

Bummer no swimming and can't bring your own craft But great family fun and Nature sites!

Went to visit with my girlfriend down from NY. Nice trail for jogs or hikes. Didn't care for the gravel paved trail around lake, but for a city park, 🌟 5 stars

Nice brisk walk🚶🚶🚶 nothing but shade 👍🏽

Great Pokemon Go spot!

Excellent place for walking, running or cycling (even fishing)

Nice park to visit for fun and exercise

My kids love this place. Great family oriented low cost hang out spot.

Never been there

Did not like the gravel paved track

Finally got to go in the john boats!!! Awesome price for a half day. Caught 5 BIG catfish and 1 bass.

I love Sandy Bottom. Every time I’m there I ask myself, “why don’t I visit more often?” Quick way to get in touch with nature. Highway traffic noise is the only downside.

Awesome

So many different trails! I love this little gem!!

Beautiful place

Only saw a small part but nice place to visit. Will be back!

Was a nice place. Take a little while to find the trail we were looking for.