Great Bridge Lock Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Great Bridge Lock Park is a popular recreational area located in Chesapeake, Virginia, near the North Carolina border.


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Summary

The park offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. Some of the good reasons to visit the park include its beautiful scenery, wide range of outdoor activities, and historical significance.

One of the main points of interest at Great Bridge Lock Park is the Great Bridge Locks, which played a crucial role in the American Revolution. The locks allowed ships to bypass the Great Dismal Swamp and transport goods up and down the Intracoastal Waterway. Visitors can explore the locks and learn about their history through interpretive exhibits and guided tours.

In addition to the locks, the park features several hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a playground. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and boating on the nearby Elizabeth River, which offers stunning views of the surrounding wetlands and wildlife.

One interesting fact about Great Bridge Lock Park is that it was established in 1971 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration of the American Revolution. The park serves as a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Great Bridge, which took place nearby in December 1775.

The best time of year to visit Great Bridge Lock Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. However, the park is open year-round and offers something for visitors in every season.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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