Bensley Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bensley Park is a beautiful outdoor recreation area located in Chesterfield County, Virginia.


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Summary

There are several reasons why visitors should consider a trip to this park, such as its numerous points of interest, its interesting history, and the wide range of activities available.

Some specific points of interest at Bensley Park include its many hiking and biking trails, its large playground, and its beautiful picnic areas. The park also features a large fishing lake, which is stocked with a variety of fish species. Additionally, there are several historic structures on the property, including the Bensley Mansion, which was once home to a wealthy tobacco farmer.

One interesting fact about Bensley Park is that it was once the site of a Civil War encampment. During the war, the property was used by Confederate soldiers as a base of operations, and there are still several remnants of their encampment that can be seen today.

The best time of year to visit Bensley Park depends on a variety of factors, including the weather and the specific activities that visitors are interested in. In general, however, the park is busiest during the summer months, when the weather is warm and visitors can take advantage of all the outdoor activities that the park has to offer.

       

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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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