Submitted by ProximaCentauriB15 t3_1183mpd in rva
I used to see wild turtles all the time here as a kid,and want to know where people have seen some turtle friends. I just want to see/observe them. Im a reptile enthusiast with a love for turtles/tortoises. I think they're awesome. Any help RVA Reptile People?
Came here to mention this exact spot!
3 Lakes Park has them in abundance. A few were out last week.
Yes! We call it turtle town. Best place to see turtles
turtle town :) love it
I love going there! So glad someone else mentioned it first.
The lake at UR is teeming with turtles of several different types. Like “Jesus Christ enough already with the turtles” teeming.
Rockwood Park. At any of the waterside spots you’ll find some! We saw a couple hundred last spring sunning themselves.
That was March and it was like this in quite a lot of spots.
This is so cool!!!
I have so many pictures exactly like this from Rockwood!
We’ve probably passed at that very spot and not known 🤣 it’s one of my favorite spots to go walking.
Swan Lake in Byrd Park has a man-made float specifically for turtles (also has turtles)
Just about every creek the Capital Trail crosses.
The canal off Dock St.
If you have access to a kayak or a canoe, Four Mile Creek where it enters the river at Deep Bottom is usually turtle central.
As /u/thetariffof19892 points out, it’s still a bit cold to see them basking much.
A bunch live in the pond at the center of Forrest Hill Park, often they sit on the logs protruding from the pond but after a big rain you can find them all over the park since so much of it floods
Deep Run
Its still a bit cold to catch turtles running around like they do in the summer, but the lake at UR often has turtles basking on bits of wood sticking out of the water. The "eco-corridor" also should have a bunch other neat lizards and whatnot to spot too. But there are some snapping turtles so dont go sticking your fingers in anythings mouth
Swift Creek Reservoir and the lake in Pocohontas State Park both will have them in abundance as it warms up.
JRPS & FHP. I've seen 'em in the Forest Hill Park lake, on the Dogwood Dell trails, & Belle Isle among other places.
Here's one crossing the trail at Belle Isle near the shelter by first break rapids
It's also just barely their time of year to be out and about. Might still be bruminating. (the photo is from mid September)
Checkout @turtalert on IG for many local turts.
Osborne Park, specifically in the back while on the wooden walkway. There is a creek that runs under a section of it.
The innsbrook lakes have them
Lake Rooty has a lot. they also have floating logs, so if you like to watch turtles play "king of the hill" on floating logs, check it out. (Lake Rooty is in Innsbrook)
I always see them crossing the potterfield bridge, the non rapid side. Lots at Lewis ginter too. Just in any body of water generally!
I see them all the time crossing the T Pot from the Manchester side once it warms up a little. You can watch dozens hanging out on the rocks and wading in the shallows right after the gate to the climbing wall.
I call this Turtle Alley.
I see a lot of them on North Bank Trail behind Maymont Park, floating on logs in the canal.
i've seen some HUGE snapping turtles at dutch gap the few times i've been out there.
Rockwood park in Chesterfield on Courthouse.
You can find box turtles if you go hiking on the trails a little farther from the city. I was happy to see some since they’re threatened
I know,that makes me sad. I love them.
The Marymount Japanese gardens always have lots of turtles laying on the rocks and hanging out!
We get them in our yard a few times a year. Had one mom lay eggs even, that was fun to watch. Beyond that, always seem them in like every state park we visit that has lakes.
At crump park, in the pond just in the woods (not the bigger one where ppl fish, at least not from my experience) on sunny days!
We have a ton at Echo lake in Glen Allen! It's fun to walk around the lake and spot all of them hanging out on logs.
I've seen tortoises on the Richmond Slave Trail! Though I'm guessing they inhabit most any riverside trail in RVA.
The pond at the Japanese Garden in Maymont is teaming with them, as is the canal along the Northbank Trail behind the Japanese Garden.
In the past from about late March to mid April babies start hatching around Swan and Byrd Lake. My daughter loves seeing all the silver dollar sized babies resting in the shallows along the banks.
Happy turtle hunting :)
I saw about 8 lined up on a log at one of the Bryan Park ponds the other day.
Wetlands and pony pasture are a must, especially when snappers are breeding. I’ve had really good luck at Bryan park, Both types of sliders there in abundance. Hit me up if you want to go herping together, I go at least a few times a week
There are almost always turtles sitting on logs or chilling in the water off the potterfield memorial bridge. If you want and look down from above you can see them sunbathing, sometimes as many as 10-15 of them. Because it is still kinda cold, they may not be around rn, but def in early spring
All known species of turtles are considered indicator species (aka sentinel species) which means that their abundance, distribution, and health in the ecosystem are reflective of overall environmental conditions. So maybe the lack of turtles means an unhealthy and unstable local ecosystem?
There used to be a domesticated turtle that would walk around Strawberry St
Oh really? Thats kinda cool haha
yeah he was like seeing a neighborhood cat lol
The canal that runs along the trail behind Maymont is full of turtles.
I see a bunch at Bryan Park when I walk my dog.
I was thrown off by the idea of wild turtles. As opposed to domesticated turtles, I guess?
yeah
Byrd park - lots of them live to sunbath on logs in Swan Lake on the north side of it near Lakeview ave
Belle isle, browns island, Texas Beach and Forrest hill park I always see turtles out in the rocks and water especially as it gets warmer :)
Walking along buttermilk along the may mount fence line. They’re normally sunbathing on driftwood
Pocahontas State Park, kayaking. Tons and tons of turtles in a protected habitat.
I always see a bunch of the homies poking their heads out of the water at Fountain lake. I even watched one walk across the grass into the water
I lived in N Chesterfield & found one as a kid. Me & some cousins kept him for a few days then let him go. Also spotted 2 or 3 in Chester when I lived there. Both about 30-40 mins from the city.
James river by belle isle i see them on rocks near the river
I helped one cross the road out in Highland Springs.
Is someone foraging again?
I would never eat a turtle.
Thanks everyone,no idea there were so many places they like
I was once told of the mud turtle trade that goes on at red house.
Tons of them at Tuckahoe Creek Park.
I'm seen a ton in the Quarry Pond on Belle Isle. Everyone else has listed a lot of good places as well for good turtle watching. Go and venture forth and enjoy your herpetology hobby!
I've also seen some really big snappers on Belle, even chilling on the trails sometimes.
Same here! I love seeing all the different wild life on Belle.
Just about any retention pond in the area will have them. The one by the old Circuit City HQ used to have a big snapper that liked to sun itself on the road, there were a few occasions where I had to pick that big thing up and move it so it wouldn't end up a speed bump. It's been years, but I hope it's still doing OK...
...side note, if you don't know how to handle snapping turtles, don't pick them up, they have an incredibly long range and will bite you...
Forest Hill Pond
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GeneralAgrippa t1_j9f8ez2 wrote
I've always seen them on the south side of the Potterfield Bridge when I walk it.