Stumpy Lake Natural Area
Stumpy Lake Natural Area is a park in Kempsville, Virginia Beach, best for bald cypress scenery, birding, easy forest hikes, kayak fishing.
More than 970 acres of undeveloped forest wrap around Stumpy Lake in the city's southwest corner, where bald cypress trees rise straight out of the water along the entrance causeway — the most photographed swamp scenery in Virginia Beach and the city's largest nightly cormorant roost. A figure-eight of soft trails (a 0.65-mile loop joined to a 1.0-mile loop) covers 1.65 miles of easy, well-marked walking through mixed deciduous and pine forest. A canoe/kayak launch near the causeway opens the lake itself to paddlers. Parking is genuinely limited — about a dozen car spaces — so early arrival matters on weekends.
- Free
- Hidden Gem
- Family Friendly
- Dog Friendly
- Fishing
- Walking Trails
Amenities
- 1.65 miles of soft figure-8 loop trails
- Bald cypress causeway views
- Canoe/kayak launch
- Fishing and birding
- Adjacent golf course
Know Before You Go
- Best for: bald cypress scenery, birding, easy forest hikes, kayak fishing
- Parking: Small gravel lot with spaces for about 12 cars and two trailers, off the Indian River Road causeway at Chesterbrook Drive. Fills on nice weekends.
- Accessibility: Trails are soft, unpaved forest paths; the causeway viewpoint is reachable by car. Limited accessibility infrastructure.
- Dogs: allowed — Dogs must be on a leash at all times, per city park rules.
- Location: Causeway off Indian River Rd at Chesterbrook Dr, southwest Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
Last verified 2026-07-10.
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While You're in the Area
17 Hands Coffee
Kempsville espresso bar and scratch bakery near Centerville Turnpike, with cakes, pies, and quiche, dog treats at the counter, and free parking.
- Outdoor Seating
- Free Parking
77 Coffeehouse
Regent University's campus coffeehouse, named for the school's 1977 founding class of 77 students, serving espresso and tea in the Dede Robertson Student Center.
Back Bay's Farmhouse Brewing Co.
Farmhouse taproom on Kempsville Road pouring both beer and cider, with big outdoor grounds, food trucks, an on-site market, and a coffee shop.
- Outdoor Seating
- Family Friendly
Bodega Cafe
Bodega-style cafe serving Cuban cafecito, a coconut Coco Loco Espresso, and Puerto Rican quesitos in a small, regulars-first space.
Buko Resto-Bar
Filipino-American restaurant and karaoke bar on South Independence Boulevard, serving Sizzling Sisig and Crispy Pata alongside DJ nights and pool tables.
- Open Late
C4 Coffee
Veteran-owned Kempsville cafe serving authentic Colombian coffee and empanadas alongside boba tea and made-to-order rolled ice cream.
Upcoming Events Nearby
Autumn in the Air
November 7, 2026 · annual
A newer addition to the city's Parks & Recreation calendar, this single-day fall festival takes over Mount Trashmore Park with folk, americana, and rock bands on an outdoor stage, food and drink for purchase, and activities scattered across the lakefront lawn. Now in its third year, it's grown into the city's answer to a proper autumn street festival without the Oceanfront crowds -- bring a lawn chair or blanket, since tents and large coolers aren't allowed in the event area. Free admission and parking make it an easy afternoon add for anyone already in Kempsville.
Santa's Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar
November 14, 2026 – November 22, 2026 · annual
Now in its 48th year, Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation's holiday craft bazaar splits across two weekends and two recreation centers: Princess Anne Recreation Center hosts November 14-15, then Kempsville Recreation Center takes over November 21-22. Crafters sell handmade items ranging from stocking stuffers to fine art at budget-friendly prices, with Saturday hours 9am-4pm and Sunday hours 10am-3pm each weekend. Admission and on-site parking are free at both locations, making it an easy holiday-shopping stop regardless of which side of the city you're on.
Mount Trashmore July 4th Celebration
July 4, 2027 · annual
Virginia Beach's inland Independence Day tradition fills Mount Trashmore Park -- the converted landfill hill that gives the park its name -- with live music, food trucks, and family activities before a fireworks show over the lake at 9:30pm. It's the free, low-key alternative to the Oceanfront's Stars & Stripes Celebration the same night, drawing families from the Kempsville and Town Center side of the city who'd rather skip beach traffic. Free admission and free parking, with the park's grassy hill doubling as a natural amphitheater for the fireworks.