Great Shiplock Park & Chapel Island

Great Shiplock Park

Great Shiplock Park is located along the Kanawha Canal and offers great views of the Richmond, Virginia skyline. This park underwent a major renovation in 2013 and is the trailhead for the Virginia Capital Trail

CSX Train Viaduct

A CSX train runs along the CSX Railroad viaduct as it passes through the Great Shiplock Park. The Great Shiplock Park is one of the many public parks in the James River Park System, in Richmond, Virginia

Bare Reflections

Fall foliage is reflected in the Kanawha Canal at the Great Shiplock Park in Richmond, Virginia. The Great Shiplock park is the western trailhead for the 52 mile Virginia Capital Trail.

Old Locks

The historic Great Lock at Great Shiplock Park remains in place. This lock was builting the 1850's and at one point ships passed from the Kanawha Canal to the James River to bypass the Falls of the James, in Richmond, Virginia

Chapel Island Sunset

Trees hang over the north banks of the James River at Chapel Island at the Great Shiplock Park in Richmond, Virginia. Chapel Island is west of Great Shiplock Park. One must take the footbridge across the canal to this shaded and quieter location of the James River Park System.

Reaching For The River

Old trees along the south banks of the James River have grown outward as though the brances are reaching for the river at Chapel Island

City Reflections

Reflections at Great Shiplock Park

The fall foliage on the trees at Great Shiplock Park are glowing from the evening sun, and casting a reflection in the Kanawha Canal in Richmond, Virginia

Canal Tours

Great Lock

The Lock at the Great Shiplock Park was built in the 1850's. This lock connected the the James River with the Richmond Dock, completing the James River and Kanawha Canal system. When it was in use it allowed ships to bypass the Falls of the James in Richmond, Virginia. The Great Shiplock Park is now a part of the James River Park System, where people can fish, bike and hike. It is also the trailhead for the Virginia Capital Trail.

Fall Foliage at Great Shiplock Park

The Great Shiplock Park is a location in the James River Park System, in Richmond, Virginia. The park is the trailhead for the Virginia Capital Trail; and offers hiking, biking and fishing off Chapel Island. The Great Lock was built in the 1850's, and it was the last lock that completed the connection from the Kanawha Canal to the James River.