Description
The Mariners’ Park is 550 acres of privately maintained, naturally wooded property that surrounds the 167-acre Mariners’ Lake. The Park is one of the largest privately-owned parks that is free and open to the public year-round.
Following the shoreline of Mariners’ Lake is the five-mile natural surface Noland Trail, dedicated as a gift from the Noland Family in 1991. With the family’s significant ongoing financial support, the Trail has fourteen bridges offering nice vantage points for birding and wildlife viewing, benches at approximately every half-mile, and is well-marked with mile markers. Views of Mariners’ Lake can be found around every corner. Birders will enjoy possible sightings of diverse bird species including woodpeckers, woodland songbirds, wading birds, bald eagles, migrating warblers, and wintering waterfowl. Holly Tree Overlook, The Mariners’ Museum Multipurpose Trail, Loop Road Trail, and Meadow Path are fully accessible and accessible bathrooms are available in the Museum building. Detailed accessibility information is available here.
The famous Lions Bridge, a dam that provides a breathtaking view of the James River, remains a scenic highlight for visitors. The beauty of the dam is enhanced by several fine pieces of statuary designed by Anna Hyatt Huntington, sculptor, and wife of Museum founder Archer Milton Huntington. Four stone lions were mounted on the ends of the parapets of the dam in October 1932. Anna also created and dedicated a monument entitled “Conquering the Wild” that overlooks the Lions Bridge, the Park, and Mariners’ Lake.
Wildlife Sightings
194 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at The Mariners’ Museum Park:
- Canada Goose
- Mallard
- Ring-necked Duck
- Hooded Merganser
- Mourning Dove
- Ring-billed Gull
- Pied-billed Grebe
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great Blue Heron
- Osprey
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Mar 2026 | 30 | Anonymous eBirder |
| 4 Mar 2026 | 30 | Anonymous eBirder |
| 18 Feb 2026 | 48 | Jacob Jones |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 52 | Jacob Jones |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 32 | Sharon Burton |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
Other Amenities: Hiking Trails, Visitor/Nature Center
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 100 Museum Dr, Newport News, VA 23606
From I-64 in Williamsburg, take exit 258-A. Travel 2.5 miles to the intersection of Warwick Blvd. and J. Clyde Morris Blvd. (Avenue of the Arts). Continue straight through the intersection and take your first left onto Museum Drive, the Museum entrance is directly ahead.
From I-664 North, take the 35th Street exit and merge to Warwick Blvd. Follow Warwick Blvd. to the J. Clyde Morris (Avenue of the Arts) intersection and turn left onto Avenue of the Arts. Take your first left onto Museum Drive, the Museum entrance is directly ahead
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Park is Free and Open Daily, Fee for the Museum
Contact Information:
- (757) 591-7741, edeale@MarinersMuseum.org
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.