Mount Trashmore Park

From Trash to Treasure

Mount Trashmore Park stretches across 165 acres, featuring its namesake Mount Trashmore - a 60-foot high, 800-foot long mountain with an unusual origin story. What was once a landfill has been cleverly transformed through compacted layers of solid waste and clean soil into one of Virginia Beach's most distinctive green spaces.

The park actually has two man-made mountains (the smaller one aptly named Encore Hill) and two lakes. Lake Windsor contains brackish water fed by Thalia Creek, while Lake Trashmore is freshwater and home to various fish species that seem perfectly content with their recycled-landscape home.

Get Moving

Feel like fishing? You can cast a line from Lake Trashmore's shore - just remember to bring your Virginia freshwater fishing license. The park's network of walking and biking paths lets you choose your own adventure, with the perimeter trail stretching a satisfying 1.95 miles.

What we love about these trails is that they're punctuated with exercise stations and workout equipment, turning a simple walk into a full-body workout if you're feeling ambitious. The paths are wide and paved, giving plenty of room for joggers, walkers, and cyclists to coexist without constantly dodging each other.

Kid Paradise

If you've got little ones in tow, you're in luck. The park has two excellent playgrounds, including the massive Kids Cove playground covering nearly 26,000 square feet. This isn't your average swing-and-slide setup - it's designed for children of all abilities, complete with wheelchair swings and other accessible equipment.

Kids Cove features a safety-focused rubberized surface and plenty of climbing structures and slides. There's also a newer hillside playground connected to Kids Cove that takes advantage of the mountain's natural slope, with slides built right into the hillside. It's a creative play space that might make you wish you were a kid again.

Skater's Dream

The 24,000-square-foot skate park attracts skateboarding enthusiasts of all levels. With a two-level half pipe, various ramps, and grind rails, there's something for skaters of all skill levels.

Right next to it stands an impressive vert ramp towering 13.5 feet tall and stretching 40 feet wide - definitely not for the faint of heart, but a thrilling challenge for experienced skaters who want to test their limits.

Green Thinking

The park has environmental benefits beyond its recreational offerings. Check out the water-wise garden showcasing xeriscaping techniques that need minimal irrigation, highlighting the park's commitment to sustainable landscaping.

Make sure to climb to the summit of Mount Trashmore for panoramic views of Virginia Beach - it's especially popular for kite flying when the breeze picks up. On clear days, the vista stretching out below is a reminder of just how remarkably this landscape has been transformed.

Gather Round

Looking for a picnic spot? Take your pick from numerous shelters and tables scattered within the grounds. There are designated grilling areas for cookouts, and you can reserve many of the sheltered pavilions for gatherings.

The generous open green spaces welcome impromptu blanket picnics and casual get-togethers. These areas really come alive during the park's community events and festivals that happen all year long.

Bring Your Furry Friends

Dog owners, rejoice - your leashed pets are welcome here. You'll discover pet waste stations along the walking paths, making cleanup hassle-free. The trails and open spaces have become something of a social hub for dog owners, so your pup might make some new friends too.

With over a million visitors annually, Mount Trashmore Park is one of Virginia Beach's most visited outdoor spaces. Its unusual topography, diverse recreational offerings, and environmental consciousness make it a unique park experience.