Mount Trashmore Park

Mount Trashmore Park is an amazing urban park located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. Its uniqueness lies in its origin: it is a striking example of the successful conversion of a former landfill into a thriving recreational zone, a favorite destination for both locals and tourists.

The park spans 165 acres (about 67 hectares) and offers a variety of opportunities for both active and quiet leisure. Here you will find two scenic man-made hills, two lakes, modern playgrounds for children, as well as a popular skate park and a vertical ramp for extreme sports fans. It is a place where everyone can find something to do, whether it's a picnic on the grass, a walk along the lake, or skateboarding.

The park's main landmark is its largest hill, which locals sometimes compare to a green volcano. It stands over 60 feet (about 18 meters) high and is 800 feet (approximately 240 meters) long. Remarkably, this man-made hill is the highest point in the entire city of Virginia Beach, offering beautiful views of the surrounding area.

Visiting Mount Trashmore Park is not only an opportunity to enjoy nature and outdoor activities but also to see an impressive result of environmental stewardship and innovative urban planning. This place demonstrates how seemingly unusable land can be given a second life, turning it into an oasis for relaxation and entertainment.

For the most up-to-date information about Mount Trashmore Park, including operating hours, upcoming events, and visitor guidelines, you can refer to the following resources:

At Mount Trashmore Park, visitors can enjoy many opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure. For picnic enthusiasts, there are numerous shelters: three large, two medium, and six small, where you can comfortably settle in with family or friends. Children will love the playgrounds, and for fans of team sports, there are four volleyball courts. Naturally, the park has all the necessary infrastructure, including parking, vending machines with drinks and snacks, and restrooms.

One of the park's main attractions is its picturesque walking trails. Visitors can choose a path based on their preference and fitness level: the Perimeter Trail is 3.14 km (1.95 miles) long and encircles the entire park; the Lake Trail is 2.33 km (1.45 miles) long and runs along the water; and the Mountain Trail, at 2.09 km (1.30 miles), leads to the summits of the man-made hills. For those wanting a longer walk, the Lake and Mountain trails can be combined into a single 4.43 km (2.75 mile) route, allowing you to enjoy the park's diverse landscapes.

In addition to walking and active games, fishing is permitted in the park's two lakes, attracting fans of this peaceful activity. It is no surprise that since its opening in the 1970s, Mount Trashmore Park has consistently remained the most popular park in Virginia Beach. It attracts over a million visitors annually, highlighting its importance for both locals and visitors looking for a place to relax in nature.

Mount Trashmore Park is conveniently located about eight miles west of downtown Virginia Beach. Thanks to its location within the city limits, the park can be reached in several ways, making it easily accessible for visitors.

The most common way to get to the park is by personal car. Good access roads and on-site parking make this a convenient option. If you are in the center of Virginia Beach, the drive will take very little time, depending on traffic conditions.

While specific public transport routes may vary, given the popularity of Mount Trashmore Park and its location in a major city, it is highly likely that it can be reached by city buses. It is recommended to check current routes and schedules on the official Virginia Beach transit service website or use online maps to plan your trip.

Additionally, you can always use taxis or popular ridesharing services. A trip from downtown Virginia Beach or nearby areas will be quick and comfortable, taking you right to the park entrance.

The history of Mount Trashmore Park dates back to a challenging period for the city of Virginia Beach. In the early 1970s, the city faced a severe household waste disposal problem. The site where the park now stands was originally an ordinary landfill that stopped accepting waste after 1971. However, instead of leaving the area abandoned, an innovative decision was made: the massive pile of garbage was carefully compacted and covered with a layer of fertile soil, laying the foundation for a future green oasis.

The grand opening of Mount Trashmore Park took place in 1973, an event that was significant not only for Virginia Beach but for the whole world. The park received the honorary status of the world's first recreational space built on the site of a former landfill. The impressive hill, which became the park's central feature, hides about 640,000 tons of compressed waste beneath its green cover—a clear testament to the successful transformation of a problem into an asset.

The origin of the park's name, "Mount Trashmore," is quite curious. It was initially an informal nickname given to the site by locals during the construction phase. The name is a clever play on words referencing the famous Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, but with an obvious nod to the hill's "trash" past. Despite its humorous origin, the nickname stuck and became so beloved by residents that it eventually became the official name of this unique park in the USA.

A funny, albeit alarming, story is also associated with Mount Trashmore Park. In 1992, local radio host Henry Del Toro decided to play an April Fool's prank on his listeners. He announced on air that Mount Trashmore was about to explode due to methane buildup beneath its surface. The joke had an unexpected effect: numerous calls flooded 911, worried parents kept their children indoors, and some residents even rushed to evacuate the area. Although the alarm turned out to be false, three hollow flagpoles were installed in the park following the incident to serve as vents for any potential gases.

When planning a visit to Mount Trashmore Park, consider how much time you want to spend relaxing and which activities you prefer. For a general introduction to the park, a leisurely stroll along one of its scenic trails—around the lake or the perimeter—and to enjoy the views from the top of the hill, you might need about 1-2 hours. This will be enough time to appreciate the uniqueness of the site and take some photos.

If you are planning a more active visit, your stay could be significantly longer. For example, if you want to have a picnic in one of the designated areas, play volleyball, spend time with children at the playgrounds, or go fishing in one of the lakes, you should set aside half a day or even more. Skateboarders and extreme sports enthusiasts can also spend several hours at the skate park and on the vertical ramp.

Thus, the duration of your visit to Mount Trashmore Park is very flexible and depends entirely on your interests and plans. Some may stick to a short, refreshing walk, while others will spend most of the day here enjoying all the amenities this amazing park in Virginia Beach has to offer.

Mount Trashmore Park is happy to welcome visitors year-round. According to available information, the park is open seven days a week from 7:30 AM until sunset. Closing time varies depending on the season and daylight hours, so we recommend taking this into account when planning an evening visit.

For general walks and visits to Mount Trashmore Park, advance ticket booking or special registration is usually not required, as entry is typically free. However, if you are interested in participating in organized events, renting picnic pavilions, or sports courts, it is best to check the conditions and potential need for a reservation in advance. The most up-to-date information on these matters can be found on the park's official website or by contacting the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Department.

A visit to Mount Trashmore Park is undoubtedly a highlight of any trip to Virginia Beach. However, to make your experience even more complete and diverse, it is worth exploring the surrounding area. There are many other interesting places near the park that can enrich your itinerary in this welcoming city in the USA.

Exploring nearby attractions will allow you to dive deeper into the atmosphere of Virginia Beach and discover new facets of this popular resort, whether through shopping centers, cozy restaurants, or other entertainment venues. Below is a list of some interesting places located near Mount Trashmore Park, along with the distance to each.