Three Lakes Park & Nature Center

Three Lakes Nature Center is Open!

You can follow Three Lakes and Henrico Recreation & Parks on social media to see updates and more content. 

There will also be an Animal Care e-newsletter generated quarterly starting soon! Get signed up today.  

Three Lakes Nature Center connects the Henrico community with the past, present, and future of Virginia’s Native ecosystems. Exhibits include live animal enclosures, interactive displays that encourage touch and listening, digital signage, and rotating exhibits curated by the animal care staff. 

Exhibits

Virginia’s Prehistoric Past
Meet some of the giant ice age mammals that once called Virginia home! Learn about the fossils they’ve left behind, and what animals bridge the past to the present through their ancient ancestors in deep time!

Extraordinary ecosystems in your backyard!
Get to know some of the incredible cold-blooded species that live in Virginia, and peer into the living ecosystems created within their bioactive enclosures! Interactive displays teach about nocturnal animals and the local ecology of life in and around our freshwater lakes. Rotating exhibits curated by the staff will ensure there is always something new to see!

Nature Center Sensory Experience
For guests with sensory needs, sensory bags are available to check out at the Nature Center’s front desk. Bags are free to check out and contain helpful tools to create a sensory-friendly visit. We hold a photo ID when you check out the bag and return it when the bag is returned at the end of your visit.

Continued Renovations for 2026!

The outdoor 50,000-gallon aquarium is currently undergoing renovations and will showcase a variety of Virginia native freshwater fish species when it reopens. Stay tuned for updates!

Phase 2 of the nature center’s renovation project is scheduled for completion in 2026. This will include the reopening of two renovated exhibit halls that will highlight some of the misunderstood and threatened native species found in Virginia. 

Pet Policy
Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), only service dogs that are trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities are permitted inside the nature center. Personal pets are prohibited for the health and safety of humans and animals. The nature center is unable to accept surrendered pets. Please contact the closest animal rescue organization or animal shelter for resources.

Injured wildlife
If you find injured or orphaned wildlife, please do not bring them to the nature center. The staff are not trained or licensed by the state of Virginia to conduct wildlife rehabilitation. Please dial the Department of Wildlife Resources wildlife conflict helpline at 1-855-571-9003.

Learn more from the links provided:
Identifying Injured & Orphaned Wildlife
Find A Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator
How to Prevent or Resolve Conflict with Wildlife