These are the 12 Virginia State Parks you should visit to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the park system.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of Virginia State Parks. For generations, the parks have welcomed Virginians looking to immerse themselves in nature, serving as ideal destinations for both daytrippers and serious outdoor adventurers. Spread throughout the commonwealth from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Cumberland Gap, the parks offer something for everyone.
Out of the 44 state parks in Virginia, here are the top 12 definitely worth visiting.
Coastal Virginia
1. First Landing State Park
Location: 2500 Shore Dr., Virginia Beach
Travel back in time with a trip to First Landing State Park, the site where English colonists first landed in 1607. Throughout the years, many ships have traveled the park’s waterways, including military vessels during the War of 1812. The park was partially built by the African American Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1940; the park is listed as a National Natural Landmark.
The park can be explored via its 20 miles of trails. Make sure you stop by the 1.5 miles of sandy beach frontage along the Chesapeake Bay. Along your walk or hike, you’ll likely see bald cypress swamps, lagoons, and maritime forests.
Visitors can stay overnight in a cabin, yurt, or tent. The 2,888-acre park is open from 7 a.m. until dusk.
2. Kiptopeke State Park
Location: 3540 Kiptopeke Dr., Cape Charles
Located on the Eastern Shore, the 562-acre Kiptopeke State Park offers access to the Chesapeake Bay. With it comes an assortment of migratory birds that stop at the park along the Atlantic flyway.
Guests can keep busy boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking or biking along the 5.1 miles of trails. Nature and history programs are offered Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Those planning to stay overnight can pick from cabins, lodges, camping tents, yurts, and a bunkhouse.
The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Central Virginia
3. Pocahontas State Park
Location: 10301 State Park Rd., Chesterfield
Richmond residents will surely enjoy escaping 20 miles outside the city to the 7,919-acre Pocahontas State Park, where outdoor recreation is plentiful.
The park offers boating and fishing on various lakes, including the 225-acre Swift Creek Lake, 90 miles of trails, picnicking, and an Aquatic Center with a toddler pool, foundation wet deck, and tubular water slides.
Pack in some learning by visiting the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, a tribute to the Depression-era workers who helped establish the state park system. Concerts and family-friendly entertainment can also be enjoyed in the 2,000-seat amphitheater.
The park is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
4. High Bridge Trail State Park
Location: 1466 Camp Paradise Rd., Rice
Once a rail bed, the 32.2-mile crushed limestone High Bridge Trail State Park is the perfect park for those looking to go hiking, bicycling, or horseback riding. Don’t miss the iconic High Bridge, which stretches 2,400 feet across and 125 feet above the Appomattox River, making it the longest recreational bridge in the commonwealth.
Efforts to establish the park started when Norfolk Southern Railway Co. donated 31 miles of abandoned railroad to the commonwealth in 2006.
Historical and environmental education programming is regularly offered at the park, so check out the events page to see what’s happening before you go.
The park is open from sunrise to dusk.
Northern Virginia
5. Sky Meadows State Park
Location: 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane
Spanning 1,860 acres on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sky Meadows State Park offers rolling hills, woodlands, and plenty of scenic views. The park is a historic farm that offers visitors a glimpse into the farming practices used in the Crooked Run Valley from colonial through modern times.
The park has plenty of trails, including 22 miles of hiking trails and 9 miles of bike trails. It also offers primitive hike-in camping. Try the self-guided tree identification hike on Snowden Trail.
The park has an International Dark Sky Park designation, making it ideal for amateur astronomers and stargazers. Several monthly astronomy programs are also held, allowing visitors to view deep space objects through telescopes.
Programs that focus on the history, natural diversity, and agriculture of the valley are also held March through December.
The park is open from 8 a.m. until dusk.
6. Leesylvania State Park
Location: 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge
Leesburg State Park has a long and storied history. Situated along the shore of the Potomac River, it was home to Native Americans for thousands of years. Capt. John Smith even traveled to the site in 1608. Today, the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.
A trip to the park will likely keep you busy with its numerous activities, including hiking, fishing, and boating. The park has five hiking trails that spotlight the river, including an overlook of the remains of a Confederate gun battery at Freestone Point.
The park is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Stop by the gift shop on your way out to purchase a trinket to remember your trip.
Camping in small tents in the primitive campground is available from March through October.
Shenandoah Valley
7. Seven Bends State Park
Location: 2111 South Hollingsworth Rd., Woodstock
Seven Bends State Park spans 1,052 acres along the Seven Bends area of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.
Ideally suited for fishing, especially wade angling given how shallow it is, the river has plenty of smallmouth bass, sunfish, fallfish, largemouth bass, and muskellunge.
Hikers can explore the 9 miles of trails, with 2 miles of trail running along the seven bends of the river. Other trails run along the western slope of Powell Mountain and connect to the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest.
The park is open from 6 a.m. to dusk.
8. Natural Bridge State Park
Location: 6477 South Lee Hwy., Natural Bridge
Visit Natural Bridge State Park to marvel at the iconic 200-foot-tall Natural Bridge. Uniquely, the limestone gorge was carved out by Cedar Creek. The bridge is surrounded by compelling views of nearby mountains and the James River Valley.
Back in 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased the bridge and 157 surrounding acres from King George III. In 2023, the bridge and surrounding area became a state park.
The park has 10 miles of trails, including the Cedar Creek Trail that leads to Lace Falls, a 50-foot cascade.
The 1,635-acre park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk.
Southside Virginia
9. Staunton River State Park
Locations: 1170 Staunton Trail, Scottsburg
Not far from the North Carolina border, the 2,400-acre Staunton River State Park features an assortment of woodlands, meadows, and shoreline along the Dan and Staunton rivers.
It offers access to the commonwealth’s largest lake, Buggs Island Lake. With several boat launches, it’s ideal for boating enthusiasts. Plan to go fishing or engage in watersports, like skiing.
Those who prefer to stay on land can make use of the 17 miles of trails.
During the 1800s, the area where the park is today was used for transporting tobacco, but many of the plantations were destroyed during the Civil War. In 2007, the park was recognized as both a National Historic Landmark and Virginia Historic Landmark.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
10. Occoneechee State Park
Location: 1192 Occoneechee Park Rd., Clarksville
Located on the John H. Kerr Reservoir, Occoneechee State Park, which is named after the Native Americans who lived in the area, is the perfect park to visit for a classic summer lake adventure. It offers access to 48,000 acres of fishing, boating, and aquatic recreation.
The park has numerous facilities, including picnic shelters, an amphitheater, a playground, and boat ramps. You can also keep busy by traveling the 20 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Cool off in the visitor center and museum while learning about the Occoneechee people.
Plan to stay overnight in one of the 11 cabins, two lodges, three yurts, or 45 tent and RV campsites.
The 2,698-acre park is open from 8 a.m. until dusk.
Southwest Virginia
11. Grayson Highlands State Park
Locations: 829 Grayson Highland Ln., Mouth of Wilson
Take in views of alpine-like peaks of Virginia’s two highest mountains, Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, from a 5,000-foot elevation at Grayson Highlands State Park.
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the park is to hike the trails that lead to various waterfalls and overlooks. The trails also offer access to the Appalachian Trail. While hiking, keep an eye out for the wild pony herd that calls the park home.
Turn the trip into a learning opportunity for your kids by signing them up for one of the nature and history programs that are offered from May through October. For example, they can learn about the old-time music that area residents have played for generations at the amphitheater.
Full-service camping is offered from May through October. Primitive camping without water or a bathhouse is available in April, March, and November.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
Location: 6620 Ben H. Bolen Dr., Dublin
Claytor Lake State Park is ideal for parkgoers who love the water. Have fun at the 4,500-acre lake by going boating, fishing, or swimming.
The lake was built when the Appalachian Power Company constructed a dam on the New River. Learn about the lake and surrounding area by going on a guided walk. They’re offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The beach is the best place to swim. You’ll find restrooms and a concession area at the beach. Those interested in fishing are likely to reel in a bass, catfish, muskie, walleye, or striped bass.
Plan to stay overnight in one of the lodges or cabins that overlook the lake.
The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
