Bear Creek Lake State Park – Located in central Virginia’s Cumberland State Forest, this peaceful park features a 40-acre lake perfect for fishing, kayaking, and swimming, along with hiking trails that wind through dense woodlands.
Belle Isle State Park – Situated along the Rappahannock River in Virginia’s Northern Neck, Belle Isle offers miles of shoreline, scenic wetlands, and excellent birdwatching, as well as canoeing and fishing opportunities.
Breaks Interstate Park – Spanning the Virginia-Kentucky border in the Appalachian Mountains, this park is often called the “Grand Canyon of the South” for its dramatic 1,600-foot-deep gorge carved by the Russell Fork River.
Caledon State Park – Located along the Potomac River in northeastern Virginia, Caledon is a designated National Natural Landmark known for its old-growth forests and as a prime habitat for bald eagles.
Chippokes State Park – One of the oldest continuously farmed properties in the U.S., this historic park on the James River near Surry features a working farm, historic manor houses, and peaceful riverside trails.
Claytor Lake State Park – Found in southwestern Virginia near Radford, this park offers stunning views of Claytor Lake, a 4,500-acre reservoir known for boating, fishing, and relaxing lakefront cabins.
Clinch River State Park – Located in southwest Virginia, this park follows the biologically diverse Clinch River, providing excellent opportunities for paddling, fishing, and spotting rare aquatic species.
Culpeper Battlefields State Park – A new addition to Virginia’s park system, this site in Culpeper County preserves historic Civil War battlefields, including Cedar Mountain and Brandy Station, offering a glimpse into the past through scenic landscapes and interpretive trails.
Douthat State Park – Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains near Clifton Forge, this historic park is known for its 50-acre lake, miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and charming CCC-era cabins.
Fairy Stone State Park – Located near Stuart, this park is famous for its naturally occurring fairy stones—unique mineral formations shaped like crosses—along with a large lake, sandy beach, and scenic trails.
False Cape State Park – Situated on a remote strip of land between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, this park near Virginia Beach offers pristine, undeveloped beaches, accessible only by foot, bike, or boat.
First Landing State Park – The most-visited state park in Virginia, this coastal park in Virginia Beach marks the site of the first English settlers’ landing in 1607 and features maritime forests, dunes, and scenic trails.
Grayson Highlands State Park – Located near Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest peak, this park is known for its wild ponies, breathtaking alpine views, and access to the Appalachian Trail.
High Bridge Trail State Park – Stretching 31 miles through south-central Virginia, this rail-trail park features the stunning High Bridge, a historic Civil War-era trestle offering panoramic views of the Appomattox River.
Holliday Lake State Park – Tucked away in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, this quiet park offers a peaceful lake for fishing and paddling, as well as shaded hiking trails perfect for a family getaway.
Hungry Mother State Park – Found in the mountains of southwestern Virginia near Marion, this park is known for its beautiful lake, sandy beach, and legend of a mother and child who once sought refuge in its wilderness.
James River State Park – Located in central Virginia near Gladstone, this park follows the scenic James River, offering paddling, tubing, and fishing, as well as rolling meadows and miles of multi-use trails.
Kiptopeke State Park – Situated on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, this coastal park is a top destination for birdwatching, featuring unique concrete ship breakwaters and stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay.
Lake Anna State Park – Found in northern Virginia, this park borders one of the state’s largest freshwater lakes, offering excellent fishing, boating, and a sandy swimming beach along its shores.
Leesylvania State Park – Located along the Potomac River near Woodbridge, this historic park was once home to the Lee family and offers waterfront trails, fishing piers, and stunning river views.
Machicomoco State Park – Virginia’s newest state park, located along the York River, highlights the history and culture of the Powhatan people, featuring interpretive exhibits, kayaking, and peaceful nature trails.
Mason Neck State Park – Situated along the Potomac River south of Washington, D.C., this park is a sanctuary for bald eagles and features beautiful wetlands, forests, and opportunities for kayaking and birdwatching.
Natural Bridge State Park – Home to the towering Natural Bridge, a 215-foot limestone arch once owned by Thomas Jefferson, this park near Lexington blends history, geology, and scenic hiking trails.
Natural Tunnel State Park – Found in southwest Virginia, this park is named for its massive naturally formed tunnel, which is large enough for a railroad to pass through and offers spectacular hiking and cave tours.
New River Trail State Park – Stretching 57 miles along the New River in southwestern Virginia, this rail-trail park is a paradise for cyclists, horseback riders, and paddlers, with stunning river views and historic railroad relics.
Occoneechee State Park – Located on the shores of Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Lake) near Clarksville, this park is a paradise for boaters, anglers, and history buffs, featuring extensive trails, a historic plantation site, and stunning lakefront views.
Pocahontas State Park – Just outside of Richmond, this is Virginia’s largest state park, offering a vast network of hiking and biking trails, three lakes for paddling and fishing, and a popular waterpark in the summer.
Powhatan State Park – Situated along the James River in central Virginia, this park features rolling meadows, peaceful riverside trails, and excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife observation.
Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park – Located in south-central Virginia, this historic site commemorates the pivotal Civil War battle where over 7,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered just days before Appomattox.
Seven Bends State Park – Nestled along the North Fork of the Shenandoah River near Woodstock, this newer state park offers scenic paddling, hiking trails, and beautiful views of the surrounding Massanutten Mountains.
Shenandoah River State Park – Situated along 5 miles of riverfront in the Shenandoah Valley, this park near Front Royal features scenic overlooks, diverse wildlife, and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Shot Tower Historical State Park – Overlooking the New River in southwestern Virginia, this park preserves a 75-foot stone tower that was once used to produce lead ammunition, offering a unique glimpse into 19th-century industry.
Sky Meadows State Park – Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Paris, this park blends rolling farmland, wooded trails, and scenic overlooks, with a portion of the Appalachian Trail passing through.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park – Found in central Virginia, this park sits on the shores of the state’s second-largest freshwater lake, offering prime fishing, boating, and a sandy beach for swimming.
Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park – Housed in a grand Victorian mansion in Big Stone Gap, this park showcases exhibits on the coal mining history and cultural heritage of southwest Virginia.
Staunton River State Park – Located in southern Virginia at the confluence of the Staunton and Dan Rivers, this park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, making it a fantastic destination for stargazing and outdoor recreation.
Staunton River Battlefield State Park – Preserving the site of a crucial Civil War skirmish, this park near Randolph features walking trails, historic earthworks, and a visitor center highlighting the battle’s significance.
Sweet Run State Park – One of Virginia’s newest state parks, located in Loudoun County, this scenic retreat offers rolling meadows, forested trails, and connections to the Appalachian Trail.
Twin Lakes State Park – Nestled in central Virginia near Farmville, this park features two serene lakes, excellent for fishing and paddling, and a rich history tied to Virginia’s desegregation efforts.
Westmoreland State Park – Located along the Potomac River on Virginia’s Northern Neck, this park is famous for its fossil-filled cliffs, where visitors can search for ancient shark teeth along the shoreline.
Widewater State Park – Sitting along the Potomac and Aquia Creek in Stafford County, this park offers peaceful water access, scenic views, and a quiet escape just outside of Washington, D.C.
Wilderness Road State Park – Situated in southwest Virginia near the Cumberland Gap, this park preserves the historic route used by pioneers heading west and features a reconstructed 18th-century frontier fort.
York River State Park – Located near Williamsburg, this park protects diverse coastal ecosystems, including marshlands and forests, making it a prime spot for kayaking, birdwatching, and learning about the region’s rich history.