June 15th, 1936, was an important day in Virginia’s history. Six beautiful state parks opened for the first time, offering families and visitors newly-constructed recreational facilities to enjoy. Moreover, irreplaceable natural resources would now be protected and maintained by the system. Today, Virginia offers 41 parks, each with its own unique amenities and natural wonders to explore. As the 84th anniversary of Virginia State Parks draws near, we wanted to take a moment to appreciate all that these state parks have provided us. The following photos show the development and enjoyment of some of our most stunning state parks over the years. Let’s take a step back in time to pay a visit to some beautiful state parks in Virginia, shall we?

1. Douthat State Park
Douthat State Park Road, Douthat State Park Rd, Clifton Forge, VA, USA
Va. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation / flickr
Located in Bath County, Virginia, Douthat State Park was one of the original six state parks to open in 1936. The first 1,920 acres of land was donated by the Douthat Land Company.
2. Douthat State Park
Va. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation / flickr
Two young beach-combers enjoying the weather on the lakeside beach. The water has always been the centerpiece of this beloved Virginia state park.
3. Seashore State Park (currently known as First Landing)
First Landing Beach, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Va. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation / flickr
Legend has it that "seashore" was never meant to be the official title of this park, which is now commonly known as First Landing State Park. Apparently, during the 1920s and 1930s, folks discussing the soon-to-open park discussed how the CCC was building a park "by the seashore."
4. Seashore State Park
Va. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation / flickr
The nickname stuck and the park opened as Seashore State Park in 1936. The name was officially changed in 1997 to First Landing State Park.
5. Fairy Stone State Park, 1930s
Fairy Stone State Park, 967 Fairystone Lake Dr, Stuart, VA 24171, USA
Va. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation / flickr
A caravan of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers arrives at Fairy Stone State Park. The CCC was established in March of 1933 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in an effort to employ 500,000 men throughout the U.S. in the wake of the Great Depression. Aptly named, you can hunt for fairy stones at this state park!
6. Hungry Mother State Park, 1930s
Hungry Mother State Park, Virginia 24354, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr
Hungry Mother State Park was another of Virginia's original state parks. This aerial view of Hungry Mother State Park was taken in 1936.
7. Hungry Mother State Park
Virginia State Parks / flickr
The photograph above shows the CCC cabins. This group of dedicated men built trees, dams, monuments, and helped restore historic landmarks. The work was both tiring and rewarding.

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8. Unknown cabin
Va. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation / flickr
The woman in the photo above settles into one of the many rental cabins in Virginia's state parks. Where do you think this photo was taken?
9. Unknown cabin
Va. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation / flickr
A portrait of another rental cabin occupied by a couple and their horse. It's incredible to see how many things -- such as a camping trip or a cabin getaway -- haven't changed a bit over the years.
10. High Bridge, 1857
High Bridge Trail, Farmville, VA, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr
Shown above is one of Ed Beyer's watercolor illustrations from 1857 as seen in "Album of Virginia." Of course, this was long before High Bridge Trail was established as a state park in 2008.
11. High Bridge, 1914
Virginia State Parks / flickr
The watchman on duty at High Bridge, before it was a state park, in 1914. The man photographed is John Redd, who worked for the N. & W. Railway.
12. Prince Edward State Park (known today as Twin Lakes State Park)
Twin Lakes State Park, 788 Twin Lks Rd, Green Bay, VA 23942, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr
Two young women stand by the jukebox inside the dining hall at Prince Edward State Park, one of the most hidden gem state parks to visit in Virginia!
13. Prince Edward State Park
Virginia State Parks / flickr
The land for the park was bought from struggling farmers during the Great Depression. Two parks were established, Goodwin Lake and Prince Edward Lake, and were segregated until the early 1960s. In 1986, the two parks were joined into one, renamed as Twin Lakes.
14. Bear Creek Lake, 1938
Bear Creek Lake, Virginia 23040, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr
A portrait of the work crew at Bear Creek Lake. Interestingly, the men responsible for building the park were not part of the CCC but rather the Virginia Department of Agriculture.
15. False Cape State Park, 1950s
False Cape State Park, 4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr
A photo of the Wash Woods Church at False Cape State Park. The former community of Wash Woods was established by shipwrecked sailors in the 16th or 17th century. The church featured above was built from cypress wood that had washed ashore after the wreck. False Cape State Park was established in 1966, after this photo was taken.

The video below, courtesy of DCRVirginia, offers a fascinating overview of the importance of the CCC in Virginia:

What are your thoughts on these vintage photos of Virginia’s state parks? What’s your favorite state park to visit in Virginia? Did you see any historic photos of it above? We’d love to hear from you!

Learn more about the fascinating history of Virginia’s State Park system by clicking here. As always, feel free to join in on the conversation by leaving a comment below.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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State parks to visit in Virginia

Sarah M. | February 04, 2022

Are there any national parks in Virginia?

Ever heard of Shenandoah National Park? Virginia's crown jewel, few places in the country are as breathtakingly beautiful as Shenandoah National Park. This scenic expanse of the Southern Appalachian mountains in Virginia is 200,000 acres of pastoral perfection. Photographers love Shenandoah National Park for its picture-perfect panoramas, but this national park is so much more than just a quick photo stop. With stunning and radiant scenery, Shenandoah National Park offers some of the very best outdoor recreation opportunities in the U.S., stellar hiking trails (including access to the world-famous Appalachian Trail), extraordinary camping, an abundance of wildlife, and, yes, some of the most jaw-dropping views in the country. Shenandoah is a true national treasure; a place that belongs on everyone’s bucket list. If you'd prefer to explore Shenandoah by car, one of the most scenic drives in America actually rolls right through this natural paradise!

What is the best state park to visit in Virginia?

There are 41 state parks in Virginia, and we absolutely advocate for visiting each and every one of them! But in terms of superlatives, Grayson Highlands State Park is a fan favorite. Measuring 4,500 acres, Grayson Highlands State Park is a treasure trove of beautiful views, complete with panoramic mountain views, an excellently maintained campground, massive waterfalls, and even wild ponies (!!). This park is impressive on every level; in fact, it’s recognized as the best state park in Virginia. After you’ve visited this southwestern Virginia destination, we have no doubt you will totally agree.

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Featured Addresses
Douthat State Park, 14239 Douthat State Park Rd, Millboro, VA 24460, USA
Hungry Mother State Park, 2854 Park Blvd, Marion, VA 24354, USA
Fairy Stone State Park, 967 Fairystone Lake Dr, Stuart, VA 24171, USA
Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Twin Lakes State Park, 788 Twin Lks Rd, Green Bay, VA 23942, USA
First Landing State Park, 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, USA
False Cape State Park, 4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, USA