8 Under-Appreciated State Parks In Virginia You’re Sure To Love
It’s hard to imagine Virginia without its beautiful state park system. Tucked away in nearly every corner of the state, these designated natural areas are the perfect settings for picnics, camping trips, hikes, and day trips. Did you realize that our state boasts 37 beautiful parks? Today, we’d like to feature eight that fly under the radar (at least, in terms of those we’ve already covered). So for your next outing adventure, you’ll love your time spent at any of the following beautiful and underrated state parks to visit in Virginia.
1. Caledon State Park (King George)
Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Rd, King George, VA 22485, USA
Our list of incredible state parks to visit in Virginia begins with Caledon State Park. Located between Fairview Beach and Owens, Caledon State Park is a beautiful landscape particularly known for its American bald eagle population. The park encompasses nearly 2,500 acres and has plenty of trails to explore. Learn more about why you'll love hiking at Caledon State Park in Virginia.
2. Chippokes Plantation State Park (Surry)
Chippokes Plantation State Park, 695 Chippokes Park Rd, Surry, VA 23883, USA
Named for one of the oldest continuously-farmed homes in the country, Chippokes Plantation State Park is located along the riverbank of the James across from Jamestown. Visitors to the park can enjoy activities from centuries ago, offering a unique perspective into the history of the land. Guests are also welcome to stay at the campgrounds provided here. In fact, it's even possible to search for fossils at this Virginia state park.
3. Douthat State Park (Millboro)
Douthat State Park Road, Douthat State Park Rd, Virginia, USA
Douthat may be something of a hidden gem, but its impact on state parks across the nation is nothing small. Since 1936, families in the area as well as visitors from Virginia have enjoyed the pristine natural beauty of this beloved park. From stream fishing to hiking trails, cabins, and even playgrounds, there is no shortage of activities to enjoy at Douthat State Park. During the summertime, you'll love lounging on the manmade beach.
4. Holliday Lake State Park (Appomattox)
Holliday Lake State Park, 2759 State Park Rd, Appomattox, VA 24522, USA
Tucked away in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest you’ll find the scenic Holliday Lake State Park. For any fan of fishing, this spot is nothing short of heavenly. The park also offers a beautiful place to swim as well as miles and miles of hiking and biking trails. You’ll find campsites here, too, as well as picnic shelters and playgrounds. It’s a destination for folks of all ages. For more information about planning your visit to Holliday Lake State Park, be sure to check out the official Virginia State Park website.
5. Leesylvania State Park (Woodbridge)
Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22191, USA
Leesylvania State Park is a coastal haven, situated along the Potomac River in northeastern Virginia. It’s here that visitors can enjoy their fill of water activities such as fishing and boating. There are also wonderful hiking trails that show off the natural beauty of this historic landscape. As you can imagine from the photograph above, it’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. While you're there, be sure to check out this gorgeous short-and-sweet trail that everyone in your family will love.
Paralleling the beautiful New River for 39 miles, New River Trail State Park winds its way through four counties in Southwest Virginia. Along the trail, which follows an abandoned railroad, visitors will notice opportunities for fishing as well as more primitive campsites. It’s a breathtaking area that combines history with gorgeous natural surroundings. Learn more about what makes New River Trail State Park such a fantastic Virginia day trip destination.
7. Occoneechee State Park (Clarksville)
Occoneechee State Park, 1192 Occoneechee Park Rd, Clarksville, VA 23927, USA
You’ll find Occoneechee State Park along the John H. Kerr Reservoir, also known as Buggs Island. While this spot is especially popular among fishers, there are also plenty of other activities available including hiking and camping. The area is named for the Native American tribe who lived in the area for many years. Anyone who wishes to stay overnight can reserve one of the on-site cabins with a gorgeous view of the water. When it comes to lesser-known state parks to visit in Virginia, Occoneechee State Park is one of our favorites.
8. Powhatan State Park (Powhatan)
Powhatan State Park Road, Powhatan State Park Rd, Virginia, USA
Powhatan State Park is located in the heart of Virginia, right along the beautiful James River. In addition to an impressive amount of wildlife, the park also offers observation decks, shelters, campsites, and forested trails. Curious to learn more? Head on over to the official Powhatan State Park website.
For more information on all of Virginia’s State Parks, be sure to visit the official website here. Which are your favorite state parks to visit in Virginia? We’d love to hear from you — be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Address: Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Rd, King George, VA 22485, USA
Address: Chippokes Plantation State Park, 695 Chippokes Park Rd, Surry, VA 23883, USA
Address: Douthat State Park Road, Douthat State Park Rd, Virginia, USA
Address: Holliday Lake State Park, 2759 State Park Rd, Appomattox, VA 24522, USA
Address: New River Trail State Park, Virginia, USA
Address: Occoneechee State Park, 1192 Occoneechee Park Rd, Clarksville, VA 23927, USA
Address: Powhatan State Park Road, Powhatan State Park Rd, Virginia, USA
Address: Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22191, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
state parks to visit in Virginia
January 12, 2022
Beth C.
What are the top natural attractions to visit in Virginia?
Here in Virginia, we’re lucky to enjoy countless natural wonders. From the Atlantic Coast all the way to the Appalachian Mountains, the Old Dominion is brimming with fascinating, otherworldly attractions that could seriously impress any outdoor enthusiast. Wondering where to start? We’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled a list of our all-time favorite natural attractions to explore. At the top of the list is Mount Rogers, the single tallest mountain in Virginia. Measuring an impressive 5,729 feet, Mount Rogers is breathtaking. One of the best ways to access this high-elevation destination is by visiting Grayson Highlands State Park and hiking to the Mount Rogers Natural Recreation Area. It’s here that you’ll also get to experience the famous Highland ponies that roam the balds. One thing to note about the Mount Rogers peak is that there’s no dramatic overlook — it’s located within a forest. However, the views on your way to the top are outstanding. Next up on the list of incredible natural wonders in Virginia is Natural Bridge. Virginia’s most iconic rock formation, this arch is 215 feet tall and spans 90 feet. Long before the arrival of settlers, this bridge was seen as a sacred site for the Native American Monacan tribe. Some more natural wonders that belong on your itinerary include Devil’s Marbleyard, the Channels, First Landing State Park, Luray Caverns, Devil’s Bathtub, Emancipation Oak, and Crabtree Falls. Curious to learn more about these places? Check out our previous article: 9 Virginia Natural Wonders You Need To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List.
Address: Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Rd, King George, VA 22485, USA
Address: Chippokes Plantation State Park, 695 Chippokes Park Rd, Surry, VA 23883, USA
Address: Douthat State Park Road, Douthat State Park Rd, Virginia, USA
Address: Holliday Lake State Park, 2759 State Park Rd, Appomattox, VA 24522, USA
Address: New River Trail State Park, Virginia, USA
Address: Occoneechee State Park, 1192 Occoneechee Park Rd, Clarksville, VA 23927, USA
Address: Powhatan State Park Road, Powhatan State Park Rd, Virginia, USA
Address: Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22191, USA
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A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Alexandria. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
