Quick Summary:

  • Question: What natural features make Virginia unique?
    Answer: Virginia is full of beautiful nature, including the coastline, numerous mountains, and the famous and scenic Blue Ridge Parkway running through the state.
  • Question: What types of parks can visitors explore in Virginia?
    Answer: Virginia is home to many state parks, national parks, national monuments, historical and military parks, and a national seashore.
  • Question: Where can visitors obtain a fishing license in Virginia?
    Answer: Visitors can get their fishing license here.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Bear Creek Lake State Park - 1 hour from Richmond ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Bear Creek Lake State Park - 1 hour from Richmond | Virginia State Parks
© Celli07/stock.adobe.com

2. Belle Isle State Park - 1.5 hours from Richmond ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Belle Isle State Park - 1.5 hours from Richmond | Virginia State Parks
© Ritu Jethani/stock.adobe.com

3. Claytor Lake State Park - 2.5 hours from Charlottesville

Category: Activities
Claytor Lake State Park - 2.5 hours from Charlottesville | Virginia State Parks
© Isabel/stock.adobe.com

4. Douthat State Park

Category: Activities
Douthat State Park | Virginia State Parks
© The Perfect Moment

5. Fairy Stone State Park

Category: Activities
Fairy Stone State Park | Virginia State Parks
© sauseyphotos/stock.adobe.com

6. First Landing State Park

Category: Activities
First Landing State Park | Virginia State Parks
© Mosto/stock.adobe.com

7. Grayson Highlands State Park

Category: Activities
Grayson Highlands State Park | Virginia State Parks
© Tom/stock.adobe.com

8. High Bridge Trail State Park

Category: Activities
High Bridge Trail State Park | Virginia State Parks
© Todd/stock.adobe.com

9. Hungry Mother State Park

Category: Activities
Hungry Mother State Park | Virginia State Parks
© UMB-O/stock.adobe.com

10. James River State Park

Category: Activities
James River State Park | Virginia State Parks
© jonbilous/stock.adobe.com

11. Mason Neck State Park

Category: Activities
Mason Neck State Park | Virginia State Parks
© Grafton/stock.adobe.com

12. Natural Bridge State Park

Category: Activities
Natural Bridge State Park | Virginia State Parks
© holly/stock.adobe.com

13. Occoneechee State Park

Category: Activities
Occoneechee State Park | Virginia State Parks
© tuulijumala/stock.adobe.com

14. Pocahontas State Park

Category: Activities
Pocahontas State Park | Virginia State Parks
© studiodr/stock.adobe.com

15. Powhatan State Park

Category: Activities
Powhatan State Park | Virginia State Parks
© Erica Smit/stock.adobe.com

16. Shenandoah River State Park

Category: Activities
Shenandoah River State Park | Virginia State Parks
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

17. Westmoreland State Park

Category: Activities
Westmoreland State Park | Virginia State Parks
© Africa Studio/stock.adobe.com

18. Assateague Island

Romantic Islands
Assateague Island | Virginia State Parks
© Deatonphotos/stock.adobe.com

19. Cape Henry Memorial

Category: Attractions
Cape Henry Memorial | Virginia State Parks
© Kenneth Keifer/stock.adobe.com

20. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Category: Activities
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park | Virginia State Parks
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

21. Fort Monroe National Monument

Category: Activities
Fort Monroe National Monument | Virginia State Parks
© Jenny Thompson/stock.adobe.com

22. Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania | Virginia State Parks
© steheap/stock.adobe.com

23. Great Falls Park

Category: Activities
Great Falls Park | Virginia State Parks
© eurobanks/stock.adobe.com

24. Prince William Forest Park

Category: Activities
Prince William Forest Park | Virginia State Parks
© suwatwongkham/stock.adobe.com

25. Shenandoah National Park

Category: Activities
Shenandoah National Park | Virginia State Parks
© spiritofamerica/stock.adobe.com

Best time to visit is May through September, especially if you are camping.

Here is the weather in Shenandoah National Park. Source: National Weather Service

Month Average High (°F) Average Low (°F) Average Precipitation (inches) Average Snowfall (inches)
January 45 26 3.4 8.7
February 48 28 3.1 7.9
March 57 36 3.5 5.9
April 67 45 3.9 1.2
May 75 54 4.8 0.1
June 82 62 4.5 0.0
July 85 66 4.1 0.0
August 83 64 4.4 0.0
September 77 58 4.3 0.0
October 66 47 3.4 0.1
November 56 37 3.3 1.6
December 47 29 3.9 6.3

Map:


Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.