Posted Dec 16, 2015 | Updated Aug 30, 2018

Water water everywhere is what I can't help but think when I look at a map of our 40 Virginia State Parks. People love water, when it's hot we like to cool off in it, we like the recreational aspect of water from fishing to boating to floating a river. We just cannot get enough water, and most of us plan our annual vacation around water.

There are many reasons to fall in love with Virginia State Parks, but for this series I am showcasing 10 reasons that immediately come to mind, and I hope you will agree with this third one.

PART 3: THE WATER

Take a tour on a paddleboat with the grandkids

Fun paddling programs at York River State Park

FISHING

Virginia State Parks offer access to some of the best fishing in the state. From fly fishing for native trout in the New River to flounder and cobia from the Chesapeake Bay, there is plenty of fishing opportunities at our state parks. Thirty parks offer fishing from the shore and six offer pier fishing. Learn more about the fishing found at our parks, and the boat launches available here.

SWIMMING

When it gets hot there is nothing more refreshing than going for a swim and since most of us do not have backyard swimming pools Virginia State Parks does. Hint: Swimming is always free for overnight guests for the duration of your stay. When you come out for the day to enjoy the water there is a parking fee and swimming fee per swimmer (in designated life-guarded swimming areas). If you need cool off in the hot summertime choose a Virginia State Park.

Click here to view a list of swimming options, from guarded swimming beaches, pools, to rivers and lakes where you can wade and float on your own/at your own risk.

BEACH ACTIVITIES

Rent a standup paddleboard

Explore the lake

I wanted to have this as a separate item in this list as there are plenty of shoreline and beach activities that are not in the water, like swimming. Photography, crabbing, fossil hunting and guided interpreter led programs like "What's in the net" allow year-round education and entertainment at many Virginia State Parks. The shore birds and the migratory birds found along many of our state park rivers on the eastern portion of the state offer ample opportunities to spend quality time outside. 

PADDLING

There are many recreational water-activities that involve paddling from Stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, to the peddle-powered paddle boat you can rent at a handful of lake based state parks, like seen above. You can also BYO kayak or canoe to paddle or you can rent one for an hour or half a day to experience it without having to own it, launch it, haul it out of the water and take it back home again

Many parks offer special programming that allow visitors to learn how to paddle as well. James River State Park has a special concessionaire Outdoor Adventure Canoe Livery that will rent you the canoe, kayak or tube to float the river and will collect you a few miles downstream when you are finished (like all water activities this is seasonal and weather dependent).

We have a big back yard and aren't afraid to use it

BOATING

Twenty four of our parks offer boating access and twenty three of those with boat launches of all sorts, from car top launches to concrete ramps. Many of our water based Virginia State Parks provide boat rentals for visitors. Depending on the body of water, it may be a motorized ski boat at Smith Mountain Lake, a Jon boat at Fairy Stone State Park, or a canoe at Belle Isle State Park.

You can learn more about boat rentals at eighteen of our parks here. These are seasonal and the fees vary per park so be sure to call the park before finalizing your plans. To find out where to launch your boat, click here to visit our BYO Boat page.

DINING

Douthat has a great spot to watch the sunset and enjoy a nice meal

There are two wonderful waterfront restaurants that open seasonally at Virginia State Parks. Both of these restaurants were CCC Built and offer sit down dining with views from the inside and outside. Douthat State Park has the Douthat Lakeview Restaurant.

South along the I-81 corridor is Hungry Mother State Park in Marion Virginia and it has The Restaurant which is a full-service park operated restaurant. They have a wonderful menu and special sold-out dates like Mother's Day Brunch you need to reserve well in advance. A few other state parks offer dining as special event locations, but these two are specifically open for walk in and sit down meals seasonally.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fantastic event venues like Douthat State Park (Image: Craig Spiering Photography)

I left this to the end of the article, as water is not only a draw to be in and on and around, but to watch the sun setting over the water, to look out at it from a waterfront cabin, a lakeside restaurant or visitor center is awfully appealing.

Many Virginia State Parks have conference centers that are waterfront, like the one at Claytor Lake State Park called Water's Edge. Twin Lakes State Park has a wonderful lakeside meeting facility called Cedar Crest Conference Center that is popular for weddings and special events year-round. Learn more about the state park meeting and event facilities here.

If you don't live in a waterfront mansion, or have a creek in your own backyard but desire water-centered activities, you've got the perfect opportunity when you visit a Virginia State Park. These are my parks and your parks, and they're accessible year-round to enjoy.

• "Part 1: The People" can be found here.
• "Part 2: The Accommodations" can be found here.

FIND YOUR PARK

Posted Dec 16, 2015 | Updated Aug 30, 2018