You might think of mountains when you think of fall leaves, but some parks in the Piedmont and Central area of Virginia offer stunning waterfront settings with oodles of beautiful autumn scenery.

Cabins are prime real estate in the fall, and we encourage you to reserve one of them soon.

Did you know that you have access to any nearby state parks when you stay at one park during your stay? This opens up even more fall fun. Plus, there are interesting historical sites of interest you may want to visit, too.

These amazing fall getaways include incredible nearby attractions like breweries, wineries and unique historical sites to explore.

1. OCCONEECHEE STATE PARK - CLARKSVILLE

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, 3.5 hours; Richmond, 2 hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 3 hours; Roanoke, 2.5 hours.

Cabins are in a wooded location along the shores of Buggs Island Lake at Occoneechee State Park.

Occoneechee State Park provides access to Virginia’s largest lake, and three boat ramps open the door to 48,000 acres of fishing, boating and aquatic recreation. Guests can enjoy the fresh fall air from a rocker on the covered porch or deck of 11 cabins, all of which provide open floor plans and a wood-burning fireplace.

Nearby sites of interest: Clarksville, Virginia's only lakeside town, on beautiful Buggs Island Lake/John H. Kerr Reservoir is just under a 10-minute drive from the park.

Mecklenburg and the quaint town of Clarksville are just across the lake from the park, where you can tour the antique and bric-a-brac shops or see what's on tap at the Buggs Island Brewery.

Also, you'll get free entry with your parking pass at Staunton River State Park, where you can use the trails or meander along the river. 

 

2. STAUNTON RIVER STATE PARK - SCOTTSBURG

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, 3.5 hours; Richmond, 2 hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 3 hours; Roanoke, 2.5 hours.

The cabin area at Staunton River State Park in the fall will take your breath away.

About 25 miles from the North Carolina border, Staunton River offers much to families and outdoor enthusiasts. The 2,400-acre park offers woodlands, meadows and shorelines along the Dan and Staunton rivers. As one of our original parks, the seven cabins were built in the 1930s by the CCC and include rock wood-burning fireplaces. This park is the first state park in Virginia to be designated an International Dark Sky Park and is ideal for stargazing. 

At nearby Staunton River Battlefield State Park, visit a 300-acre Civil War historic site at the Staunton River Bridge and Confederate earthworks along the historic Bridge Trail. Two visitor centers feature 2,300 square feet of exhibits covering the park's history, from Native American life and more recent archaeological finds, through Civil War history and the skirmish that took place, to the present-day wildlife and ecology of the park. For a more immersed experience, guest favorites are a 1.2-mile self-guided trail through the battlefield and a .75-mile nature trail with two wildlife observation towers overlooking wetlands.

For motorheads, you might want to check out the South Boston Speedway.

 

3. BEAR CREEK LAKE STATE PARK - CUMBERLAND

Drive Time: Northern Virginia 3 hours; Richmond, 1 hour; Roanoke, 2 hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 3 hours.

Paddle your canoe in front of the Bear Creek Lake State Park cabin area.

Located in the heart of the Cumberland State Forest in Central Virginia, Bear Creek Lake is less than an hour west of Richmond. It's the perfect getaway for the outdoor enthusiast. Activities center around the 40-acre lake with a boat launch, fishing pier, boat rentals and a swimming beach. There are 12 cabins at this park -- many with excellent views of the lake.

Nearby sites of interest: Appomattox National Historic Park saw the surrender of General Lee to General Grant on April 9, 1865, in the McLean House, ending the Civil War in Virginia. It's roughly a 50-minute drive from the park. While you're out, you can visit the American Civil War Museum in Appomattox and stop by Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park to further contextualize your historical outing. The Battles at Sailor's Creek were pivotal in ending the Civil War: on April 6, 1865, three days before Lee would surrender, Confederate forces lost 7,700 men, including eight generals, in the fields at Sailor's Creek. Visitors can walk the battlefield and request tours of the Hillsman House, which served as a field hospital during and after the battle. 

Other sites worth a visit:

• Old Town Farmville
• Longwood College Visual Arts Center
• Robert R. Moton School Museum

4. SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE STATE PARK - HUDDLESTON

Drive time: Roanoke, less than 1 hour; Richmond, 3 hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 4.5 hours, Northern Virginia, 4 hours.

Get away from it all in a lakefront cabin at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Smith Mountain Lake is the water enthusiast's paradise on the second-largest freshwater lake in the state. There are numerous water activities, including swimming, boat rentals, a boat ramp and a universally accessible fishing pier. There are 20 cabins, eight of them waterview that feature quaint woodstoves.

Nearby sites of interest:  Learn about the damming of the Roanoke River 50 years ago for this successful hydroelectric project at The Smith Mountain Dam Visitor Center. Also near the park are the Booker T. Washington National Monument, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Peaks of Otter if you want to hike to the spectacular Sharp Top or Flat Top. Not to be missed is the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford County.

Check out Sunken City Brewery in Westlake or the lake's Hickory Hill Vineyards for their tasting room and music events.

Remember, your parking pass gets you free entry to Fairy Stone State Park, a 90-minute drive, where you can hunt for fairy stones, hike the trails or paddle the lake.

TWIN LAKES STATE PARK - GREEN BAY 

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, 3.5 hours; Richmond, 1.5 hours; Tidewater/ Norfolk/ Virginia Beach, 3 hours; Roanoke, 3 hours.

Start your day with coffee on the screened-in porch at Twin Lakes State Park.

Twin Lakes, situated in central Virginia, is a 548-acre historic park and offers many cultural, environmental and recreational activities. Visitors enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, boating and lakeside picnicking. Overnight accommodations include 11 climate-controlled cabins, some with wrap-around porches and some with screened porches. 

Nearby sites of interest: Use your parking pass for free access to the High Bridge Trail State Park, which features 31 miles of trail perfect for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Once a rail bed, the trail is wide, level and generally flat. The park’s centerpiece is the majestic High Bridge, which is more than 2,400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River. It is the longest recreational bridge in Virginia and among the longest in the United States. High Bridge, a Virginia Historic Landmark, is on the National Register of Historic Places. You can even rent a bike to ride the trail here. High Bridge State Park also features fun programs throughout the year.

Other sites worth a visit: 
Moorefield Mine in Amelia
Crewe Historic Railroad Park
The Adventure Park at Sandy River Retreat (zip lines, canopy rope courses).

 

RESERVATIONS

This fall, explore the Piedmont and heart of Virginia from a state park cabin.

Start planning now for your fall getaway to one of these great park cabins in Virginia's Piedmont and Central region. The leaves last longer than in the mountains and are absolutely gorgeous at the end of October and even into early November. But don't chance it - these cabins won't be available forever. For the best of luck, reserve your cabin for a mid-week stay. 

There is a two-night minimum stay in all cabins. You can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for cabin rental fees.