I have yet to make it to all 36 Virginia State Parks, but I am close! I have been to quite a few more than once as I prefer to stay overnight so I can visit neighboring parks as well. Since there are Virginia State Parks all across the state, I have to plan my expeditions wisely to ensure enough time to enjoy each park. 

SPEND THE NIGHT

The main reason I primarily choose to stay at a park itself as it is in the wee hours when the sun quietly slips above the horizon that I find the precious moments and those hidden gems of Virginia State Parks.

If I cannot stay overnight I can often arrive at a park from another home-base park cabin or campground at the crack of dawn, just after I have consumed my first cup of coffee with my travel mug in hand and trusty Nikon.

THE THRILL OF THE HUNT

The excitement I feel as my car winds its way down another unknown park road, and the thrill of the view opening up before me to reveal a waterway or glorious mountain setting are all part of the adventure.

When I reach a trailhead parking lot, and I step out of the car I can literally feel the stress from my day-to-day life drip off of me like morning dew. As I put my best foot forward, and allow myself to step out onto the Virginia State Park sacred ground, I exhale deeply, pausing to consider the best place to begin my hiking and photography expedition...this is why I am here.

Nothing beats this colorful rise and shine from a Virginia State Park cabin.

RIVERS RUN THROUGH IT

No two parks are alike, even if they are based on the same river such as the James River in Virginia. The James River State Park sits near its starting place in the Blue Ridge Mountains and flows eastward through the brackish water near Chippokes State Park as it closes in as a tributary feeding the Chesapeake Bay. 

While some parks have even more than one waterway or river to explore

A couple of parks that come to mind that have more than one river or creek confluence at the park are Staunton River State Park and James River State Park with its famous Tye River Overlook (See photo above and below). It is very unusual for two rivers to converge at a 'T' like the Tye River and James River do at this Virginia State Park. At Belle Isle, you will find seven miles of shoreline on the Northern Neck's Rappahannock River and access to Mulberry and Deep creeks. Staunton River State Park is perched on a point where the Dan River and Roanoke River (also called the Staunton River) converge to make the John H Kerr Reservoir (also called Buggs Island Lake) providing excellent access to kayakers and fishermen alike. 

Tye River overlook at James River State Park offers a spectacular view year-round.

A very interesting sign you will see at the Tye River Overlook.

I was shocked to find this sign at the Tye River Overlook. I had no idea I was standing on the very spot that had officially been noted as receiving the most rainfall ever recorded on earth! (That deserves an exclamation point!)

The media in Virginia is currently talking all about the new music festivals in Nelson County, but somehow this little historical tidbit had escaped my attention.

One of the heaviest rainfalls ever recorded on earth

Since learning about Hurricane Camille, other trivia has magically come to my attention like learning it was the inspiration for the chart-topping song "Who'll stop the rain", which mentions Virginia, by Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty during Woodstock. Was it a war protest as Wiki states, or was it really about this very spot in Virginia?

MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO

Some parks are tucked away in the midst of a great metropolis, and when you enter the park gate you feel you are a million miles away from civilization. These parks are perfect day-use parks and are recommended for a Sunday picnic or afternoon walk through the park. They also provide hiking and biking on miles of scenic trails. Two that come immediately to mind is the oasis of Pocahontas State Park just 20 miles outside of our Capital City of Richmond which is our largest park in size and is a mountain biking mecca. The other park is First Landing State Park which is properly named the Boardwalk on the Virginia State Park Monopoly Game and sits smack dab in the middle of the Virginia Beach/Chesapeake Bay entrance.

The beachfront section of First Landing State Park offers sandy sunbathing sites, the middle part of the park offers a Spanish moss-laden Bald Cypress Swamp and the back part of the park offers access to Broad Bay for paddling and boating activities. While the original built 1930-40s CCC cabins are not my personal favorite, they allow access to all three "environments" at this popular Virginia State Park. While the high-rises are built even higher, you will find your own "private Idaho" escape at First Landing State Park. You may forget all the traffic lights and strip malls you drove through to arrive at this place of solitude.

If you are like me and go beachcombing early as the sun peeks up over the Atlantic, you will be rewarded by a mostly isolated beach with plenty of seabirds soaring overhead to greet you.

Beachfront access on the Chesapeake Bay at First Landing State Park is just one of the three popular park areas visitors like to explore

Enjoy the ships coming and going into the largest natural bay in the world

Mysterious Bald Cypress Swamp at First Landing State Park in Virginia

Broad Bay is a great place to paddle early in the a.m. and you may even encounter dolphins at First Landing State Park

Clean up after your pet and they are allowed to enjoy the trails, the beach and Virginia State Parks like you do 

PET FRIENDLY FOR FIDO

Did I forget to mention that First Landing State Park is pet-friendly?

Like all Virginia State Parks, dogs are allowed to stay in the cabins for a small nightly fee with their family, and for free in the campgrounds. They are also allowed to explore the park as long as they are kept under control secured by a 6' leash or shorter, and picked up after (you know what I mean). Learn more about pet regs at the parks here.

I know it seems like an oxymoron to suggest the most popular Virginia State Park is a hidden gem, but in reality, if you enjoy it as I do before the crowds crawl out of their beds for the day, you will see exactly what I mean. It will feel like a completely new experience to you if you rise with the early birds and enjoy your own private Idaho.

THOSE WERE MY FIRST TWO

I hope you enjoyed two of my favorite hidden gems of Virginia State Parks, and that I may have encouraged you to see the parks in their "Sunday Best" when they are freshly showered and have put on their best garb for the day waiting for your visit.

I say it all the time, the best amenity found at a Virginia State Park is available to everyone, every day, the sunrise, and it can't be beaten! Things always look brighter and better in the morning.