Posted Aug. 1, 2019 | Updated Aug. 19, 2020

If you live in Virginia's Blue Ridge then you have plenty of mountains and scenery to occupy your playtime, and with Carvins Cove and the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby the outdoor fun is endless.

If you're looking to spend the day at a Virginia State Park, then we have a handful that are within an hour's drive of Roanoke, and perfect for end-of summer day tripping.

FAIRY STONE STATE PARK

Spend the day relaxing in the sun and cooling off in the little lake at Fairy Stone State Park.

Long known as the home of the legendary fairy stones, Fairy Stone State Park is well known for its 168-acre lake adjoining its big sister the Philpott Reservoir. The park is just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and 30 minutes west of Martinsville.

Park attractions include cabins, lodge, and campground, group camping, yurts, an equestrian campground, a conference center, hiking trails, a swimming beach with rentals of rowboats, canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. There are also wonderful picnic spots, and two playgrounds, including one in the water.

Hiking trails may surprise visitors, with over 10 miles of trails you can hike to a waterfall, hike past an iron mine to Stuart’s Knob with magnificent views of the lake and the rolling Blue Ridge foothills.

Hunting for fairy stones is one of the most popular reasons for visiting this park, and a map with hunting site is given to visitors when they come through the gate, or stop off at the park office.

Learn more about Fairy Stone State Park here to help plan your day trip.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE STATE PARK

Bring the gear and chill out near the lake at Smith Mountain Lake State Park's swimming beach.

This second largest lake is one of the top lakes in our state, and people flock to enjoy the boating, camping, and numerous other water activities that can be found at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Families enjoy picnicking, a visitor center, an amphitheater, special programs, camping, miles of trails and cabins with dedicated boat docks. The swimming beach is a wonderful place to cool off in the heat of summer and even has accessible restrooms and picnic areas.

An interesting activity for kids is geocaching or they can participate in the "Junior Naturalists" program, which is for children 6-10 years old that focuses on themes of nature, and arts and crafts. 

The park offers ample opportunities for shore and boat fishing. You’ll find striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and several other species. There is a fishing pier and boat launch for motorized boats. 

Learn more about Smith Mountain Lake State Park here to help plan your day trip.

DOUTHAT STATE PARK

Enjoy swimming in a mountain beach at Douthat State Park.

A family favorite park that originated in 1936 and located in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains, Douthat is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the role its design played in the development of parks nationwide. Recreational enthusiasts call this park "epic" and the "Disneyland of mountain biking." 

Visitors can enjoy four miles of stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked for the best trout fishing around, and a sandy swimming beach with boat rentals open seasonally. 

This park has more than 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails. It also surrounded by the George Washington National Forest for even more wooded trails to ride.

Playgrounds and picnic areas, tent and trailer camping, and 32 cabins (some original CCC built) and three lodges that can accommodate 15, 16 and 18 guests each.

Learn more about Douthat State Park here to help plan your day trip.

CLAYTOR LAKE STATE PARK

It's hard to beat a day in the water at Claytor Lake State Park.

It's easy to see that the majority of fun at Claytor Lake State Park is centered on the water and the abundance of related recreation. Spend the day on the water, at the beach, riding the 4 miles of easy rated hiking or bike trails. There is also fun nature, history, outdoor and programs throughout the year. 

Being a larger lake, fishing is a popular sport at Claytor Lake State Park. Bass, catfish, muskie, walleye and striped bass are among the popular sport fish found in the lake. There is a seasonal marina with boat rentals, boat slips, gasoline and fishing supplies and licenses. Rent a pontoon, motorboat, canoe, SUP or kayak at this park from Mountain 2 Island Paddleboard Company.

Unlike some of our other more remote Virginia State Parks, you can easily access Claytor Lake State Park by taking Exit 101 off Interstate 81 and driving just a few miles to reach the park entrance. This makes it a great outing location midway coming from the North or South.

Learn more about Claytor Lake State Park here to help plan your day trip.

FEES AND UNGUARDED SWIMMING

Swim at your own risk at parks without lifeguards (and there is no swimming fee required).

Did you know that guarded swimming is free for overnight guests? If not staying the night, there will be a fee per person to use a lifeguarded swimming beach (this pays for the lifeguard). When swimming is at your own risk, there is no charge.

Please remember if the guards come on duty while you are there you will at that point have to pay. 

GO A LITTLE FARTHER

1. New River Trail State Park: 1 1/2 hour's drive
2. Holliday Lake State Park: 2 hour's drive
3. Staunton River State Park: 2 hour's drive
4. James River State Park: 2 hour's drive
5. Hungry Mother State Park: 2 hour's drive
6. Occoneechee State Park: 2 1/2 hour's drive

See a map of all Virginia State Parks here to help plan your visit.

We have plenty of family friendly swimming beaches, swimming holes and other great ways to cool off at Virginia State Parks.