Posted February 16, 2016 | Updated January 14, 2019

There are state parks all over Virginia where you can take a short walk to a nice bench or even sit in your car, while enjoying the view and the peace and quiet.

As an added bonus, there are all kinds of birds and wildlife to see that congregate around the water all year round. 

Close to the visitor center is the peaceful Taskinas Creek Overlook at York River State Park

Enjoy a sunset in front of the Breakwater Park Store at Leesylvania State Park

THE PROBLEM

Recently a good friend of mine was having a really rough time of it. She had injured her leg and while not in a wheelchair, she had some trouble getting around. After a few weeks, she had extreme cabin fever.

She asked me what she could do? I of course said, Go to a Virginia State Park. 

Her response was, "I just told you I can’t walk very far!"

And to that I replied, you don’t have to.

Overlook the lake from this bench and accessible path at Lake Anna State Park

Watch the waterfowl at Peaceful Rock Spring Pond at Westmoreland State Park

THE SOLUTION

While visitors to Westmoreland State Park are familiar with the iconic waterfront on the Potomac River, if you can walk a 1/2 mile or have an approved accessible form of single transportation (no cars please), there is a quiet place to sit and reflect at the end of Rock Spring Pond Trail. In the spring the Mountain Laurel are amazing, in the fall the colors are vibrant and can rival the turning leaves to our west. 

Take a lunch break on this bench at Caledon State Park

With those parks that are close to metropolitan areas or large communities, park waterfront and picnic areas are a great place to bring your brown bag or lunch on the go. Get out of the office, relax and go back to work refreshed and renewed. Of course, on a beautiful day, that may encourage you to play hooky. 

All of our parks have paved areas for those with mobility issues (Smith Mountain Lake State Park) 

So even if it's a cold day and you don't want to leave your car, take a drive to a Virginia State Park. There are miles of scenic byways within the parks and if you do feel like venturing out, check with the park office about locations that have benches and other viewing areas that are accessible. 

MY SUGGESTIONS

Although anytime is a great time to visit a Virginia State Park, if you are looking for the "quiet times", any time during winter, early spring or late fall is usually the best unless there is a special event going on at the park. During the late spring and early fall, midweek is usually the time the parks are a little less populated. Summer can depend upon what is going on in the park. 

During the week I can always find a quiet place, on summer weekends however it can be very busy unless you get up early.

And by the way, my friend picked up something to go and coffee, took it down to a bench on the accessible boardwalk area overlooking Mulberry Creek at Belle Isle State Park. She told me she came back home with a much better attitude and felt more like herself. Her husband said he owed me one for the suggestion.

HOW TO FIND ACCESSIBILITY INFO

For more information on Virginia State Parks or to locate a park near you, please click here or call 1800-933-PARK.

With 38 Virginia State Parks we can't post all the trails and info here for recreational bench sitting. So to find accessibility information for a particular park, please go to the park's webpage and click the Other Info. Here you will find all the accessible amenities and information for that park. Feel free to contact the park directly if you have any questions.

Happy recreational bench sitting, any time in nature is time well spent.

Posted February 16, 2016 | Updated January 14, 2019