If you want to beat the crowds when you spend time in the great outdoors, pick a midweek getaway to a Virginia State Park this summer.

Avoid the weekends and plan an escape Monday through Thursday, and you'll experience the park in a whole new light. Here are 7 featured parks you may enjoy visiting to relax and unwind.

1. NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK

You'll be able to relax and unwind in a cabin at Natural Tunnel State Park (photo credit: Chris Peek)

Besides the incredible Natural Tunnel that is more than 850 feet long and 10 stories high, and amazing scenery, this park also has two great campgrounds, yurts, picnic areas, and a terrific visitor center. You'll also find the Wilderness Road historic area and a chairlift to the tunnel floor (or you can take the stairs). There are 13 cabins and 1 lodge at this park. Cabins sit along a ridge line with impressive mountain and valley views and easy access to hiking trails.

Natural Tunnel State Park is at 1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway. Duffield, VA. Drive Time: Northern Virginia, eight hours; Richmond, six hours; Virginia Beach, eight to nine hours; Roanoke, three and a half hours; Knoxville, Tenn., one and a half hours; Winston-Salem, N.C., three hours; Lexington, Ky., two and a half hours. Learn more.

2. DOUTHAT STATE PARK

Spend a few days enjoying the lake at Douthat State Park.

This park sits among some of Virginia's most awe-inspiring scenery. Guests enjoy nature programs, stream fishing, the 50-acre lake stocked with trout, a fun seasonal swimming beach with a snack bar, boat rentals (including SUP pictured above), cabins, and more than 43 miles of trails. Plus, there are playgrounds, picnic areas, tent and trailer camping. There are 32 cabins and three lodges that accommodate groups. 

Douthat State Park is at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, VA. Drive Time: Northern Virginia, four hours; Virginia Beach, five hours; Richmond, three hours; Roanoke, one hour. Learn more.

3. POCAHONTAS STATE PARK

Yurts provide plenty of privacy and offer a great outdoor experience at Pocahontas State Park.

This park is about 20 miles from Richmond and offers boating, picnicking, camping, camping cabins, cabins, 64-plus miles of trails with mountain biking trails, and nature and history programs. Three scenic lakes are surrounded by woods and plenty of wildlife, with fishing and boat rentals available seasonally by the 225-acre Swift Creek Lake. There are four cabins, six camping cabins and group lodging available. 

Pocahontas State Park is at 10301 State Park Rd., Chesterfield, VA. Drive Time: Northern Virginia, two hours; Richmond, half an hour; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two hours; Roanoke, three hours. Learn more

4. TWIN LAKES STATE PARK

Enjoy the lakes at Twin Lakes State Park.

Sitting quietly in the heart of central Virginia is this lovely 548-acre, historic park that offers many cultural, environmental and recreational activities for visitors. You can enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, boating and lakeside picnicking. Overnight accommodations include a 33-site campground. In addition, there are 9 climate-controlled cabins (a handful are waterfront) and a lodge.

Twin Lakes State Park is at 788 Twin Lakes Rd., Green Bay, VA. Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three to four hours; Richmond, one to one and a half hours; Virginia Beach, two and a half to three hours; Roanoke, three hours. Learn more.

To check cabin availability at Virginia State Parks, click here, or call 800-933-7275 during business hours. You can learn more about cabin rates and policies here.

5. FAIRY STONE STATE PARK

Cabin with a view at Fairy Stone State Park.

Hunt for fairy stones, hike or spend your day canoeing the sweet little 168-acre lake. This park sits in the gorgeous Blue Ridge foothills in Patrick County. Park attractions include hiking trails, seasonal lake swimming, rowboats, canoes, paddleboats, kayaks, picnicking and a playground. There is a campground, yurts, group camping and an equestrian campground. In addition, there are 25 cabins (some are waterfront) and one lodge that is close to the swimming beach. 

Fairy Stone State Park is at 967 Fairystone Lake Drive, Stuart, VA. Drive Time: Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., six hours (from Washington, DC); Richmond, four hours; Virginia Beach, five hours; Roanoke, one hour. Learn more.

6. WESTMORELAND STATE PARK

Quiet and serene on the Potomac River at Westmoreland State Park.

This park sits on the edge of the Potomac River and offers many opportunities for family fun and explorations. It has a meeting area, snack bar, camp store and power-boat ramp. There's also a visitor center, campgrounds, camping cabins, a playground, a fishing pier, boat rentals and 6 miles of trails. A favorite pastime at Westmoreland is hunting for ancient shark teeth along the Potomac at Fossil Beach. There are 26 cabins.

Westmoreland State Park is at 145 Cliff Road, Montross, VA. Drive Time: Northern Virginia and Washington D. C., two hours; Richmond, one and a half hours; Virginia Beach, two and a half hours; Roanoke, five and a half hours. Learn more.

7.  BEAR CREEK LAKE STATE PARK

Many archery programs are available at Bear Creek Lake State Park.

In Central Virginia, the 40-acre Bear Creek Lake is less than an hour west of Richmond. Activities include a seasonal swimming beach, a boat launch, a fishing pier and boat rentals. There are cabins, camping, picnicking, an archery range and playgrounds. Visitors also enjoy the park's trails and access to the adjoining 16,000-acre Cumberland State Forest, which includes the 14-mile Cumberland Multi-use Trail, available for hiking, biking and horseback riding (if you bring your own horse). There are 48 campsites from tent-only to electric-water or full RV. In addition, there are 12 cabins, a lodge and a bunkhouse.

Bear Creek Lake State Park is at 22 Bear Creek Lake Rd., Cumberland, VA. Drive Time: Northern Va., three hours; Richmond, one hour; Roanoke, two hours; Virginia Beach, three hours. Learn more.

PERKS

All cabins are pet-friendly with a nightly fee; see our pet policies here. There is no charge for pets to stay at your campsite. However, no pets are allowed in yurts.

Swimming and boat launching are always free with your nightly rental.

GET STARTED

See a map of all Virginia State Parks here. Then, call 800-933-7275 today to start planning your next midweek getaway.

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