Located in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, Natural Tunnel State Park is a hidden gem. Many people come here for the 100-foot-tall Natural Tunnel, but they discover quickly that the more than 1,000-acre park has much more to offer.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park offers so much more than just a history lesson. This location is perfect for enjoying plants, flowers and viewing birds and wildlife as well as taking in the many programs and events offered throughout the year.

Sky Meadows State Park is wrapping up the first phase of a transformative project: the full restoration of two original windows at Mount Bleak House. These are not replicas, but the actual panes installed when the home was built in the 1840s.

Machicomoco State Park is Virginia's 40th state park and is truly a special place to visit. The park has a unique history and is surrounded by diverse wildlife habitats that provide a perfect place to anyone to enjoy.

First Landing State Park offers beaches, trails and rich history from the 1607 landing to Civil War patrols. Explore hiking, paddling, exhibits, programs and overnight stays. Something for everyone.

In 2025, volunteers provided over 196,000 hours of service to Virginia State Parks. That's the same number of hours as 94 full-time employees, an incredible contribution for a division of only 332 full-time staff!

Fairy Stone State Park is the perfect destination if you're looking for a mountain getaway. While this 4,741-acre park is known for its unique fairy stones and sandy beach on Fairy Stone Lake, this Southwest Virginia gem has a lot more to offer.

Nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, Douthat State Park is one of Virginia's original six state parks. It offers year-round adventures with its 4,500 acres of forested wilderness, a 50-acre lake and more than 40 miles of trails.

Located in Northern Virginia with recreational access to the water as well as seasonal programs. This park is perfect for adventure or for a quiet getaway from the daily grind

Located in Central Virginia, Lake Anna State Park offers an ideal destination for outdoor recreation. Beyond its sandy beach, the park's scenic trails, educational pavilion and stocked fishing pond create a balanced mix of exploration and relaxation.

While every Virginia State Park is unique, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park stands out from the rest. It primarily focuses on history and culture; however, you don't have to be a history buff to fall in love with this park.

Hungry Mother State Park is hosting a birding festival. Life's Extras Birding Celebration will honor the life of long-time volunteer and Virginia Master Naturalist Randy Smith. It will be held annually the first weekend in May.

Clinch River State Park is a hidden gem perfect for immersing yourself in nature. While it is under development, that doesn't mean this 640-acre, and growing, day-use park shouldn't be on your list of places to explore.

Located in Loudon County, Sweet Run State Park is an ideal place for a quiet getaway in a very busy area. The variety of trails, wildlife viewing and mountain scenery are the perfect combination for some amazing outdoor adventures.

New River Trail State Park is a go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. This 57-mile linear park follows an abandoned railroad along the historic New River, offering one-of-a-kind views and a range of recreational opportunities.

Virginia is home to five International Dark Sky Parks, four of which are state parks. They earned their designations from DarkSky International for their exceptional quality of starry nights. However, light pollution is a growing concern.

Bear Creek Lake State Park is ideal for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The park offers seasonal programs that highlight nature and the wildlife that reside there. There is something for everyone to enjoy at this park, from the lake to the trails.

Consider a job at a Virginia State Park such as maintenance ranger and you might be surprised at much you love it! These hardworking rangers face different adventures each day while gaining knowledge and building skillsets along the way.

Clinch River State Park continues to make exciting steps as it develops into Virginia's first blueway state park, blending river-based recreation and land conservation in a way no other state park in the commonwealth has done before.

The annual Merchandise Vendor Gift Show is the perfect time for staff to stock up the gift shop for fun and meaningful souvenirs for our guests. Talking to the vendors to better understand their products made it easy to shop for merchandise ideas.