If you live or work in Danville Virginia then you already have plenty of amazing sights of interest right in your own backyard.

Danville has always been a fantastic day trip destination in Southside Virginia, with its historic tobacco warehouses and "Millionaire's Row", textile mills along the Dan River, the Mural of the famous train Wreck of Old '97, and Jefferson Davis making it the "Last Capitol of the Confederacy" on April 4, 1865. 

There are many outdoor recreational opportunities, like the Riverwalk worth exploring in Danville that you can access when you visit the incredible Danville Science Museum.

But if you want to stretch your wings a bit further and go for a paddle, fish, swim, picnic, or hike some woodsy trails we have just the ticket all within an hour of Danville.

STAUNTON RIVER STATE PARK

This playground is in a natural setting near picnic shelter #1 and also allows access
 via a short trail to the river at Staunton River State Park

Explore the river shoreline from the boat launch area 
or any of the other river access points

Staunton River State Park is alive with colorful birds and annual blooms
as it is a mecca for all sorts of flora and fauna

One of the original six Virginia State Parks that opened in 1936, this 2,400-acre park offers woodlands, meadows and shoreline access along the Dan and Staunton Rivers.

WATER

You will also have access to Virginia's largest lake, Buggs Island Lake, and Staunton River State Park offers freshwater fishing and boating, along with many other aquatic activities. There is also an Olympic-sized and wading pools, great picnic shelters, three fun playgrounds, tennis and volleyball courts, several boat launches and more than 17 miles of multi-use trails.

You can even go with the flow and rent canoes and kayaks by the day or half-day at River Traders, located just outside the park entrance.

Click here to view our database of unforgettable experiences to be had at Staunton River State Park.

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

STAUNTON RIVER BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK

Some of the interesting events held at Staunton River Battlefield State Park
throughout the year may include Civil War Reenactments

Another way to engage and get kids outside are
environmental field days at the park

One of the few Virginia State Park civil war sites, Staunton River Battlefield State Park is a 300-acre Civil War historic site where a ragtag group of 700 Confederate old men and young boys beat the odds and held off an assault by 5,000 Union cavalry on a bridge of strategic importance to General Lee's army, then under siege in Petersburg, Virginia.

We hope you enjoy this one of a kind experience when you visit the Confederate earthworks and walk the historic bridge trail, and in season you can even paddle underneath the bridge for a unique perspective. The beautiful Staunton River flows through the park and makes for a great float trip. The river has numerous freshwater species and is a great spot for walleye and smallmouth bass anglers. 

VISITOR CENTERS

The park’s two visitor centers feature 2,300 square feet of exhibits on the area's rich Civil War heritage, Native American archaeological investigations and electric energy production. The visitor venter hours may be abbreviated in the off-season, so call ahead 434-454-4312, or check the park’s webpage here before you go.

Staunton River Battlefield State Park offers a 1.2-mile self-guided trail through the battlefield itself and a .75-mile nature trail with two wildlife observation towers overlooking wetlands, ride your bike, hike or walk this amazing park.

Click here to view our database of unforgettable experiences to be had at Staunton River Battlefield State Park.

Learn more about Staunton River Battlefield State Park here to help plan your day trip.

OCCONEECHEE STATE PARK

Fishing tournaments and all water related recreation abound
at Occoneechee State Park in Southside Virginia

There are family friendly events and activities throughout the year,
more so in the warmer months

Easy lake access for everyone from the playground area,
this is a popular shoreline fishing spot

This Virginia State Park wants you to experience the 24-hour access Virginia’s largest lake, three boat ramps open the door to 48,000 acres of fishing, boating and aquatic recreation. Occoneechee State Park has picnic shelters, an amphitheater, a playground, boat ramps, and a private concession offering boat rentals, so you can even rent a pontoon boat, or double kayak for the day.

There are just over 3 miles of walking trails wind through woodlands throughout the park. Two self–guided interpretive trails introduce visitors to the Terrace Garden-Occoneechee Plantation site and the Tutelo Birding-Wildlife Trail.

MIXED USE

The park also has 20 miles of mixed use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding to build those unforgettable memories together (trail guide here (PDF)).

Click here to view our database of unforgettable experiences to be had at Occoneechee State Park.

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

BONUS: Two more fantastic Virginia State Parks are within an hour's drive of Danville Virginia that are not located in the Piedmont Region, Fairy Stone State Park to the West and Smith Mountain Lake State Park to the North.

You can learn more about them, as we featured both of these parks in a previous article "Five Unforgettable Experiences All Within an Hour of Roanoke Part 2."

FIVE GREAT REASONS TO GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY

WITH UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

AT VIRGINIA STATE PARKS