List of Virginia state parks facts for kids
Breaks Canyon, a stunning natural wonder in Breaks Interstate Park.
Welcome to the amazing world of state parks in Virginia! These special places are like giant outdoor playgrounds where you can explore nature, learn about history, and have tons of fun. Virginia's state park system officially opened its doors on June 15, 1936. Back then, there were only six parks: Seashore State Park (which is now called First Landing State Park), Westmoreland State Park, Staunton River State Park, Douthat State Park, Fairy Stone State Park, and Hungry Mother State Park. Today, Virginia is proud to have 43 incredible state parks for everyone to enjoy!
Discover Virginia's State Parks
Virginia's state parks offer something for everyone, whether you love hiking, swimming, fishing, or just relaxing in nature. Each park has its own unique features and activities.
List of Virginia State Parks
Here is a list of the amazing state parks you can visit in Virginia:
| Name | Web- site |
Location | Size | Established | Status | What Makes it Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek Lake State Park | [1] | Cumberland | 329 acres (1.33 km2) | 1939 | Open | A great spot for camping and enjoying the lake. |
| Belle Isle State Park | [2] | Lancaster County | 892 acres (3.61 km2) | 1993 | Open | Explore the Rappahannock River and its wetlands. |
| Breaks Interstate Park | [3] | Breaks | 4,500 acres (18 km2) | 1954 | Open | Home to the "Grand Canyon of the South." |
| Caledon State Park | [4] | King George | 2,587 acres (10.47 km2) | 1974 | Open | Known for its amazing bald eagle population. |
| Chippokes State Park | [5] | Surry | 1,947 acres (7.88 km2) | 1967 | Open | A historic working farm with beautiful gardens. |
| Claytor Lake State Park | [6] | Dublin | 472 acres (1.91 km2) | 1951 | Open | Perfect for boating, swimming, and fishing on Claytor Lake. |
| Clinch River State Park | [7] | St. Paul | 640 acres (2.6 km2) | 2019 | Open | Two main areas are open for visitors to explore. |
| Culpeper Battlefields State Park | Culpeper | 1,700 acres (6.9 km2) | 2022 | Under Development | Still being built, but will be a great historical park. | |
| Douthat State Park | [8] | Millboro | 4,545 acres (18.39 km2) | 1933 | Open | One of the original six parks, with a beautiful lake. |
| Fairy Stone State Park | [9] | Stuart | 4,741 acres (19.19 km2) | 1933 | Open | Famous for its unique, cross-shaped "fairy stones." |
| False Cape State Park | [10] | Virginia Beach | 3,844 acres (15.56 km2) | 1968 | Open | A wild, undeveloped beach park, great for nature lovers. |
| First Landing State Park | [11] | Virginia Beach | 2,888 acres (11.69 km2) | 1933 | Open | The first place English colonists landed in 1607. |
| Grayson Highlands State Park | [12] | Mouth of Wilson | 4,502 acres (18.22 km2) | 1965 | Open | High mountain trails and wild ponies! |
| High Bridge Trail State Park | [13] | Farmville | 1,236 acres (5.00 km2) | 2006 | Open | A long trail built on an old railroad line, with a huge bridge. |
| Holliday Lake State Park | [14] | Appomattox | 560 acres (2.3 km2) | 1939 | Open | A peaceful park centered around a lovely lake. |
| Hungry Mother State Park | [15] | Marion | 3,334 acres (13.49 km2) | 1933 | Open | Another original park, known for its beautiful lake and mountains. |
| James River State Park | [16] | Gladstone | 1,561 acres (6.32 km2) | 1993 | Open | Great for paddling and fishing on the James River. |
| Kiptopeke State Park | [17] | Cape Charles | 562 acres (2.27 km2) | 1992 | Open | A popular spot for birdwatching and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. |
| Lake Anna State Park | [18] | Spotsylvania County | 3,127 acres (12.65 km2) | 1972 | Open | Offers lake access for swimming, boating, and fishing. |
| Leesylvania State Park | [19] | Woodbridge | 556 acres (2.25 km2) | 1975 | Open | A historic park on the Potomac River, great for picnics. |
| Machicomoco State Park | [20] | Gloucester | 645 acres (2.61 km2) | 2019 | Open | Focuses on the history of Native American tribes in the area. |
| Mason Neck State Park | [21] | Lorton | 1,856 acres (7.51 km2) | 1967 | Open | Another excellent place to see bald eagles and other wildlife. |
| Mayo River State Park | [22] | Spencer | 617 acres (2.50 km2) | 2009 | Open | Features the beautiful Mayo River for paddling and fishing. |
| Middle Peninsula State Park | [23] | Lancaster County | 408 acres (1.65 km2) | 2006 | Closed | Currently being protected for its natural beauty, not yet open to visitors. |
| Natural Bridge State Park | [24] | Natural Bridge | 1,540 acres (6.2 km2) | 2016 | Open | Home to a giant natural rock archway. |
| Natural Tunnel State Park | [25] | Duffield | 909 acres (3.68 km2) | 1967 | Open | Features a huge natural tunnel carved through a mountain. |
| New River Trail State Park | [26] | Fosters Falls | 1,217 acres (4.93 km2) | 1987 | Open | A long, scenic trail along the New River, great for biking. |
| Occoneechee State Park | [27] | Clarksville | 2,698 acres (10.92 km2) | 1968 | Open | Located on Buggs Island Lake, perfect for water activities. |
| Pocahontas State Park | [28] | Chesterfield | 7,919 acres (32.05 km2) | 1946 | Open | Virginia's largest state park, with many trails and a lake. |
| Powhatan State Park | [29] | Powhatan | 1,565 acres (6.33 km2) | 2003 | Open | Offers river access and trails in a peaceful setting. |
| Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park | [30] | Rice | 379 acres (1.53 km2) | 1937 | Open | Preserves the site of a Civil War battle. |
| Seven Bends State Park | [31] | Woodstock | 1,066 acres (4.31 km2) | 2004 | Open | Offers beautiful views of the Shenandoah River. |
| Shenandoah River Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. State Park | [32] | Bentonville | 1,619 acres (6.55 km2) | 1994 | Open | Great for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the Shenandoah River. |
| Shot Tower Historical State Park | [33] | Austinville | 10 acres (0.040 km2) | 1964 | Open | Features a historic tower used to make lead shot. |
| Sky Meadows State Park | [34] | Delaplane | 1,860 acres (7.5 km2) | 1975 | Open | Offers open fields, forests, and beautiful views. |
| Smith Mountain Lake State Park | [35] | Huddleston | 1,248 acres (5.05 km2) | 1967 | Open | A popular destination for water sports on Smith Mountain Lake. |
| Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park | [36] | Big Stone Gap | 1.5 acres (0.0061 km2) | 1943 | Open | Learn about the history and culture of Southwest Virginia. |
| Staunton River State Park | [37] | Scottsburg | 2,336 acres (9.45 km2) | 1933 | Open | One of the original parks, great for camping and river activities. |
| Staunton River Battlefield State Park | [38] | Randolph | 300 acres (1.2 km2) | 1955 | Open | Another important Civil War battlefield site. |
| Sweet Run State Park | [39] | Hillsboro | 884 acres (3.58 km2) | 2016 | Open | Still developing, but offers beautiful natural landscapes. |
| Tabb Monument | [40] | Amelia County | 1 acre (0.0040 km2) | 1936 | Open | A small historical site honoring a famous poet. |
| Twin Lakes State Park | [41] | Green Bay | 548 acres (2.22 km2) | 1939 | Open | Two lakes offer swimming, fishing, and boating fun. |
| Westmoreland State Park | [42] | Montross | 1,321 acres (5.35 km2) | 1933 | Open | One of the first parks, with cliffs overlooking the Potomac River. |
| Widewater State Park | [43] | Stafford | 1,089 acres (4.41 km2) | 2019 | Open | Offers access to the Potomac River for paddling and fishing. |
| Wilderness Road State Park | [44] | Ewing | 327 acres (1.32 km2) | 1993 | Open | Follows the historic path of early American pioneers. |
| York River State Park | [45] | Williamsburg | 2,531 acres (10.24 km2) | 1969 | Open | Known for its unique estuarine environment where fresh and saltwater meet. |
More to Explore
- List of national parks of the United States
- List of Virginia state forests
- List of Virginia Natural Area Preserves
- List of Virginia Wildlife Management Areas
Images for kids
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Douthat Lake, located in Douthat State Park.
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False Cape State Park's Back Bay.
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Fog on a lake in Hungry Mother State Park.
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A beautiful view from Sky Meadows State Park.
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List of Virginia state parks Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.