I grew up in Virginia but didn’t spend a lot of time hiking or camping. My family did not visit many state parks, and in fact, my only experience with Virginia State Parks was tagging along for my brother’s cross country meets at Pocahontas State Park.
Today, hiking, playing, and camping at Virginia State Parks are regular weekend activities for my family. The first time I took my children to Pocahontas, we played on the playground and I met a mom whose kids were older than mine. Her family loved state parks, and she gave me a rundown of some of her favorite playgrounds and trails at nearby parks. I’m grateful to her for not only passing along that information, but also for her obvious and contagious excitement about the Virginia State Park System. It inspired me, and now years later, I’m paying it forward by sharing my enthusiasm in hopes you all will visit these gems throughout our state.
When they were established in 1936, Virginia State Parks made national history. The Commonwealth of Virginia was the first state to open six parks on the same day, each offering outdoor recreation while protecting and managing natural and historical resources. The offerings and number of Virginia State Parks have grown tremendously, and these sites remain a fantastic opportunity for outdoor exploration.
There are forty-two Virginia State Parks from the mountains to the coast, and these treasures have a lot in common. Let’s start with parking. When you arrive, you’ll check in at the ranger station and pay the parking fee, which runs from $5 to $10. There are some parks that have self-payment for parking. In this case, there’s no ranger, but the parking fee still applies. If you need directions or help in any way, and there is a self-payment station, rangers can be found in the park’s visitor’s center. When visiting a park for the first time, don’t hesitate to ask the rangers questions. We’ve learned about some of our favorite trails and programs from asking questions at the ranger station.
If you’re new to visiting Virginia State Parks, I recommend the Nature Backpacks Program, available at many public libraries in the Richmond region. Contents of the backpack include binoculars, bird identification books, and a parking pass. On the other hand, if you’re a state park enthusiast like me, the Virginia State Parks pass will be your most economical option, as you can visit the park an unlimited amount of times throughout the year. You can buy a pass from the park office or contact station or at dcr.virgiania.gov.
While each state park has its own offerings, you’ll find geocaching, Trail Quest, and the Junior Ranger Program at all of them. Geocaching is a great way to keep children engaged while hiking, and it teaches them how to use a compass. Using the free Geocaching App (available wherever you download apps), you will search for and find geocaches, which are small containers filled with trinkets and a log book to sign. Next, participate in the Trail Quest Program and earn pins for visiting different parks. This is a free way to encourage your family to explore new parks and trails. Lastly, the Junior Ranger Program allows park visitors to earn a badge while they complete nature-based activities throughout the park.
Since Virginia is home to many state parks, there are families who have made it their mission to visit all of them. This might require more time and driving than you’re up for this summer, so let’s start closer to home. Here are my top four Virginia State Parks that are close enough to Richmond for a fun-filled day trip, and if you’re so inclined, you can spend the night.
Chippokes State Park
Located in Surry County and just over an hour from Richmond, Chippokes State Park is one of my family’s favorite day trips. Hunting for shark teeth on the James River, playing on the playgrounds, and exploring the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum are just a few highlights of the park.
We typically start our adventure at the playground and let our kids get their wiggles out before we make our way to the beach. Much less crowded than other beaches in Virginia, the beach at Chippokes is peaceful, which makes it easier to keep a watchful eye on little ones. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is short and paved until you reach the sand. Remember to bring a wagon to haul items from the car to the beach to save time and effort.
My family loves to find shark teeth and chesapecten jeffersonius (a fossilized form of an extinct scallop and officially the state fossil), so be sure to pack a sifter and buckets. If anyone in your crew is sensitive to a rocky beach, consider packing water shoes, too.
To add an educational aspect to your adventure, tour the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum, one of the oldest continuously used farms in the United States. Not only can visitors see the evolution of various farming tools, but there are also animals on the farm, including a pig, goat, donkey, cow, and sometimes others, depending on when you visit. Both self-guided and ranger tours are available.
To wrap up this day trip, ride the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry from Surry to Williamsburg. It is free to ride the ferry, and my children love to take in views of the shoreline during the twenty-minute trip.
Not ready to head home? At Chippokes State Park, you can reserve a cabin or yurt ($140 to $185 April through October nightly). Do this well in advance. Tent camping is easier to book; sites run from $35 to $70 for Virginia residents.
Why It’s a Fave: With a diversity of offerings – beach fun, hiking, hands-on history, and farm animals – you can make a trip to Chippokes an entire weekend excursion while paying only a low parking and camping fee. Talk about bang for your buck – imagine paying admission for a museum, petting farm, garden, and beach parking separately!
Pocahontas State Park
As both the largest Virginia State Park and the closest to RVA (under a half hour for most families), Pocahontas is a must-do for all Richmond families. Whether you’re adventuring with toddlers or teens, there’s an activity for you.
The Pocahontas State Park Aquatic Center has a wet deck and baby pool for younger children, a kid’s play area, large slides for older children, and three more pools. Lifeguards are on duty at the Aquatic Center and admission fees apply. This is a popular summer outing for families, and for good reason.
If you need something more tranquil, try Bright Hope Butterfly Garden, a monarch waystation (a place that provides monarch butterflies with the resources they need to survive and reproduce). We love to pack a picnic and enjoy our lunch in the beautiful garden area while watching pollinators. You can bring in coolers, snacks, blankets, and chairs.
With nearly ten miles of trails, Pocahontas offers hikes for novices through experts. With my children in tow, I especially like Beaver Lake and the Forest Exploration Trail. Beaver Lake is 2.5 miles with a floating dock and scenic lake views. The Forest Exploration Trail is a favorite thanks to Split Rock, an enormous rock for children to slide or climb.
While Pocahontas may not be the first place to come to mind on a rainy day, the new Discovery Center is ideal for entertaining children when it’s cold or rainy. The spacious indoor area features hands-on learning activities, a tent and kayak to inspire imaginative play, and native wildlife.
Because Pocahontas is nearby, it is the park I recommend most for families who want to try camping for the first time. If someone gets homesick, or you forget something essential, it’s nice to be close to home!
\Of course, proximity isn’t the only reason I suggest camping at Pocahontas. The campsite has a playground, camp store, paved loop for scooters or bikes, and a path that leads right to the Aquatic Center. Plus, campsites with electricity are available, which is a huge factor for me when camping with kids. During the summer months, being able to bring and use our fan makes our experience much more pleasant. You will need to reserve a camp site in advance ($35 to $99).
Why It’s a Fave: Pocahontas State Park has several trails that are perfect for kids. When you stop to play in the creek while hiking the Beaver Lake Loop or climb up and slide down Split Rock on the Forest Exploration Trail, kids experience the simple pleasures of nature and spending time outdoors.
Powhatan State Park
When we want to escape from everyday hustle and bustle, Powhatan State Park is our first choice. Located on the James River, it’s quiet and peaceful. A highlight of the park is a hike-in or canoe-in campground, accessible via the James River with nine primitive (no electricity) campsites. If you’re like me and electricity is a must while camping, there are campsites with electricity at the park as well.
I particularly like the large picnic area, located directly beside the playground. State park picnic pavilions are available for reservation, and this would be a great venue for an outdoor birthday party or large family gathering.
To make the most of Powhatan State Park’s location on the river, try canoeing, kayaking, fishing (with a Virginia freshwater fishing license), or floating down the James. There is no equipment rental, so you’ll have to bring your own float, canoe, or kayak.
Since this is one of the less busy parks on my list, it’s great for hiking with children, as you won’t have to worry about getting in anyone’s way. While we didn’t complete the entire hike, the River Trail along the James River was a go-to hike when my kids were toddlers. Something about walking the trail while listening to and viewing the water was calming for all of us.
Why It’s a Fave: Both peaceful and rejuvenating, Powhatan State Park’s scenic river views help you appreciate the James. And, unlike other places known for river views and low-key play, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a parking place.
York River State Park
Just over an hour east of Richmond, York River State Park in Williamsburg features a nature center, trails, two playgrounds, and a beach.
Begin at the nature center to learn more about the history of the area, including Native American and Colonial artifacts. There are also fish and crabs – the species of the coastal estuary environment – in the nature center. To learn even more about the history of the park, consider taking a ranger-guided kayak trip. Check events and programs on the website to register for one of these educational experiences. While most programs at Virginia State Parks are free, the canoe and kayak tours range from $9 to $13 per person.
Hike to Fossil Beach via the Mattaponi Trail, about 1.2 miles. During the hike you’ll see a pond, cross a boardwalk over a marsh, and ultimately finish at a secluded beach on the York River where you can hunt for fossils.
Unlike Chippokes, you are not likely to find shark teeth at York River, but you will find unique fossils and shells, including the turritella snail, which my ten-year-old daughter adores because she says it looks like a unicorn horn.
A picnic is easy at York River State Park! There is a large, covered picnic pavilion at the start of the Mattaponi Trail near the nature center. There are also picnic tables near both playgrounds and the parking areas, which is convenient for those bringing large coolers. If you’d rather grill than pack sandwiches, there are grills at the picnic areas as well. Important to note: Alcohol is only permitted in private areas, like inside a cabin or camping unit, or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. This goes for all Virginia State Parks.
Why It’s a Fave: One of the best tips I ever heard for hiking with children was to have an end destination to keep them motivated. While the hike to Fossil Beach isn’t too long, I find my kids never lack motivation to get there because they look forward to playing in the sand and finding fossils. This is one hike your entire family will love!
I hope reading this has inspired you to visit a Virginia State Park this summer! If you go, keep this in mind – visitors are obligated to leave no trace. According to park policy: clean up after yourself, leave the park as you found it, and leave what you find in nature. This means you might have to check the kids’ pockets or remind them to put those shells back on the beach, but no worries – they will always treasure the memories you’ve made as a family!
