Virginia is crammed filled with Nationwide Park websites. There’s loads to see, from Nationwide Scenic Trails to Nationwide Historic Parks, Nationwide Monuments and Nationwide Seashores. Virginia is situated alongside the Atlantic coast and is without doubt one of the 13 authentic colonies. Due to this, there are quite a lot of historic websites that replicate the state’s fascinating historical past.

This listing of the highest 30 nationwide parks consists of Nationwide Park Service websites and common nationwide parks. Right here’s an outline of the very best Virginia nationwide parks, scenic trails, historic parks, army parks and nationwide monuments.

30 Virginia Nationwide Parks

The Greatest Nationwide Park in Virginia

1- Shenandoah Nationwide Park

Shenandoah Nationwide Park is the very best nationwide park to go to in Virginia and if you happen to solely have time for considered one of these websites, let it’s this one.

This park is a wonderland of nature, with fields of wildflowers, wooded areas, unimaginable vistas and waterfalls.

The park encompasses 200,000 acres of land dwelling to deer, black bears and so many different species.

For those who’d relatively not stroll (why wouldn’t you?), a street journey alongside Skyline Drive will reveal lots of this nationwide park’s treasures.

This greater than scenic drive follows the Blue Ridge Mountains and can also be the one public street within the Nationwide Park.

With greater than 500 miles (804 km) of trails, take pleasure in an epic expertise by bringing your tent and making an attempt some backcountry tenting.

Different Parks in Virginia

2- Nice Falls Park

The Nice Falls Park is a small (800 acres) Nationwide Park Service website that sits alongside the banks of the Potomac River.

The principle attraction is the falls, the place cascading water flows over jagged rocks down by way of the Mather Gorge.

Discover the Patowmack Canal, which displays the area’s early historical past.

Nice Falls Park is at 9200 Previous Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22102.

3- Prince William Forest Park

It is a peaceable place to attach with nature, initially opened in 1936 because the Chopawamsic Recreation Space.

The park was created to host youngsters’s aid camps throughout the Nice Melancholy.

In 1948 it was renamed Prince William Forest Park and is a wonderful place for walks, tenting, biking, and exploring nature.

Prince William Forest Park is at 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, VA 22172.

Nationwide Scenic Trails In Virginia

4- Appalachian Path

Chances are high you’ve most likely heard of this nationwide scenic path. The Appalachian Path is the longest climbing route on this planet.

It covers 2,200 miles (3540 km) and stretches from Spring Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

Virginia’s part of the mighty Appalachian Path covers 544 miles (891 km), greater than every other state.

You’ll be able to escape the town and head onto sections of this path for some much-needed time with nature.

The Shenandoah Nationwide Park (hold studying to search out out about this magnificence) is dwelling to 101 miles (162km) of this path.

Hop onto the path in Virginia and you’ll not be disillusioned.

5- Potomac Heritage Nationwide Scenic Path

This path has one thing for everybody. Historical past lovers, nature fans and mountain bikers will love the Potomac Heritage Nationwide Scenic Path.

This path features a community of greater than 700 miles (1126 km) and traces the historical past and geology of the Potomac River.

You’ll be able to attempt climbing sections of this trial, such because the 18.5-mile (29 km) Mount Vernon Path throughout the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Nationwide Historic Parks in Virginia

6- Appomattox Courtroom Home

The Appomattox Courtroom Home performs an essential function in Virginia historical past.

In 1865 on the ninth of April, the Military of Northern Virginia surrendered on the Appomattox Courtroom Home.

This was thought-about the tip of probably the most vital struggle the nation had ever confronted.

Whereas visiting the courthouse, you possibly can achieve a deeper understanding of the park’s historical past and tales.

Take a ranger-led guided tour the place you possibly can hear from skilled historians.

Appomattox Courtroom Home is at 111 Nationwide Park Dr, Appomattox, VA 24522.

7- Cape Henry Memorial

This memorial commemorates the primary landfall by colonists at Cape Henry. The colonists landed in 1607 and named the bay space Cape Henry.

Whereas on the memorial, go to the statue of Admiral Comte DeGrasse, who was elementary in America gaining independence from England.

Go to the Cape Henry Lighthouse close by.

Cape Henry Memorial is at Atlantic Ave, Virginia Seaside, VA, 23459.

8- Cedar Creek and Belle Grove Nationwide Historic Park

Historical past lovers will discover this historic park fascinating to be taught concerning the Civil Warfare by exploring the Cedar Creek Battlefields.

The park has three trails (1.7 miles in whole) to discover and picture your self on this floor centuries earlier than.

Take a self-guided driving tour of Cedar Creek to see the sleeping camps that troopers rested in and the placement of a few of the 1864 counterattacks.

Cedar Creek is in Middletown, VA, 22645.

9- Arlington Home, The Robert E. Lee Memorial

Robert E. Lee was the commander of the Military of Northern Virginia throughout the Civil Warfare, and Arlington Home is a Greek-style mansion that was the previous dwelling of Robert E. Lee.

Contained in the Arlington Home, you possibly can study Lee’s life, accomplishments, and household.

Be taught concerning the area’s historical past with the slave commerce and the army efforts undertaken throughout the Civil Warfare.

Arlington Home is at 321 Sherman Dr, Fort Myer, VA 22211.

10- Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Chesapeake Bay Watershed is unfold throughout six states and is a fantastic place to discover.

Uncover this unimaginable shoreline to your coronary heart’s content material whereas in Virginia.

Virginia Seaside, Fossil Seaside, Kiptopeke State Park, and First Touchdown State Park are some nice seaside areas to go to.

11- Civil Warfare Defences of Washington D.C.

The Civil Warfare Defences of Washington consists of 68 forts and 93 batteries armed by 800 cannons.

This nationwide historic park exhibits the advanced set of forts used all through the Civil Warfare.

Virginia’s Battery Kemble performed a major function within the Civil Warfare and the safety of settlements in Virginia.

12- Colonial Nationwide Historic Park

At this historic park, you possibly can see the Yorktown and Jamestown Battlefields.

These battlefields mark the placement the place the Revolutionary Warfare got here to a dramatic finish.

This historic park might be seen from the 23-mile scenic street that connects Yorktown and Jamestown by way of the York and James Rivers.

13- Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park

Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park on the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers is a small city that has been the location of quite a few historic occasions.

It was an essential Civil Warfare battlefield, the assembly place for the Niagara Motion, and in 1906 noticed civil rights leaders gathered there.

Wander across the city, stroll to ‘The Level’, the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, and climb as much as Jefferson Rock.

It is a incredible place to probe for the day when in Virginia.

Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park is at 171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.

14- Jamestown

Jamestown is a vital a part of the Colonial Nationwide Historic Park, the place you will get a really feel of the place the English colonisation of North America started.

The stays of the colony on show at Jamestown originate from 1607.

This colony belonged to the Virginia Indians, who had been finally pushed out of their homelands.

This was additionally the place lots of of Africans had been introduced as a part of the slave commerce.

There’s a lot to see and also you’ll must spend at the least a few hours (or extra) exploring this park and studying concerning the colonial historical past that defines a lot of Virginia’s previous.

Jamestown Nationwide Historic Web site is at 1368 Colonial Nat’l Historic Pkwy, Jamestown, VA 23081.

15- Cumberland Hole Nationwide Historic Park

The Cumberland Hole refers back to the go within the Cumberland Mountains that was utilized by pioneers.

The Cumberland Mountains are additionally a part of the Appalachian Mountains.

By heading to this historic park, you can also stroll the place 300,000 pioneers handed throughout the Civil Warfare.

Not solely does this park provide key perception into Civil Warfare historical past, however there are additionally spectacular views to be loved.

Whether or not you set out on foot or drive the four-mile stretch from the customer centre to Pinnacle Overlook, you’ll really feel overawed.

Nationwide Seashore in Virginia

16- Assateague Island

Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore is a fantastic place to discover.

This 37-mile (59 km) barrier island covers each the states of Maryland and Virginia, with the southern half belonging to Virginia.

There are lots of actions to expertise at Assateague Island, resembling biking, tenting, crabbing, climbing, horse driving, swimming and fishing.

Parkway in Virginia

17- Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles (754 km) by way of Virginia and North Carolina, connecting Virginia’s Shenandoah Nationwide Park with North Carolina’s Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park.

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is a wonderful street journey, and driving alongside Skyline Drive provides a few of the most scenic vistas.

The Nationwide Bridge at milepost 61.6 is a wonderful stop-off vacation spot.

This naturally occurring bridge is constituted of strong rock and is sort of spectacular.

Nationwide Monument in Virginia

18- Booker T Washington

Booker T Washington was an essential member of the African American group.

He’s thought-about the main Black educator all through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Having survived the cruelty of slavery, he later turned the primary principal of the Tuskegee Regular and Industrial College.

This nationwide monument takes you round his birthplace, the place you possibly can be taught extra about this inspiring man.

Booker T Washington Nationwide Monument is at 12130 Booker T Washington Hwy, Hardy, VA 24101.

19- Fort Monroe

This nationwide monument is actually one for historical past fans, the USA’s largest stone fort and the one moat-encircled fort nonetheless lively.

This fort has been used all through historical past, and in consequence, it is a fascinating place to find extra about native and nationwide historical past.

At greater than 400 years outdated, this fort displays an iconic piece of American historical past.

Fort Monroe is at 41 Bernard Street, Lee’s Quarters, Constructing 17, Hampton, VA 23651.

20- George Washington Birthplace

Situated in Westmoreland County in, Virginia, you possibly can most likely guess what this nationwide monument is all about.

The nationwide monument covers 550 acres of what was previously the Popes Creek Plantation.

Popes Creek Plantation was the previous ancestral dwelling of the Washington household. It was additionally the birthplace of George Washington, America’s founding father.

The Memorial Home Museum displays 18th-century plantation life.

You too can head out on the Nature Path or the Dancing Marsh Loop Path. Why not carry or lease bikes and cycle across the park too?

George Washington Birthplace is at 1732 Popes Creek Rd, Colonial Seaside, VA 22443.

Nationwide Historic Path in Virginia

21- Captain John Smith Chesapeake

British explorer Captain John Smith performed an essential function within the institution of America.

He started exploring the Chesapeake Bay again in 1608, and he documented the widespread American Indian communities who lived on the land.

At present this path provides a slice of historical past alongside a surprising pure panorama.

Lovely natural world await you in your go to to this historic path.

22- Overmountain Victory

This historic path follows the footsteps of the Patriots throughout the 1780 Kings Mountain Battle.

You most likely gained’t be capable of try the entire of this route in your go to because it’s 330 miles and goes by way of Tennessee, North and South Carolina, in addition to Virginia, however you can provide it go!

In Virginia, observe the Commemorative Motor Route, which has 87 miles of walkable pathways.

The Commemorative March is in September or October and this re-enactment is a wonderful strategy to see what occurred throughout the Patriot’s battle.

23- Star-Spangled Banner Nationwide Historic Path

The well-known Star-Spangled Banner Nationwide Historic Path is 560 miles (901 km) lengthy, main previous battlefields and landmarks of the Warfare of 1812.

Among the finest issues you possibly can see alongside the path embrace the Star-Spangled Banner Flag Home and Museum, the Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum and Harmony Level Lighthouse.

24- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Nationwide Historic Path

This historic path marks the purpose the place Basic Rochambeau’s military and Basic Washington’s Continental Military joined forces to combat in opposition to the British.

They adopted the historic path to Yorktown, the place they secured independence for America.

This route begins in New Hampshire and ends in Virginia.

The path connects a number of nationwide parks, historic and scenic trails in addition to cities.

Nationwide Navy Park in Virginia

25- Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania

This nationwide army park noticed 4 key battles happen inside its grounds – Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and the Wilderness Battle.

The Battle of Fredericksburg was one of the catastrophic battles of the Civil Warfare.

There have been round 20,000 casualties on this conflict alone.

Cease by the customer centre for the chance to be taught extra about these historic battles.

Afterwards, go to the Accomplice artillery and the Fredericksburg Nationwide Cemetery.

Memorial Parkway in Virginia

26- George Washington Memorial Parkway

That is the last word place for a scenic drive because it was designed particularly for a street journey.

The parkway isn’t only a random drive, it follows the websites that performed an essential half in American historical past and locations that protect pure wildlife habitats.

George Washington Memorial Parkway Headquarters is at 700 George Washington Memorial Parkway, McLean, VA 22101.

Nationwide Historic Web site in Virginia

27- Maggie L Walker Nationwide Historic Web site

Maggie L Walker devoted her life to the developments of the civil rights motion.

She performed a pivotal function within the empowerment of African Individuals and ladies all through the interval of the heinous Jim Crow legal guidelines.

When visiting this historic website, you possibly can take a tour, which lets you see the place she lived in addition to study her unimaginable and selfless actions.

Maggie L Walker Nationwide Historic Web site is at 600 N 2nd St, Richmond, VA 23219.

Nationwide Battlefield Park in Virginia

28- Manassas Nationwide Battlefield Park

This battle, also called the First Battle of Bull Run, resulted within the demise of hundreds of troopers.

This American Civil Warfare battle commenced when round 35,000 troops marched from Washington D.C.

Hike the paths across the battlefield, which at present are coated in timber and provide a peaceable escape, in contrast to throughout the Civil Warfare.

Manassas Nationwide Battlefield Park is at 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109.

29- Petersburg Nationwide Battlefield Park

This battlefield was an essential floor within the American Civil Warfare Siege of Petersburg and the location marks the longest army occasion of all the Civil Warfare.

The battle lasted 9 and a half months and greater than 70,000 individuals misplaced their lives.

The park has 13 totally different websites, together with three informative customer centres.

If you wish to discover the battlefield, you’ll want to go away the day to see every little thing.

Begin your journey on the Jap Entrance Customer Heart off Virginia Route 36 to be taught concerning the battlefield and choose up a map of the realm.

Petersburg Nationwide Battlefield Jap Entrance Unit Customer Heart is at 5001 Siege Rd, Petersburg, VA 23803.

30- Richmond Nationwide Battlefield Park

This battlefield was additionally of nice significance throughout the Civil Warfare and the park represents 13 American Civil Warfare Websites.

The park has three customer centres – the Chilly Harbor Battlefield Customer Heart, Fort Harrison Customer Heart and the Tredegar Iron Works guests’ centre.

The primary of those customer centres has an excellent show of Civil Warfare artefacts and an informative exhibition.

At Fort Harrison, you possibly can full a self-guided 20-minute path stroll from the customer centre.

You too can head to the American Civil Warfare Museum on the Iron Works.

Historical past buffs will love this fascinating museum.

Richmond Nationwide Battlefield Park’s Civil Warfare Customer Heart is at 470 Tredegar St, Richmond, VA 23219.