Trail Mix: Virginia’s Outdoor Escapes
One of the great draws of Virginia for outdoor enthusiasts is its wide variety of landscapes in a compact geographic area. From the center of the Commonwealth, residents can head west for mountain adventures, southeast for wide, sandy beaches, and east for water adventures along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
George Washington National Forest, Rockingham County
Old Rag Mountain in Madison County is the most popular destination in Shenandoah National Park.
Natural Bridge, Rockbridge County
Great Falls Park, administered by the National Park Service, protects portions of the Potomac River and its banks, including the famous Great Falls themselves. The park also includes the remains of the Patowmack Canal, designed to bypass rapids upstream of Washington, D.C.
Colonial Beach
Westmoreland State Park protects part of the Potomac River waterfront in Westmoreland County, adjacent to the former home of George Washington. While cabins at the park are currently closed for renovation (expected to be completed in 2026), visitors can still enjoy hiking trails, fishing, boating, and other water sports.
Sky Meadows State Park, Fauquier County
Beagle Gap Trail in Albemarle County provides access to Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail outside of the park’s dedicated entry points. The 1.2-mile, out-and-back hike offers views of the park and Afton Mountain from its overlook.
Lake Anna, Louisa County
The “Triple Crown” of Virginia hikes in Roanoke County includes three popular scenic trails along the Appalachian Trail — Dragon’s Tooth (below), Tinker Cliffs, and McAfee Knob.
Shenandoah National Park
Virginia boasts more than 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail, more than any other state and nearly a quarter of the trail’s total length.
