If you have free time over the Thanksgiving holiday, why not head for one of Virginia’s state parks? With the opening of Hayfields State Park in October, the commonwealth now has 44 state parks, in every region from the mountains to the coast.
These parks are a treasure. They protect valuable properties from development while offering them for the enjoyment and enrichment of the people of Virginia — and for many who live somewhere else but travel here to savor our natural and historical riches.
Visiting a state park is a great way to burn off some calories, enjoy the outdoors with family and friends, have new experiences and maybe learn something about Virginia’s history and natural wonders. Most parks charge a small fee for entry or parking — a bargain when you consider what they offer in the way of recreation, education and a way to experience nature.
We can be thankful that Virginia’s leaders have been working for nearly a century to build an outstanding state park system, preserving properties rich in nature and history for future generations.
Back in 1936, Virginia made news by opening its original six state parks on the same day.
One of those was Seashore State Park on the Chesapeake Bay in northern Virginia Beach. Today we know it as First Landing State Park; the name was changed in 1997 to honor the English colonists who landed at Cape Henry before establishing Jamestown.
First Landing now is Virginia’s most visited state park. The state park that sees the fewest visitors is also in Virginia Beach, False Cape, on a spit of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay.
Having the most-visited and least-visited state parks in the same city is testament to the diversity of the state park system. First Landing, in the midst of a dense urban area, offers easy access. There’s a long stretch of sandy beach for swimming, recreation and watching passing ships. The park offers boat ramps, camping and miles of hiking trails that wander among bald cypress swamps, lagoons and maritime forests. Rich in history and nature, the park has ample educational activities.
By contrast, False Cape State Park is a remote refuge. You can’t drive there. You hike, paddle or take a tram tour from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Camping is primitive. Oh, and don’t try to hike or bike in the park now — the trails are closed until April. But if you love an unspoiled beach with a great diversity of wildlife, this is the place to go.
The 44th state park, Hayfields, is on 1,034 acres in Highland County, between the scenic Bullpasture and Jack Mountains. With wooded mountain slopes, valleys that have been home to pastures and fields, and the Bullpasture River flowing through, it has abundant natural and recreational opportunities. An 1800s farmhouse and other structures bring the area’s history to life.
Hayfields is the fourth state park to open under Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who has commendably continued to build the park system that’s a worthy bipartisan legacy.
No. 43, dedicated last year, is Culpeper Battlefields State Park, rich with history of four major Civil War battles and offering many recreational possibilities. No. 42 is Sweet Run, in the hills of Loudoun County, with mountain views and miles of trails for hikers and horses. Clinch River, No. 41, in Wise County, is being developed as the state’s first “blueway” state park, offering plenty of river access for paddlers.
Another recently opened state park worthy of visiting is Machicomoco in Gloucester County, formally commemorated in 2021. It is the first state park focused on telling the story of the native people who lived here before settlers from Europe arrived.
And the other state parks that opened on that historic day 90 years ago were Westmoreland, Staunton River, Douthat, Fairy Stone and Hungry Mother. If you’d like to visit them, or any of the others in the system, visit the state parks website at dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks.
