I don’t know about you, but as the weather turns cooler, I often feel this mad rush to get active outside! Now more than ever people are discovering the simple joy of spending time in nature. One easy way to get outdoors without traveling far from home is to head to your local state park. In Virginia, we are lucky to have 41 diverse parks scattered throughout the state. In the past year and a half alone, we have discovered natural wonders, waterfalls, bald eagles, and hidden places on the water. Plus we love that Virginia State Parks are both super family and dog-friendly, with many easy, accessible trails. Read on to discover 3 Virginia State Parks in particular that we think are worth exploring--Natural Bridge, Shenandoah River, and Mason Neck State Parks. Plus find ideas for other fun things to do near each park. And while you travel around the state keep a lookout for all the unique LOVEWorks, like the one above we found at Natural Bridge State Park.
1. Natural Bridge State Park
2. Shenandoah River State Park 3. Mason Neck State Park Things to Know Before You Go Natural Bridge State Park
You don’t have to travel far off Interstate 81 near Lexington, Virginia to be wowed by Natural Bridge. This massive National Historic Landmark is located in Natural Bridge State Park, and can be reached from either exit 175 or 180A off the interstate. From the visitor center parking area, follow the roughly 100 steps winding down to creek level, where it’s not far on the Cedar Creek Trail before the “bridge” pans into view. Visitors can also check ahead of time to confirm if the shuttle is available for those with accessibility issues who need to bypass the steps.
You can’t help but feel small as you stroll directly under this 215 foot tall natural wonder. Don’t be surprised to catch a few naturally-filtered water droplets on your head! After you stare up in awe for a few minutes, check out more amazing views looking back once you have walked under the bridge. Enjoy a picnic while the kids look for wildlife along Cedar Creek. Then continue on down the trail past the Monacan Village to Lace Falls. Although the Monacan Village is currently closed to visitors (as of September 2021), it’s definitely a place to stop and learn about the Monacan Indian culture and history when it reopens. The bridge is considered sacred by the Monacan Indian Nation, often referred to as the Bridge of God.
Once you are done exploring Natural Bridge, spend a few hours at the Virginia Safari Park. We’ve taken the Safari Drive-Thru twice over the years, and each time we end up in fits of laughter. It’s an experience to drive around and feed animals like llamas and bull elk as they jockey for position outside your car (or in some cases they work as a team to block your car). One thing we have learned: bring an extra container or plastic bag for the big bucket of food and save most for “another round” - put only about an inch in your bucket each time you offer it! No matter how old your kids are, there is nothing worse than losing your entire bucket of food to a hungry animal in the first five minutes!
Shenandoah River State Park
Most people have heard of Shenandoah National Park, with its sweeping views and colorful fall foliage. But did you know that just over 8 miles from the Front Royal entrance to Shenandoah National Park is the entrance to Shenandoah River State Park? This often overlooked state park is a great spot to spend some time in nature as you hike along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. With more than 24 miles of trails, many marked as easy or moderate, it’s easy to find something for everyone. It was late March when we hiked the Bluebell Trail, but I can imagine how beautiful it would be later in the spring when the bluebells are in full bloom and blanket the ground from trail to river. Don’t miss a stop at Culler’s Overlook for this photo-worthy peek at the curvy river from above.
If you feel like staying longer, the park is home to 3 yurts, one of which is handicapped accessible, a handful of camping cabins, and sites for tent camping and RV’s no longer than 60 feet. As with most state parks, book early as spaces do fill up, especially in the fall, when visitors are heading to nearby Skyline Drive for spectacular fall foliage.
After your time in the park, head to Spelunker’s Frozen Custard and Cavern Burgers in Front Royal for a burger and shake. Since we had our dog with us, we enjoyed our Spelunker’s picnic-style at the nearby Front Royal Town Square. Also note that from Shenandoah River State Park, it’s only about a 20 minute drive to Luray Caverns, one of the places on our Virginia bucket list! Mason Neck State Park
By land or by water, visitors to Mason Neck State Park have a lot to explore. Located in Lorton Virginia, about 45 minutes from Washington, DC, the area and adjacent wildlife refuge is known as home to roughly 50 bald eagles. In fact, Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge was the first wildlife refuge to be established specifically to protect bald eagles. Depending on the time of year, you have a good chance to spot one of these iconic birds either on land or from the water. Head out by foot on the Kane’s Creek Trail to the Eagle Spur Trail. At the end of the trail is a viewing station with benches where you can sit and relax while taking in the view of Kane’s Creek. When we hiked during May, the trail was quite shaded and the rhododendrons were flowering! For water views, try the short Beach Trail or the longer Bayview Trail.
Another way to explore the park is on the water (there are no designated swimming areas in the park.) Join a guided tour in a rented kayak from the visitor center (advance reservations requested) or bring your own. We recently used the car-top boat launch with our personal kayaks to access Belmont Bay and Kane’s Creek. It wasn’t long before we spied an adult and juvenile bald eagle, along with a tree filled with snowy egrets. Always pay attention to the tides when entering smaller creeks like Kane’s Creek. You don’t want to get stuck when the tide is low.
Visitors to the area can also explore the adjacent Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. The wildlife refuge has several ADA compliant trails, including the paved, three-quarter mile Great Marsh Trail. We are looking forward to visiting on a sunny day in January or February, as the area is known to be a fabulous spot for winter bird watching and home to one of the largest great blue heron rookeries in the state.
Other Things to Know Before You Go
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