First Landing State Park
"Visitors from Virginia Beach come for an easy coastal escape with beaches, paddling, and shaded trails close to home. The park is also a popular day trip for families and outdoor enthusiasts."
First Landing State Park is one of Virginia’s most visited parks, offering a rare blend of bayfront beach, shaded forest, and tidal wetlands. Its location near Virginia Beach makes it ideal for swimming, kayaking, biking, and nature watching while still feeling secluded and scenic.
False Cape State Park
"Virginia Beach is the closest major city and the main gateway for visitors heading to the park's southern shoreline. Travelers from here often come for day hikes, beach access, and wildlife viewing."
False Cape State Park protects one of Virginia's last remaining undeveloped barrier island landscapes, offering a rugged escape for beachcombing, wildlife viewing, and backcountry camping. Its seclusion and natural diversity make it a favorite for visitors seeking solitude and a true coastal wilderness experience.
Machicomoco State Park
"Virginia Beach visitors come for a change of pace from oceanfront activity to tidal-river scenery. It is a good choice for a day of paddling and wildlife watching."
Machicomoco State Park offers a blend of cultural interpretation and outdoor recreation along the York River in Gloucester County. Its marshes, woodlands, and waterfront access make it a scenic destination for kayaking, wildlife viewing, and learning about the region’s Native history.
Dismal Swamp State Park
"Virginia Beach visitors are drawn to the park’s quiet swamp scenery and educational opportunities. It makes a strong day trip for those looking beyond the coast for nature experiences."
Dismal Swamp State Park offers a unique look at one of North Carolina’s most distinctive wetland landscapes, with opportunities to explore by canoe, kayak, and boardwalk. The park is especially valued for birdwatching, nature study, and its connection to the historic Dismal Swamp Canal.
Chippokes State Park
"Virginia Beach travelers visit for a change of scenery, especially for nature outings and heritage-focused day trips."
Chippokes State Park combines centuries of agricultural history with modern outdoor recreation along the James River. Highlights include the historic plantation landscape, a farm and forestry museum, picnic areas, camping, and access to quiet natural spaces.
York River State Park
"Virginia Beach travelers visit for a freshwater-and-tidal nature experience that feels very different from the oceanfront. It is a strong choice for paddlers and outdoor families."
York River State Park blends river access, salt marshes, and upland forest into a classic Coastal Virginia outdoor destination. Its calm waterways, rich fossil beds, and abundant birdlife make it especially popular with paddlers, anglers, and nature lovers.
Kiptopeke State Park
"Virginia Beach visitors often make the trip for a more relaxed shoreline experience and strong wildlife viewing. Kiptopeke is popular for families, anglers, and paddlers looking for a day trip."
Kiptopeke State Park combines sandy shoreline, calm bay waters, and excellent wildlife viewing in a compact coastal setting. Visitors come for swimming, fishing, paddling, and some of the best bird migration watching in Virginia.
Merchants Millpond State Park
"Virginia Beach visitors come for a change of pace from the coast, trading oceanfront activity for swamp exploration and quiet water. It is a good destination for nature-focused day trips."
Merchants Millpond State Park features a 760-acre millpond, blackwater swamp, and miles of quiet waterways that attract paddlers and birdwatchers. The park also offers camping, fishing, and forested trails in a remote, natural setting.