Virginia State Parks and Plantations

Virginia State Parks and Plantations
Virginia offers a spectacularly beautiful landscape, filled with diversity, along with wonderful historic sites that will take you back to the founding of the United States. Historic plantations, presidential homes and natural beauty await you. Virginia also offers a lifetime of outdoor activities. Year-round opportunities abound for fishing, hiking, biking, swimming, climbing and camping. Whether you are visiting Virginia for a weekend getaway or a family vacation, Virginia offers a perfect balance of natural beauty and cultural and historic richness.

Bear Creek Lake State Park

Bear Creek Lake State Park offers a multitude of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Conveniently located just an hour from Richmond, the Park is surrounded by the Cumberland State Forest. A number of hiking trails offer opportunities for biking, hiking, horseback riding or simply admiring the wildlife. The Park also features a 40-acre lake, which is great for crappie, bream, channel catfish and largemouth bass fishing. A boat ramp is available if you bring your own vessel, or you can rent a boat at the lake. The Park has campgrounds available, as well as cabins and a lodge for large groups. Cabins have fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces and phones. The lodge has six bedrooms, and will accommodate up to 16 people.

Bear Creek Lake State Park
22 Bear Creek Lake Road
Cumberland, VA 23040
(804) 492-4410
virginia.gov

First Landing State Park

The Chesapeake Bay is the perfect setting for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, and First Landing State Park is there for all of your outdoor enjoyment. The Park offers swimming, boating, biking, hiking and fishing. With 19 miles of trails, the Park offers more than enough outdoor adventure to keep you busy. Campgrounds are available, which include hookups, as well as shower and bathroom facilities. Cabins are also available, and feature fully equipped kitchens, outdoor grills, screened porches, fireplaces and decks. Guided and self-guided nature and history programs are available through the Park Service. The Park's Bay Store sells groceries, camping supplies, crabbing gear and fishing bait.

First Landing State Park
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 412-2300
virginia.gov

James River Plantations

Charles City County is one of the oldest counties in the United States and home to some of the most beautifully preserved plantations in Virginia. The James River Plantations, stretching out along the beautiful landscape of Virginia Route 5, consist of five plantations, four of which are open to the public for tours. The James River Plantations consist of Sherwood Forest, Westover, Shirley, Evelynton and Berkeley Plantations. Guided and self-guided tours are available, depending on when you plan to visit. In addition to being a stunning example of an early American plantation, the Sherwood Forest Plantation was also home to U.S. President John Tyler for the last 20 years of his life. Hours or operation vary, so each location should be contacted when planning your visit.

James River Plantations
Virginia Route 5
Charles City County, Virginia 23030
(804) 829-5377
jamesriverplantations.org

Article Written By Michael Evans

Michael Evans was born in Memphis, Tenn. He graduated from The University of Memphis, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication. His primary course of study was photography and film production. He first began writing professionally for iOwn Inc. in 1997, and was published by LensWork Magazine in 2003.

Write for Trails.com
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