Fortunately, fall foliage is breathtaking throughout the state, so you won't have to go far. But, Virginia State Parks are a great place to start. With most parks offering hiking, biking, walking, and even horseback riding trails, as well as camping and cabin rentals, it's easy to make a whole weekend out of it. These 14 parks are sure to deliver the fall fireworks that make fall one of the best times of year here in Virginia. So if you're ready to start leaf-peeping, here are the 14 best Virginia state parks in the fall:
1. Hungry Mother State Park, Marion
Check out the views from Molly's Knob Trail at Hungry Mother State Park. Or take a canoe out on the water. Either way, you win when it comes to fall color shows. When it comes to the best Virginia state parks in the fall, Hungry Mother State Park takes the cake.
2. Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield
An autumn walk in the woods takes on a whole new level of beauty at Pocahontas State Park.
3. Grayson Highlands State Park, Mouth of Wilson
It's hard to top the views at Grayson Highlands State Park in any season, but fall brings an almost surreal level of beauty.
4. Douthat State Park, Millboro
It's hard to imagine that anything could make Douthat State Park more breathtaking.
Until fall hits…and you realize that anything is possible.
5. Shenandoah River State Park, Bentonville
This beautiful park covers 1,600 acres with more than 5 miles of riverfront along the Shenandoah River. You can just imagine how incredible the views are when fall is at its peak.
6. Wilderness Road State Park, Ewing
Even an early morning fog can't hide the beauty of fall in Southwest Virginia's Wilderness Road State Park.
7. Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane
This 1,800-acre park in the northwest corner of Fauquier County shows off the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains all year round. But with fall in the air, the reds, oranges, and golds set the landscape on fire.
8. Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin
Rent a bike, head out on a boat, or simply take a walk through this beautiful state park situated on Claytor Lake to enjoy some of the most beautiful fall leaf displays anywhere.
9. York River State Park, Williamsburg
York River State Park is known for its unique marine and plant habitats, as well as its rich cultural heritage from both Native American and European inhabitants. But nothing is more stunning than fall in this Williamsburg area park.
10. Westmoreland State Park, Montross
Stretching for 1.5 miles along the Potomac River, this beautiful park on the Northern Neck of Virginia gives many of our mountain settings a run for their money. The fall leaves are among some of the best at this waterfront park.
11. Natural Tunnel State Park, Duffield
While Natural Tunnel State Park is undeniably beautiful year-round, fall brings a special kind of charm to the trails and views this park is so well known for. As the leaves start to change, they offer a hint of the beauty that's yet to come.
12. Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles
Proving that the mountains don't hold the monopoly on fall foliage, Kiptopeke State Park offers beautiful views from forest to ocean. As an added bonus, fall brings in massive migrations of songbirds to the park.
13. Staunton River State Park, Scottsburg
Staunton River State Park sits nestled along the banks of the Dan and Staunton Rivers. Featuring 2,400 acres of woodlands, meadows, and river shores, this park is an ideal place to take a stroll or ride horseback under leafy canopies laced with all the stunning colors of fall.
14. Lake Anna State Park, Spotsylvania
At Lake Anna State Park, you can see the fall leaves from land or lake and know that you're getting one of the best views available.
This is the time of year when I am reminded just how lucky I am to live in Virginia. Do you agree that these are 14 of the best Virginia state parks in the fall? Where are some of your other favorite fall foliage viewing spots in the state? We would love to hear about them in the comments below!
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