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<div class="vw-place-intro">Virginia’s National Park Service destinations range from mountain drives and coastal barrier islands to battlefields, historic communities and long-distance trails. The National Park Service’s Virginia listing includes sites located wholly or partly in the state, as well as trails and landscapes that cross state lines. Use this guide to choose a starting point, then check each park’s official alerts and visit-planning pages before you go. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/state/va/index.htm
|title=Virginia
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref></div>

== Choose a park experience ==
<div class="vw-place-card-grid">
<div class="vw-place-card"><h3>Mountains and scenic drives</h3><p>For overlooks, hiking and a road trip through the Blue Ridge, explore [[Shenandoah National Park]], [[Skyline Drive]] and the [[Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia]].</p></div>
<div class="vw-place-card"><h3>Coast and Chesapeake landscapes</h3><p>For beaches, marshes and maritime scenery, consider [[Assateague Island National Seashore]] or places and routes connected to the Chesapeake Bay.</p></div>
<div class="vw-place-card"><h3>History and battlefields</h3><p>Virginia’s NPS sites interpret events ranging from the Civil War and the Revolution to early colonial history and the life of Booker T. Washington.</p></div>
<div class="vw-place-card"><h3>Trails and outdoor escapes</h3><p>The [[Appalachian Trail in Virginia]] is part of a long-distance route crossing multiple states. For a woodland break closer to the Washington region, see [[Prince William Forest Park]] or [[Great Falls Park]].</p></div>
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== Mountain parks and parkways ==
[[Shenandoah National Park]] follows the Blue Ridge through a landscape of wooded hollows, waterfalls and mountain views. [[Skyline Drive]] runs through the park, connecting overlooks and trail access points. The National Park Service describes Shenandoah as more than 200,000 acres of protected land; conditions and available facilities can vary, so check the park’s alerts and planning information before setting out. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/state/va/index.htm
|title=Virginia
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

The [[Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia]] is part of a scenic route extending through Virginia and North Carolina. It is a good fit for travelers who want to take in overlooks and mountain landscapes by car, with opportunities to stop along the way. Because road and facility conditions can change, check current NPS alerts before planning a drive. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm
|title=Blue Ridge Parkway
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

== Historic places and battlefields ==
In the Historic Triangle, [[Colonial National Historical Park]] brings together [[Historic Jamestowne]] and [[Yorktown Battlefield]], connected by the 23-mile [[Colonial Parkway]]. The sites interpret both the 1607 English settlement at Jamestown and the 1781 battle at Yorktown. For a visit, allow time for the separate park areas and check official guidance for current access, events and operating details. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/colo/
|title=Colonial National Historical Park
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

At [[Appomattox Court House National Historical Park]], visitors can explore the village where the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia took place on April 9, 1865. The park interprets the closing events of the Civil War and the questions of reunion and emancipation that followed. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/apco/
|title=Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

Other history-focused destinations include [[Manassas National Battlefield Park]], [[Petersburg National Battlefield]], [[Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park]] and [[Booker T. Washington National Monument]]. The NPS state listing also includes [[Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site]] and [[Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial]]. Each site has its own story and visitor arrangements; consult its official park page for details. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/state/va/index.htm
|title=Virginia
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

== Coast, rivers and forests ==
[[Assateague Island National Seashore]] spans Maryland and Virginia. Its barrier-island setting includes beaches, salt marshes, coastal bays and maritime forest. Since the park is shared across state lines, confirm which entrance and facilities suit your plans before traveling. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/asis/index.htm
|title=Assateague Island National Seashore
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

Near the capital region, [[Great Falls Park]] offers views of the Potomac River’s falls and the narrow Mather Gorge, along with the historic Patowmack Canal. [[Prince William Forest Park]] offers a different experience among wooded landscapes and streams, with opportunities for outdoor recreation. Check each park’s official information for current conditions and visitor guidance. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/grfa/
|title=Great Falls Park
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/prwi/
|title=Prince William Forest Park
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

== Trails and cross-state destinations ==
The [[Appalachian Trail in Virginia]] is part of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a route that passes through multiple states and is managed through cooperation among the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, state agencies and volunteers. For a hike, plan around the specific trail section, access point and current conditions rather than treating the trail as one single day destination. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm
|title=Appalachian National Scenic Trail
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

Some NPS listings for Virginia are broader than a single park within the state. The [[Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail]], for example, connects a multi-state corridor, while the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] and Assateague Island National Seashore also extend beyond Virginia. Use the official NPS Virginia listing to discover these and other designations, and the relevant park page to plan a visit. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/state/va/index.htm
|title=Virginia
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

== Planning your visit ==
The National Park Service’s Virginia page is a useful starting directory, but it includes different kinds of places—not just parks with a single entrance or visitor center. Before traveling, check the individual site’s alerts, maps, directions, operating information and any relevant rules. Hours, road access, facilities and fees may change, so confirm details with the official park page close to your visit. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/state/va/index.htm
|title=Virginia
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-22
}}</ref>

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== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [https://www.nps.gov/state/va/index.htm National Park Service: Virginia parks and sites]
* [https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm National Park Service: Find a Park]
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[[Category:Virginia attractions]]

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