Four State Parks to Visit in Hampton Roads

First Landing State Park - Photo: visitvirginiabeach.com

Virginia is known for its beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife. With Memorial Day weekend ahead of us, plan a visit to a local state park to enjoy some time in nature.

Chippokes Plantation State Park

Once the site of the few legal distilleries in the Commonwealth, Chippokes Plantation State Park borders the creek named for an Indian Chief who befriended early English settlers. The park is also one of the oldest working farms in the United States.

Outdoor adventures include:

Trails for biking, hiking, horseback Other

Boating

Olympic-size and Kiddie Swimming Pools

Freshwater fishing

False Cape State Park

In the 1800s, False Cape was known as a "ship's graveyard." One of the area's first communities, Wash Woods, was developed by survivors of a shipwreck! Access to the park is by foot, tram or boat, and primitive camping is available with prior registration. The park is next to Little Island City Park in Virginia Beach.

Outdoor adventures include:

Trails for biking and hiking

Motorboats are permitted on the Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

First Landing State Park

First Landing State Park is the state's most popular park! In 1607, 100 English settlers landed there and established the first elective government before moving on up to James River to establish Jamestown.

Outdoor adventures include:

Trails for biking and hiking

Fishing

Swimming in the Chesapeake Bay

Rent kayaks

York River State Park

York River State Park was once Taskinas Plantation and the site of a 17th-century public tobacco warehouse where local planters stored their crops before being shipped. The York River runs along its border.

Outdoor adventures include:

Trails for biking, hiking, horseback

Fishing - both freshwater and saltwater

Motorboats are allowed on the river

Rent rowboats, paddle boats, canoes

*Please note, with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, certain areas may not currently be accessible. Visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/ for current restrictions.

For a complete list of Virginia State Parks, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/find-a-park or https://www.virginia.org/stateparks/