Virginia Parks

There are so many beautiful parks throughout Virginia.  Here are a few of our favorites so far


Mount Trashmore
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Yes, Mount Trashmore.  It is literally a mountain of trash.  It is actually cooler than it sounds, it is a landfill that has been converted into a park.  It has a paved walking trail around the mountain which totals 2 miles, but the main draw is the mountain itself.  Running up and down with the dogs will definitely wear them out in no time.

First Landing State Park

Virginia Beach, Virginia

This is one of our favorites.  There are two entrances to this park.  One is for wooded/swampy hiking trails and one is for beach access.  Both are great, but they are very different, so it just depends what you are looking for.  The great thing about the beach access at this park is that dogs are allowed, which is great, because dogs are not allowed at the Virginia Beach Ocean Front during the peak season.  It is also not very crowded and the water is pretty calm, so it perfect for dogs who like to swim, but can be a little nervous around waves.  The trail entrance offers so many great hikes that go on for miles and miles.  They wind through pine forests and cypress swamps, some even take you by the beach.  What really takes the cake at this park though, is the camping.  The spots are huge, secluded and most have great ocean views.  You really feel as if you are the only people camping here, even if it's crowded.

Pleasure House Point Natural Area

Virginia Beach, Virginia

This is kind of a hidden trail, but well worth the visit.  It is more beautiful than any well-known park in the area, but that's how hidden gems always are, aren't they?  The sandy trails wind around the lynnhaven river and are so peaceful.  You will see a wide array of birds, but only about one other person while you are here.  It's a great place to walk the pups!

Westmoreland State Park

Montross, Virginia

Another great Virginia State Park!  What keeps me coming back to this park is the shark teeth.  If you take the hike to Fossil Beach, you will go down about a half mile trail to the shore line of the Potomac River.  The hike itself is fun, with a few steep inclines, but once you get to the beach, the fun really begins.  The shark teeth can tough to find, but if  you are patient, you are sure to find something.  The trails and the beach are both dog-friendly and fun for everyone!

Great Falls Park

Mclean, Virginia

Great Falls Park is located in McLean, VA and is part of the National Parks System.  It really is a sight to behold.  The trails to the falls are paved and make for a very easy walk, but if you keep going just a little bit further, you can find some really fun, harder rocky trails.  These trails lead to some great views and help you get away from the crowds a bit.  Admission is $10, but it is good for three days.  Definitely worth the visit!

Sandy Bottom Nature Park

Hampton, Virginia

This park definitely rivals state parks in the area.  It offers miles of hiking trails, boat rentals (which happen to be dog-friendly) and a dog park.  This park even offers camping.  The trails are never crowded and very well-kept.  You can also see many different species of birds, turtles and snakes along your walk!

York River State Park

Williamsburg, Virginia

Like most state parks in Virginia, this one too centers around a river.  The bank of the York River is quite lovely, though.  It is also called Fossil Beach, but I didn't find any fossils.  There were, however, huge driftwood logs that the dogs had a ball playing on.

High Bridge Trail State Park

Farmville, Virginia

Ok, so don't park where we parked.  We thought that we were parking at the closest access point to the bridge.  Yeah, that was not the case.  We ended up on an 11 mile hike, which was fine, it just would have been a little nice to know before hand so we could have brought snacks, water, etc.  Also, we have a senior dog, who luckily, has no clue how old she is, so it was fine.  There is a parking lot right next to the bridge, though.  The bridge itself is really pretty, situated 125 feet above the Appomattox River and has breathtaking views. There are benches along the way, so you can really stop and take it all in.  The hike in was easy too, even if it was a little long. 

These are just a few of our favorite hiking spots around Virginia, but we will keep adding to the list!