Virginia is for Lovers

  • Welcome

    Welcome

    • About Virginia
    • Welcome Centers
    • VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS
    • Accessible Travel
    • International Visitors
    • Weather And Climate
    • Transportation
    • Related Links
    • Weddings In Virginia
    • LGBT Travel
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS SHOP

    Follow Us

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide
    Order Now
  • Events
  • Things To Do

    Things To Do

    • Family Fun
    • Historic Sites
    • Outdoors & Sports
    • THEME PARKS & ZOOS
    • Music
    • WINERIES, BREWERIES, & DISTILLERIES
    • BEACHES
    • CULTURAL HERITAGE
    • State Parks
    • SPAS
    • DINING
    • SHOPPING
    • TOURS
    • The Arts
    • MUSEUMS
    • CAVERNS
    • Golf
    • National Parks
    • LOVEworks

    Follow Us

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide
    Order Now
  • Events

    Events

    • AFRICAN-AMERICAN
    • ANTIQUE SHOWS/FLEA MARKETS
    • ARTS & CRAFTS
    • CIVIL WAR
    • CULINARY EVENTS
    • ECO-FRIENDLY
    • EXHIBITS
    • FALL
    • FAMILY FUN
    • FESTIVALS
    • HISTORY/HERITAGE
    • HOLIDAYS
    • July 4th
    • MUSIC
    • PERFORMANCES
    • SPORTING
    • Spring
    • STATE PARKS
    • VIRGINIA GREEN
    • WINE/BEER

    Follow Us

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide
    Order Now
  • Places To Stay

    Places To Stay

    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • COTTAGES & CABINS
    • INNS
    • RESORTS
    • PET FRIENDLY
    • CAMPING
    • HOTELS & MOTELS
    • LODGES & GUEST RANCHES
    • Vacation Homes & Rentals
    • VIRGINIA GREEN

    Follow Us

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide
    Order Now
  • Deals

    Deals

    • DEALS & DISCOUNTS
    • FAMILY FUN PACKAGES
    • FOOD AND WINE PACKAGES
    • HISTORY DEALS
    • SPRING PACKAGES
    • MILITARY DISCOUNTS
    • ROMANCE PACKAGES
    • TRAVEL PACKAGES

    Follow Us

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide
    Order Now
  • Store
  • Maps

    Maps

    • Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia - Blue Ridge Highlands
    • Central Virginia
    • Chesapeake Bay
    • Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
    • Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads
    • Southwest Virginia - Heart of Appalachia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Virginia Mountains

    Follow Us

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    2018 Virginia Travel Guide
    Order Now

Blue Ridge Highlands State Parks

Blue Ridge Highlands Region = Blue Ridge Mountains Adventures

Claytor Lake State Park

Claytor Lake State Park

Claytor Lake State Park in the New River Valley covers 4,500 acres and is 21 miles long. The lake was formed in 1939 by the Appalachian Power Company as a hydroelectric plant before it became a recreation area in 1946.

Outdoor adventures include:

  • Boating,
  • Freshwater fishing and fishing pier
  • Swimming
  • Trails for hiking
  • Rent rowboats, canoes and motorboats.

Fairy Stone State Park

Home of the mysterious fairy stones, which are shaped like St. Andrew's and Roman crosses, Fairy Stone State Park is located in Patrick County.

Outdoor adventures include:

  • Trails for biking, hiking, horseback
  • Swimming
  • Freshwater fishing
  • Rent rowboats, paddleboats and canoes
  • Motorboats are permitted on the reservoir only.

Grayson Highlands State Park

In Grayson County bordered on the north by Jefferson National Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park is near Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain on Route 58. These mountains are the highest in the state at about 5,700 feet.

Outdoor adventures include:

  • Trails for mountain biking, hiking, horseback
  • Freshwater fishing
  • Outdoor programs
  • Rent horses by reservation

Hungry Mother State Park

Hungry Mother State Park in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains has beautiful forests and an 108-acre lake with a sandy beach! Legend says the park got its name from a hungry child looking for his mother!

Outdoor adventures include:

  • Trails for biking and hiking
  • Boating (except gasoline motors)
  • Freshwater fishing and pier
  • Swimming
  • Rent rowboats and paddleboats
 

New River Trail State Park

The New River Trail State Park follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way that parallels the New River for 39 miles. Another Rails to Trail Program, the park goes through Grayson, Carroll, Wythe and Pulaski counties with plenty of Native American history, railroad and mining history.

Outdoor adventures include:

  • Trails for biking, hiking, horseback along the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail
  • Boating (including motorboats)
  • Freshwater fishing
  • Rent canoes, jonboats, kayaks and horses.

For more information on wildlife management areas and natural preserves, please visit the Department of Conservation & Recreation!

  • Virginia State Parks Directory
  • Department of Conservation & Recreation

Hot Topics

  •  Colonial Williamsburg

    Spring in Virginia
  • Hiking at Massanutten
    May in Virginia

    Hiking
  • Daffodil Festival
    Spring Festivals

    Cool Places for Kids

More Ideas

  • Craft Beer
    Things to Do
    Virginia Craft Beer
  • Virginia wine
    Things to Do
    Virginia Wine
  • Craft Beer
    Things to Do
    Virginia Distilleries
  • Culinary Virginia
    Things to Do
    Food in Virginia
  • LOVEwork at Cape Charles
    Things to Do
    LOVEworks
  • Shenandoah National Park
    Things to Do
    National Parks

Shop with us for merchandise and gifts

Shop Virginia

We Need Your Feedback

Take our Survey

Travel Updates

Success! Get ready to start receiving Virginia.org travel updates.

Find out what's going on around Virginia. Subscribe to the Virginia eNewsletter.

Please select as many options as you are interested in.

About Va
  • Virginia Travel Blog
  • Welcome Centers
  • Cities & Localities
  • Transportation
  • Virginia Is For Lovers
Contact Us
  • Media/Press Room
  • Send Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Travel Industry
  • Travel Guide Order
Travel
  • Group Planners
  • Sports Marketers
  • Meetings Professionals
  • Virginia Green Travel
  • Accessible Travel
Additional Links
  • Virginia Is For Lovers Store
  • Add/Update Your Listings
  • Website Survey
  • Site Map
  • Virginia is for Lovers
  • DiscoverAmerica.com
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • France
  • Germany
  • England
  • Korea
  • China
  • Japan

Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia ● © 2017 Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900, Richmond, VA 23219
For Virginia citizen and business services visit www.Virginia.gov. ● Virginia Economic Development Partnership visit www.YesVirginia.org.