Located in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, Natural Tunnel State Park is a hidden gem. Many people come here for the 100-foot-tall Natural Tunnel, but they discover quickly that the more than 1,000-acre park has much more to offer.

Sky Meadows State Park is wrapping up the first phase of a transformative project: the full restoration of two original windows at Mount Bleak House. These are not replicas, but the actual panes installed when the home was built in the 1840s.

Fairy Stone State Park is the perfect destination if you're looking for a mountain getaway. While this 4,741-acre park is known for its unique fairy stones and sandy beach on Fairy Stone Lake, this Southwest Virginia gem has a lot more to offer.

Nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, Douthat State Park is one of Virginia's original six state parks. It offers year-round adventures with its 4,500 acres of forested wilderness, a 50-acre lake and more than 40 miles of trails.

While every Virginia State Park is unique, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park stands out from the rest. It primarily focuses on history and culture; however, you don't have to be a history buff to fall in love with this park.

Clinch River State Park is a hidden gem perfect for immersing yourself in nature. While it is under development, that doesn't mean this 640-acre, and growing, day-use park shouldn't be on your list of places to explore.

New River Trail State Park is a go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. This 57-mile linear park follows an abandoned railroad along the historic New River, offering one-of-a-kind views and a range of recreational opportunities.

Virginia is home to five International Dark Sky Parks, four of which are state parks. They earned their designations from DarkSky International for their exceptional quality of starry nights. However, light pollution is a growing concern.

Clinch River State Park continues to make exciting steps as it develops into Virginia's first blueway state park, blending river-based recreation and land conservation in a way no other state park in the commonwealth has done before.

Bikepacking along New River Trail State Park offers an immersive outdoor experience for riders of all skill levels. If you're not sure how to get started with planning, check out our Q&A with experienced bikepacker Misty Prewitt.