Along the Virginia–North Carolina border, the Mayo River winds through a landscape rich in natural beauty and cultural history. This scenic waterway is now the centerpiece of a growing conservation and recreation effort that spans two states. 

Virginia is home to a diverse array of state parks, each offering unique natural landscapes, rich history and hands-on educational experiences, making them perfect extensions of the classroom.

James River State Park is teaming up with Blue Ridge Overland Gear again for its annual Roof Top Tent Rally. The special event provides a unique opportunity to connect with fellow overlanders or explore the overlanding lifestyle for the first time.

While many visitors come to Natural Bridge State Park to see the bridge for themselves, they quickly learn that this 1,635-acre park has much more to offer, from Dark-Sky programs to hikes with stunning mountain views.

Claytor Lake State Park is a go-to destination for water enthusiasts. Its 4,500-acre lake offers roughly 4 miles of lake frontage, including a sandy beach. While the water draws many people in, it's not all this park offers.

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.

Whether you enjoy hiking, boating, biking, fishing or simply relaxing, Bear Creek Lake, James River, Lake Anna and Powhatan state parks are all within an hour's drive of Charlottesville, making them perfect for day trips or weekend getaways.

Mountain bikers have a new riding opportunity in Southwest Virginia. Hungry Mother State Park has opened 3 miles of its new Raider's Run Mountain Bike Trail System. The remaining 2 miles are under construction and will open in the spring of 2025.

There is no shortage of activities for visitors at New River Trail. The 57-mile linear park has more than 10 different access points; however, the Foster Falls area serves as a great activity hub no matter your interest.

We are proud to be the first location in Virginia to offer the EnChroma colorblind viewfinder. It's equipped with special lenses from EnChroma designed to help those with red-green Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) experience colors.