Virginia is a beautiful state that was meant to be explored. Boasting both mountains and coastline, Virginia’s terrain is truly unique, and one of the best ways to appreciate it is by embarking on a scenic road trip. Fortunately, we’ve devised a road trip itinerary that will allow you to marvel at beautiful scenery at every turn. So load up the car, pack snacks, and don’t forget your camera as you explore the scenic road trip in Virginia that will make you fall in love with the beauty of our state all over again.
- The Channels Natural Area Preserve
Dale Blankenship / Google The Channels Natural Area Preserve, 4250 Hayters Gap Rd, Saltville, VA 24370, USA
Rosa de Costa / Google Our beautiful journey begins in Abingdon, Virginia, where you’ll find the Channels Natural Area Preserve. It’s here that you’ll discover maze-like pathways that lead around ancient rock formations. It’s best to arrive early in the morning, as there are just a handful of small parking lots, and they can fill up quickly. Learn more about these otherworldly rock formations hiding on the slope of Clinch Mountain.
- Grayson Highlands State Park
Virginia State Parks / Google Grayson Highlands State Park, 829 Grayson Highland Ln, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr We’ve made our way into Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, where we’ll hike some of the highest-elevation trails in Virginia and potentially be greeted by wild mountain ponies. With these charming attributes and more, Grayson Highlands State Park is easy to love. Virginia’s Highlands are characterized by mountain meadows, wildflowers, impressive peaks, and… ponies?! It’s true! Check out this video from YouTube user Christopher Hu: If you’re ready to call it a night, you might consider camping at Grayson Highlands State Park. Otherwise, the journey continues!
- Fairy Stone State Park
Virginia State Parks / flickr Fairy Stone State Park, 967 Fairystone Lake Dr, Stuart, VA 24171, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr If you thought Grayson Highlands was a magical destination, just wait until you hear the name of our next stop: Fairy Stone State Park. Named after the uniquely-shaped stones you can find in the soil, this state park is a treasure trove of recreational opportunities. If you have some time, why not rent a canoe and explore the park from the water? Plus, there are plenty of cabin rentals available, making this a great place to stay the night before continuing eastward.
- Great Dismal Swamp
c w / flickr Great Dismal Swamp, North Carolina 27976, USA
Tracy Hill / Google We’ve officially left the mountains and are headed for the coastline! Great Dismal Swamp is shared by Virginia and North Carolina, and it’s perhaps one of the most eerily beautiful landscapes in the region. The area measures an incredible 111,000 acres and is famous for its “floating” cypress trees. One of the best trails for experiencing this beautiful wild space is called the Washington Ditch Trail. Take a virtual tour of the Great Dismal Swap c/o The Nature Bus on YouTube:
- First Landing State Park
Virginia State Parks / flickr First Landing Beach, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr We’ve made it to the beach! First Landing State Park is one of the most historically significant parks in Virginia. Located on Cape Henry, this 2,800-acre park offers a little bit of everything: beaches for walking, waves for splashing in, and boardwalk trails that will lead you through maritime forests and under Spanish moss. In fact, there are 20 miles of trails in this park, and you won’t want to rush through them! You can plan to camp here if you’re partial to waterfront campsites in Virginia. Just don’t forget your bug spray!
- Cape Charles
Cape Charles Virginia’s Cape / Facebook Cape Charles, VA 23310, USA
Cape Charles Virginia’s Cape / Facebook To reach Cape Charles, you’ll be taking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and it’s quite an adventure! When you arrive to Cape Charles, you’ll be enchanted by this beachfront community at the southern end of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. From the Victorian-era architecture to the beautiful beachfront, there’s a lot to love about this final destination on our scenic road trip in Virginia.
What are your thoughts on this scenic road trip in Virginia? Is this a trip that you would take? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! Be sure to check out the customizable Google Map and plan your adventure!
Dale Blankenship / Google
The Channels Natural Area Preserve, 4250 Hayters Gap Rd, Saltville, VA 24370, USA
Rosa de Costa / Google
Our beautiful journey begins in Abingdon, Virginia, where you’ll find the Channels Natural Area Preserve. It’s here that you’ll discover maze-like pathways that lead around ancient rock formations. It’s best to arrive early in the morning, as there are just a handful of small parking lots, and they can fill up quickly. Learn more about these otherworldly rock formations hiding on the slope of Clinch Mountain.
Virginia State Parks / Google
Grayson Highlands State Park, 829 Grayson Highland Ln, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr
We’ve made our way into Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, where we’ll hike some of the highest-elevation trails in Virginia and potentially be greeted by wild mountain ponies. With these charming attributes and more, Grayson Highlands State Park is easy to love. Virginia’s Highlands are characterized by mountain meadows, wildflowers, impressive peaks, and… ponies?! It’s true! Check out this video from YouTube user Christopher Hu: If you’re ready to call it a night, you might consider camping at Grayson Highlands State Park. Otherwise, the journey continues!
Fairy Stone State Park, 967 Fairystone Lake Dr, Stuart, VA 24171, USA
If you thought Grayson Highlands was a magical destination, just wait until you hear the name of our next stop: Fairy Stone State Park. Named after the uniquely-shaped stones you can find in the soil, this state park is a treasure trove of recreational opportunities. If you have some time, why not rent a canoe and explore the park from the water? Plus, there are plenty of cabin rentals available, making this a great place to stay the night before continuing eastward.
c w / flickr
Great Dismal Swamp, North Carolina 27976, USA
Tracy Hill / Google
We’ve officially left the mountains and are headed for the coastline! Great Dismal Swamp is shared by Virginia and North Carolina, and it’s perhaps one of the most eerily beautiful landscapes in the region. The area measures an incredible 111,000 acres and is famous for its “floating” cypress trees. One of the best trails for experiencing this beautiful wild space is called the Washington Ditch Trail. Take a virtual tour of the Great Dismal Swap c/o The Nature Bus on YouTube:
First Landing Beach, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
We’ve made it to the beach! First Landing State Park is one of the most historically significant parks in Virginia. Located on Cape Henry, this 2,800-acre park offers a little bit of everything: beaches for walking, waves for splashing in, and boardwalk trails that will lead you through maritime forests and under Spanish moss. In fact, there are 20 miles of trails in this park, and you won’t want to rush through them! You can plan to camp here if you’re partial to waterfront campsites in Virginia. Just don’t forget your bug spray!
Cape Charles Virginia’s Cape / Facebook
Cape Charles, VA 23310, USA
To reach Cape Charles, you’ll be taking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and it’s quite an adventure! When you arrive to Cape Charles, you’ll be enchanted by this beachfront community at the southern end of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. From the Victorian-era architecture to the beautiful beachfront, there’s a lot to love about this final destination on our scenic road trip in Virginia.
Looking for more beautiful places in Virginia? Our state is a true natural beauty!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Beautiful Places in Virginia February 03, 2023 Sarah M. What are the most beautiful places in Virginia that I need to visit and explore? Virginia is a natural beauty that offers folks near-endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. Here are some beautiful places in Virginia we think everyone ought to make a point to visit:
Grayson Highlands State Park. Did you know there is a little haven in the Appalachian Mountains where wild ponies roam free and hikers can climb to the tallest peak in Virginia? It’s known as Grayson Highlands State Park, and it’s a must-visit for anyone who adores the great outdoors. The park offers a wonderful campground facility for those looking to spend more than just a day in the mountains. Visit during the summer and you can look forward to breathtaking mountain laurel. Or plan a trip during the fall and experience the foliage in the most incredible setting. Cape Henry Lighthouse. Cape Henry is located at the southern entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Consequently, it’s been an important point of navigation for centuries. The “new” Cape Henry lighthouse – circa 1881 – is just a stone’s throw away from the original, which was built in 1792. The latter can be climbed to reveal one of the most beautiful views of the Bay imaginable. Sky Meadows State Park. Sky Meadows State Park is a 1,800-square-foot property characterized by green rolling hills, woodland, and lakes. Though it’s less than an hour from Washington D.C., it provides a much-needed escape from modern society. Sky Meadows State Park also provides a fascinating insight into farming practices beginning as early as the Colonial period. Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Few people realize that Virginia is home to a magnificent sand cave. It’s found along the Virginia and Kentucky border inside the park shared between the two states, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Aside from being a rare addition to the Virginia landscape, the sand cave is remarkable for its unique coloring. Look closely at the ceiling of the cave and you’ll see shades of red, green, yellow, and orange… it’s spectacular! The Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is without a doubt the crown jewel of the Appalachian Mountains. Stretching from North Carolina to Virginia, this iconic drive showcases the rugged beauty of the mountains in a way that’s hard to describe. The park offers plenty of places to pull off so that drivers can learn more about the region and take in the views. The Blue Ridge Parkway is especially popular in the fall when the landscape is filled with vibrant colors.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beautiful Places in Virginia
February 03, 2023
Sarah M.
What are the most beautiful places in Virginia that I need to visit and explore? Virginia is a natural beauty that offers folks near-endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. Here are some beautiful places in Virginia we think everyone ought to make a point to visit:
Grayson Highlands State Park. Did you know there is a little haven in the Appalachian Mountains where wild ponies roam free and hikers can climb to the tallest peak in Virginia? It’s known as Grayson Highlands State Park, and it’s a must-visit for anyone who adores the great outdoors. The park offers a wonderful campground facility for those looking to spend more than just a day in the mountains. Visit during the summer and you can look forward to breathtaking mountain laurel. Or plan a trip during the fall and experience the foliage in the most incredible setting. Cape Henry Lighthouse. Cape Henry is located at the southern entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Consequently, it’s been an important point of navigation for centuries. The “new” Cape Henry lighthouse – circa 1881 – is just a stone’s throw away from the original, which was built in 1792. The latter can be climbed to reveal one of the most beautiful views of the Bay imaginable. Sky Meadows State Park. Sky Meadows State Park is a 1,800-square-foot property characterized by green rolling hills, woodland, and lakes. Though it’s less than an hour from Washington D.C., it provides a much-needed escape from modern society. Sky Meadows State Park also provides a fascinating insight into farming practices beginning as early as the Colonial period. Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Few people realize that Virginia is home to a magnificent sand cave. It’s found along the Virginia and Kentucky border inside the park shared between the two states, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Aside from being a rare addition to the Virginia landscape, the sand cave is remarkable for its unique coloring. Look closely at the ceiling of the cave and you’ll see shades of red, green, yellow, and orange… it’s spectacular! The Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is without a doubt the crown jewel of the Appalachian Mountains. Stretching from North Carolina to Virginia, this iconic drive showcases the rugged beauty of the mountains in a way that’s hard to describe. The park offers plenty of places to pull off so that drivers can learn more about the region and take in the views. The Blue Ridge Parkway is especially popular in the fall when the landscape is filled with vibrant colors.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Virginia is a natural beauty that offers folks near-endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. Here are some beautiful places in Virginia we think everyone ought to make a point to visit:
- Grayson Highlands State Park. Did you know there is a little haven in the Appalachian Mountains where wild ponies roam free and hikers can climb to the tallest peak in Virginia? It’s known as Grayson Highlands State Park, and it’s a must-visit for anyone who adores the great outdoors. The park offers a wonderful campground facility for those looking to spend more than just a day in the mountains. Visit during the summer and you can look forward to breathtaking mountain laurel. Or plan a trip during the fall and experience the foliage in the most incredible setting.
- Cape Henry Lighthouse. Cape Henry is located at the southern entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Consequently, it’s been an important point of navigation for centuries. The “new” Cape Henry lighthouse – circa 1881 – is just a stone’s throw away from the original, which was built in 1792. The latter can be climbed to reveal one of the most beautiful views of the Bay imaginable.
- Sky Meadows State Park. Sky Meadows State Park is a 1,800-square-foot property characterized by green rolling hills, woodland, and lakes. Though it’s less than an hour from Washington D.C., it provides a much-needed escape from modern society. Sky Meadows State Park also provides a fascinating insight into farming practices beginning as early as the Colonial period.
- Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Few people realize that Virginia is home to a magnificent sand cave. It’s found along the Virginia and Kentucky border inside the park shared between the two states, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Aside from being a rare addition to the Virginia landscape, the sand cave is remarkable for its unique coloring. Look closely at the ceiling of the cave and you’ll see shades of red, green, yellow, and orange… it’s spectacular!
- The Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is without a doubt the crown jewel of the Appalachian Mountains. Stretching from North Carolina to Virginia, this iconic drive showcases the rugged beauty of the mountains in a way that’s hard to describe. The park offers plenty of places to pull off so that drivers can learn more about the region and take in the views. The Blue Ridge Parkway is especially popular in the fall when the landscape is filled with vibrant colors.
