Virginia is home to some of America’s most beautiful state parks.
Referred to as the Mountain State, these parks exhibit a sensational landscape of imposing peaks, sparkling lakes, verdant alpine forest, flower rivers and rugged bluffs.
For residents of Harrisonburg who want a digital detox, or even just to detach themselves from the hustle and bustle of the big city, there are a host of wonderful state parks you can visit to refresh your mind and re-energize your soul.
Providing outstanding opportunities for fishing, swimming, hiking, boating, picnicking, photography, and camping, these pristine wilderness destinations are just waiting to be explored.
With that in mind, showcased below are 7 of the best state parks near Harrisonburg in Virginia you must visit at least once in your life.
Map of State Parks Near Harrisonburg, VA
Here is a map of the Virginia state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Harrisonburg
All 7 of these state parks near Harrisonburg can be reached within less than three hours of driving. So they can easily be visited as a day trip destination.
However, if you would like to stay for a few days or more at any of them, most possess a range of camping and other overnight accommodation options you can use as a base of operations.
1. Lost River State Park
Distance from Harrisonburg: about 32 miles north of Harrisonburg (straight-line).
Location: Mathias, West Virginia
Lost River State Park is a state park located in Hardy County, West Virginia near the community of Mathias.
Highlights associated with Lost River State Park include waterfall scenery, river access, and mountain scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include rental cabins and a swimming pool.
See our full Lost River State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Seven Bends State Park
Distance from Harrisonburg: about 35 miles northeast of Harrisonburg (straight-line).
Location: 2111 S Hollingsworth Rd
Woodstock, VA 22664
Discover Seven Bends State Park in Shenandoah Valley for trails, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Explore nature today!
Highlights associated with Seven Bends State Park include river access, mountain scenery, and wooded landscapes.
See our full Seven Bends State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Hayfields State Park
Distance from Harrisonburg: about 39 miles west of Harrisonburg (straight-line).
Location: 524 Hayfields Lane, Clover Creek, Virginia 24458
Hayfields State Park is a state park in Highland County, Virginia, near McDowell.
Highlights associated with Hayfields State Park include river access, mountain scenery, and wooded landscapes.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include hiking trails and a marina.
See our full Hayfields State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Raymond R. “Andy” Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park
Distance from Harrisonburg: about 41 miles northeast of Harrisonburg (straight-line).
Location: 350 Daughter of Stars Dr, Bentonville, VA 22610
Located just a 50-mile drive from Harrisonburg, you can easily reach Shenandoah River State Park on most days, with mild traffic. The park is home to many affordable hotels, so you can plan a multi-day layover to experience most of what this beautiful region has to offer.
The park opened in 1999 and is usually accessible from 8 a.m. until dusk. Located toward the southern fork of the Shenandoah, the park spreads across 1600 acres along 5 miles of shoreline.
What can you expect at this park? With over 24 miles of trails, you have options of biking, hiking, and horseback riding. You also get to enjoy beautiful views of the Massanutten Mountain.
Shenandoah National Park (often ) is a national park of the United States that encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.
Highlights associated with Raymond R. “Andy” Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Raymond R. “Andy” Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Culpeper Battlefields State Park
Distance from Harrisonburg: about 45 miles east of Harrisonburg (straight-line).
Location: Henretty Drive, Virginia 22701
Culpeper Battlefields State Park is a state park in Culpeper County, Virginia.
Highlights associated with Culpeper Battlefields State Park include mountain scenery, wooded landscapes, and seasonal wildflowers.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include hiking trails.
See our full Culpeper Battlefields State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Sky Meadows State Park
Distance from Harrisonburg: about 61 miles northeast of Harrisonburg (straight-line).
To get to this park, you will need to travel 80 miles out of Harrisonburg. The Sky Meadows State Park’s name describes it well. The park starts in the foothills of the Blueridge Mountains. It goes up to the Appalachian Trail, with beautiful meadows along the way. The name ‘sky’ comes from a former owner Sir Robert Hadows, who had named it ‘Skye Farm’ after a Scottish island.
The park offers natural history programs all year round. A visit to the park can help you connect with the unique farming practices that gave birth to its pastoral landscaping.
Sky Meadows State Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with sightings all through the year. You will certainly find a variety of woodpeckers any time of the year.
Most visitors to the Sky Meadows State Park come here for the beautiful picnic spots, hiking, and camping against the backdrop of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain terrain. Groups or families can book and experience the park’s hike-in camping facilities.
The park covers 1,860 acres with bridle paths, hiking trails, and biking trails. Like most state parks, the Sky Meadows State Park usually remains open from 8 a.m. until dusk. This park also holds the distinction of being an International Dark Sky Park. It organizes monthly astronomy programs for those interested in the subject.
Website: dcr.virginia.gov/…
Sky Meadows State Park is a 1,862-acre (754 ha) park in the Virginia state park system.
Highlights associated with Sky Meadows State Park include river access, island scenery, and mountain scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, hiking trails, and picnic areas.
See our full Sky Meadows State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Douthat State Park
Distance from Harrisonburg: about 64 miles southwest of Harrisonburg (straight-line).
Location: 14239 Douthat State Park Rd, Millboro, VA 24460
Opened in 1936, the Douthat State Park is one of the oldest state parks in Virginia.
Located a 1.5 hour drive south east of Harrisonburg, the park is actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of the role it played in development and creation of other state parks across the country.
Framed by exceptional mountain scenery, the park is very popular with anglers who enjoy the endless opportunities afforded by the 50-acre trout filled lake, as well as four miles of stream fishing.
You can also rent boats to head out to the lake, or traverse it on kayaks, paddle boards and canoes. While the comely beach here is perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
For hikers and mountain bikers, numerous trails wind through the area and there is also a playground for children to enjoy too.
Accommodation wise, the park offers 32 cabins and three lodges that can house 15-18 guests each.
Website: dcr.virginia.gov/…
Douthat State Park is a state park located in the Allegheny Mountains in Virginia.
Highlights associated with Douthat State Park include lake recreation, river access, and mountain scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground and rental cabins.
See our full Douthat State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
