All up, Virginia is home to 41 incredible state parks. Some of which rank among the best in the country.
Affectionately known as ‘The Mountain State’, many of these parks possess incredible landscapes of soaring peaks, craggy bluffs, dense alpine forest, stunning rivers and gorgeous, scenic lakes.
For those who live in or around the fringes of Lexington, these parks provide excellent places to visit, when you want to escape from the faster pace of city life.
Enabling you to go swimming, hiking, fishing, boating, camping and picnicking in the great outdoors, there are several, wonderful, public wilderness recreational spaces that are pretty much right on your doorstep.
With that in mind, here are 8 state parks near Lexington you should head to, next time you fancy venturing out and about in nature.
Map of State Parks Near Lexington VA
Here is a map of the state parks in Virginia covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Lexington
All 8 of the state parks near Lexington showcased below can be reached within a drive of less than two hours. This means they are terrific places to visit on a day trip.
However, should you want to stay for an extend period at any of them, they all offer a range of camping accommodation options for you to use.
1. Natural Bridge State Park
Distance from Lexington: about 12 miles southwest of Lexington (straight-line).
Location: 6477 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
At just a 20 minute drive south from Lexington, The Natural Bridge State Park is a figurative stone’s throw away from your hometown.
Incorporating picturesque forestland, rolling meadows full of stunning wildflowers, raging waterfalls, verdant valleys and stunning exceptional views of the mountainous surrounds, this 1,540 acre park is a top spot for hiking and photography.
One of its main drawcards is a spectacular 215-foot tall natural bridge. Carved out by Cedar Creek within a limestone gorge, this incredible structure has been awarded National Historic Landmark status, and is very Insta-worthy.
Onsite, the pet-friendly campground, has 31 full hook-up sites available, as well as 25 tent sites and a sprinkling of cabins.
There is also a splendid swimming pool to enjoy, while the kids are sure to make plenty of use of the playground equipment and games room.
Discover Natural Bridge State Park in Massachusetts.
Highlights associated with Natural Bridge State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, hiking trails, and a visitor center.
See our full Natural Bridge State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Green Pastures Recreation Area
Distance from Lexington: about 14 miles west of Lexington (straight-line).
Location: Green Pasture Trail, Virginia
Green Pastures Recreation Area (formerly Longdale Recreation Area) is a state park in Clifton Forge, Virginia, in the George Washington National Forest.
Highlights associated with Green Pastures Recreation Area include lake recreation, river access, and island scenery.
See our full Green Pastures Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Douthat State Park
Distance from Lexington: about 22 miles west of Lexington (straight-line).
Location: 14239 Douthat State Park Rd, Millboro, VA 24460
Established all the way back in 1936, the Douthat State Park is one of Virginia’s oldest and most popular state parks.
Situated just a 40 minute drive northeast of Lexington, this impressive destination actually features on the National Register of Historic Places, as a consequence of the pivotal role it played in creating other state parks in the USA.
Featuring the most breathtaking mountain scenery, this park is a haven for anglers, because as well as four miles of stream fishing, there is also a 50-acre lake that is filled with trout as well.
If fishing is not your bag, you can also swim, kayak, canoe or SUP on the lake, or sunbathe on its sandy shoreline. While there are also several trails for hiking and mountain biking to explore.
In terms of accommodation, the park offers 32 cabins and 3 lodges which can sleep between 15-18 guests in each one.
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.
4. Falling Spring Falls State Park
Distance from Lexington: about 28 miles west of Lexington (straight-line).
Location: Covington, Virginia
Falling Spring Falls State Park is a state park in Alleghany County, Virginia, five miles north of the town of Covington in the Alleghany Highlands region.
Highlights associated with Falling Spring Falls State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Falling Spring Falls State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Hayfields State Park
Distance from Lexington: about 34 miles north of Lexington (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.
6. James River State Park
Distance from Lexington: about 36 miles east of Lexington (straight-line).
Location: 104 Green Hill Dr Gladstone, VA 24553
Official Guide: James River State Park — Offering rolling hills, quiet forests, and spectacular views of the historic James River.
Highlights associated with James River State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full James River State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Watoga State Park
Distance from Lexington: about 43 miles northwest of Lexington (straight-line).
Location: Marlinton, West Virginia
Watoga State Park is a state park located near Seebert in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
Highlights associated with Watoga State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, hiking trails, and RV sites with hookups.
See our full Watoga State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Distance from Lexington: about 49 miles south of Lexington (straight-line).
Location: 1235 Rd 888, Huddleston, VA 24104
Another excellent state park that is a 90 minute drive, this time south, from Lexington is the Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
Home to Virginia’s second largest freshwater lake, this is another place to fully immerse yourself in a gamut of water based recreational activities. While those who like hiking or biking will enjoy the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna within several trails that wind through the 1,148-acre state park. Many of which will take you to beautiful spots with outstanding views that are great places for a picnic.
If that sounds a bit too energetic for you, there is a fantastic public beach that is a lovely place to paddle or sunbathe on.
Most of the accommodation options at the park are located near the beautiful lake. Comprising 50 sites that have been set aside for tents, trailers and RVs, (of which 14 are electric) the campground also offers 20 well furnished cabins, as well as a convenient bunkhouse too.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a 1,148-acre (4.65 km2) state park along the shores of Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County, Virginia near Huddleston.
Highlights associated with Smith Mountain Lake State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Smith Mountain Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
