The sunny state of Virginia offers more than just great food and monumental presidential homes; it also houses some of the most amazing state parks in the United States. The exquisite beauty of Virginia contributes to the overall beauty of each park. These parks offer amazing backdrops, clear blue lakes, and a landscape that few others can compete with.
There are several fun activities that suit various interests and passions available in the parks. Complete with well-furnished and magnificently decorated cabins that allow you to spend the night. So whether it’s camping, hunting, swimming, horseback riding, biking, picnicking, or running, there is never a shortage of fun things to do at the park.
We hand-picked some of the most awe-inspiring and fun-filled state parks near Lynchburg, Virginia. These parks are exactly what you need to take the weights off your shoulder while admiring nature’s beauty. Whether you’re in the mood for a day visit or a short vacation, you will definitely find your next holiday spot on this list.
Map of State Parks Near Lynchburg VA
Here is a map of the Virginia state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Lynchburg
Here is the list of some amazing state parks, their distance from Lynchburg, along with a short description so you know what to expect.
1. James River State Park
Distance from Lynchburg: about 23 miles northeast of Lynchburg (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.
2. Natural Bridge State Park
Distance from Lynchburg: about 27 miles northwest of Lynchburg (straight-line).
Location: 6477 S. Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
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.
3. Holliday Lake State Park
Distance from Lynchburg: about 28 miles east of Lynchburg (straight-line).
Location: 2759 State Park Rd, Appomattox, VA 24522
The dazzling Holliday Lake State Park is one of the most incredible parks out there. It is located about 23 miles away from Lynchburg. The park has various recreational activities available. It has a total of seven trails, including an aquatic one.
Swimming is another fun activity that you could do. The park’s swimming beach has a restroom, snack bar, and merchandise shop. You could rent a boat and cruise across the lake and take a break to eat something from the snack bar.
The park doesn’t have any cabins of its own, but its neighboring parks do. It makes up for the lack of cabins with a couple of charming bunkhouses.
Picturesque Holliday Lake State Park is located in Appomattox County just 2 hours from both Richmond and Roanoke Virginia.
Highlights associated with Holliday Lake State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Holliday Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Distance from Lynchburg: about 34 miles southwest of Lynchburg (straight-line).
Location: 1235 Rd 888 Huddleston, VA 24104
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.
5. Green Pastures Recreation Area
Distance from Lynchburg: about 40 miles northwest of Lynchburg (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.
6. Staunton River Battlefield State Park
Distance from Lynchburg: about 44 miles southeast of Lynchburg (straight-line).
Location: 1035 Fort Hill Trail
Randolph, VA 23962
Staunton River Battlefield State Park is a state park located in Virginia.
Highlights associated with Staunton River Battlefield State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, picnic areas, and RV sites with hookups.
See our full Staunton River Battlefield State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Bear Creek Lake State Park
Distance from Lynchburg: about 48 miles east of Lynchburg (straight-line).
Location: 22 Bear Creek Lake Rd, Cumberland, VA 23040
Bear Creek Lake State Park sits just 49.55 miles away from Lynchburg. The park is loaded with enough activities to keep everyone happy. Guests are welcome to hike, fish, swim, hunt, and even practice archery. Although, other activities like horseback and mountain bike riding require special permits.
The park has a swimming beach equipped with properly functioning restrooms and a snack bar by the lakeside. The snack bar sells sandwiches, drinks, and other snacks, so you never run out of food to eat.
You could rent one of the many boats available and sail across the open sea or fish for a great catch. Beer Creek lake is a full 49 acres, and it contains many fishes, including catfish, crappie, and brass. To fish in the lake, you will need a fishing license from the Virginia official body.
The park has a trail suitable for horseback riding but does not have any horses in the park itself. Riders need to bring their own horses and a medical report proving that their horse has been cleared of Coggins.
Bear Creek Lake State Park is a 326-acre (132 ha) state park located in Cumberland, Virginia, United States.
Highlights associated with Bear Creek Lake State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, hiking trails, and a boat launch.
See our full Bear Creek Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park
Distance from Lynchburg: about 58 miles east of Lynchburg (straight-line).
Location: 6541 Sayler’s Creek Rd, Rice, VA 23966
As its name implies, the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park was a battlefield where a war took place during the 1800s, making it rich in history. It’s just about 58 miles from Lynchburg, so you can take a mini road trip with your friends and learn about the land. There is a museum on-site that tells the story of the war with historical artifacts.
Aside from its rich history, this park also offers recreational activities such as hiking, jogging, and biking. The park has seven trails to choose from.
Guests can also fish in the nearby Appomattox River. There are extraordinary freshwater fishes in the river, including Kentucky spotted bass. This park is the only exception on this list because it does not have cabins or any other facility for visitors who want to stay the night.
Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park is a 379-acre (153 ha) state park near Rice, Virginia, located mostly in Amelia County with a small portion in Prince Edward County.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include rental cabins, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a visitor center.
See our full Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
Conclusion
When it comes to parks, Virginia sure knows how to do it well. You can visit these parks or any other ones in Virginia and soak in the earth’s natural beauty. A day in the park is sure to help you relax and de-stress.
