Virginia

There are several locations to begin your trek on the New River Trail, but our favorite is the Draper Valley area. The pin on the map will take you right to the parking lot. There is a $5 state park fee and a self-pay envelope station. From here we head south, and after about a mile you catch you...

At the parking lot cross the gravel road to the trail head that starts at a map posted on the edge of the road. Hike a quick quarter-mile where you'll turn left to a large rocky outcrop with views of the blueridge. You'll pass a campsite with fire ring before the rocky outcrop and overlook. I've ...

Sherando Lake is a beautifully maintained dog/family friendly campground situated between two lakes. Upper Sherando Lake is available for fishing only but the larger, 25 acre, Lower Sherando Lake offers swimming, fishing, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach.  The campground is divided into three ...

Located at mile marker 19 along the Blue Ridge Parkway, 20 Minute Cliff Overlook is super easy to access and has an amazing 180 degree panoramic view. Looking West over the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 2,715 foot overlook has a great view of the Priest to the South, Maintop Mountain and Fork Mounta...

Park in The Slacks Overlook parking lot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, around milepost 20. From there exit the parking lot back onto the road and head left. About 300 feet from the parking lot there is the trail entrance. It isn't too hard to find if you are looking for it, but there aren't any marki...

Claytor Lake is a very well maintained state park in Dublin, VA. There are four campgrounds available. Campgrounds A, B and C are mostly for tent camping with no electric or water hookups, while campground D accommodates RV units with water and electric hookups.Claytor Lake is idea for families l...

This beautiful State Park on the Virginia Eastern Shore provides visitors with a very secluded beach even in the dead of summer. The location of the beach also allows you to enjoy a sunset over water which is rare for the east coast. The sandy white beaches dotted with old crab buckets and crab t...

Moormans River Overlook is one of the few eastern facing overlooks in Shenandoah National Park’s Southern District, which makes this a prime location for watching the sun rise when in this part of the park.  At mile post 92 off of Skyline Drive, Moormans River Overlook offers photographers a 180 ...

Visit not one, but two of the most historic and important lighthouses to our great nation. The original Cape Henry Lighthouse was the U.S. Governments first construction project authorized under the constitution. President George Washington himself authorized the project and Alexander Hamilton o...

Range View Overlook in Shenandoah National Park is an amazing spot to watch the sunrise and sunset where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the rolling hills. Range View Overlook has views of Jenkins Mountain to the south, Pignet Mountain and Mary’s Rock to the southwest, and Hogback Mountain to the w...

I didn't have any issues putting "Comers Rock Recreation Area" into my phone's GPS (Waze) and arriving exactly where I was supposed to. When you turn off US 21 (aka the Grayson Turnpike/Elk Creek Parkway) to Jefferson National Forest Road 57, you'll see a sign a parking lot that says "road not su...

It's hard to beat an outdoor adventure that keeps you near the ocean's edge. For this destination, getting there is possibly the best part. The trail is well kept and level; perfect for an easy bike ride or hike. An easy trail due to lack of incline (after all, it is by the sea). For the first fe...

From the parking area at the visitor center, pick up the Backbone Trail marked with gold blazes.  The trails are well marked with signage and arrows.  Follow the Backbone Trail for 2 miles under you reach the trail junction of Powhatan Forks Trail.  After a half mile the this trail splits with th...

Pinnacles Overlook in Shenandoah National Park is a southern facing overlook in the Central District that provides one of the best views of Old Rag.   Looking south over the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 3,320 foot overlook has a great view of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains as well as a valley th...

With the George P. Coleman bridge spanning the width of the York River, a fishing pier, and numerous rock jetties, Yorktown Beach is a great location for photographing sunrises or sunsets. There is a nice brick riverwalk path to walk along, or sandy areas to sit.To get the full Coleman Bridge in ...

Riverview park has tons of options for getting outside around Charlottesville, VA. Part of the Rivanna Trail runs through here, so if you are really ambitious, this trail goes around the entire city. There are paved trails right along the river, so you can choose your activity. Running, biking, a...