Top state parks
State ParkGrayson Highlands State Park
State ParkOcconeechee State Park
State ParkStaunton River State Park
State ParkMason Neck State Park
State ParkSky Meadows State Park
State ParkFirst Landing State Park
State ParkFairy Stone State Park
State ParkBear Creek Lake State Park
State ParkBreaks Interstate Park
State ParkCaledon State Park
State ParkLeesylvania State Park
State ParkTwin Lakes State Park
All state parks (35)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson Highlands State Park | Grayson County | — | Adwolf | 3 |
| Occoneechee State Park | Mecklenburg County | — | Clarksville | 3 |
| Staunton River State Park | Halifax County | — | Clarksville | 3 |
| Mason Neck State Park | Fairfax County | — | Woodbridge | 6 |
| Sky Meadows State Park | Fauquier County | — | Shenandoah Farms | 4 |
| First Landing State Park | City of Virginia Beach | — | Virginia Beach | 7 |
| Fairy Stone State Park | Henry County | — | Bassett | 3 |
| Bear Creek Lake State Park | Cumberland County | — | Weber City | 3 |
| Breaks Interstate Park | Dickenson County | — | Clintwood | 2 |
| Caledon State Park | King George County | — | Dahlgren | 5 |
| Leesylvania State Park | Prince William County | — | Cherry Hill | 7 |
| Twin Lakes State Park | Prince Edward County | — | Crewe | 3 |
| Westmoreland State ParkGeorge Washington Birthplace | Westmoreland County | — | Cobb Island | 4 |
| Douthat State Park | Bath County | — | Clifton Forge | 3 |
| False Cape State Park | City of Virginia Beach | — | Moyock | 4 |
| Smith Mountain Lake State Park | Bedford County | — | North Shore | 4 |
| Hungry Mother State Park | Smyth County | — | Marion | 4 |
| Lake Anna State Park | Spotsylvania County | — | Louisa | 4 |
| York River State Park | James City County | — | Williamsburg | 4 |
| Kiptopeke State Park | Northampton County | — | Cape Charles | 4 |
| Belle Isle State Park | Lancaster County | — | Kilmarnock | 3 |
| New River Trail State Park | Wythe County | — | Hillsville | 3 |
| Chippokes Plantation State Park | Surry County | — | Rushmere | 4 |
| Claytor Lake State Park | Pulaski County | — | Dublin | 4 |
| Pocahontas State Park | Chesterfield County | — | Chesterfield Court House | 5 |
| Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park | Amelia County | — | Farmville | 3 |
| Shot Tower Historical State Park | Wythe County | — | Hillsville | 3 |
| Staunton River Battlefield State Park | Charlotte County | — | Chase City | 3 |
| Holliday Lake State Park | Appomattox County | — | Appomattox | 3 |
| James River State Park | Nelson County | — | Amherst | 3 |
| Powhatan State Park | Powhatan County | — | Short Pump | 4 |
| Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park | Wise County | — | Big Stone Gap | 4 |
| High Bridge Trail State Park | Prince Edward County | — | Farmville | 4 |
| Shenandoah River Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. State Park | Warren County | — | Front Royal | 4 |
| Widewater State Park | Stafford County | — | Aquia Harbour | 5 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.