Uncover the 12 Greatest Nationwide Parks in Virginia

Virginia is house to a large number of nationwide parks which have preserved the historical past of early America. These landscapes are house to many animal species, together with birds like falcons, hawks, sparrows, and huge mammals like elk and black bears. In response to Ecological Functions, most state parks in Virginia endure from a variety of invasive plant species. 

Let’s dive into 12 of the very best nationwide parks and different public lands that may be present in Virginia!

1. Appomattox Court docket Home Nationwide Historic Park

Appomattox Court docket Home Nationwide Historic Park
Measurement	1,774 acres
Animal to see	Sparrow
Attraction to see	McLean Home

The location that marked the top of the Civil Conflict could be visited in Appomattox, Virginia. On April 9, 1865, the South’s give up was accepted within the McLean Home. The Appomattox Court docket Home Nationwide Park was established to protect this historic web site and its land. Guests can nonetheless see the McLean Home right now, and discover all the different historic features of Appomattox. The park covers over a thousand acres of land and is house to many Virginia species, similar to woodchucks, skinks, and sparrows. 

2. Blue Ridge Mountains

Blue Ridge Mountains
Measurement	93,390 acres
Animal to see	falcon
Sights To see	Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Mountains undergo Virginia and North Carolina and are one of the crucial breathtaking nationwide parks within the south. The Blue Ridge Parkway presents greater than 400 miles of highway the place guests can get pleasure from many scenic views. The park itself is huge and covers over 90,000 acres. These mountain ranges shield a various inhabitants of plant and animal life. You could come throughout elk, river otters, and falcons. 

3. Cape Henry Memorial

Cape Henry Memorial
Measurement	0.25 acres
Animal to see	Hawk
Attraction to see	Memorial Cross

Fort Story, Virginia marks one of many first areas the place early settlers landed once they first arrived in America. Over 100 years later, it additionally noticed one of many greatest naval battles through the Revolutionary Conflict. The Cape Henry Memorial is a part of the Colonial Nationwide Historic Park established within the city. It protects the essential landmarks of America’s historical past and is house to many animals that make their house alongside the shore. You could come throughout squirrels, area mice, and hawks throughout your go to. 

4. Cedar Creek & Belle Grove Nationwide Historic Park

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove Nationwide Historic Park
Measurement	3,712 acres
Animal to see	Black bear
Attraction to see	Shenandoah Spirits Path

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove Nationwide Parks are situated within the Shenandoah Valley. It has a wealthy historical past filled with Native American tradition that may nonetheless be skilled right now. The valley additionally performed an essential function in early American agriculture and was as soon as filled with rolling wheat fields. This space in Virginia was the positioning of many vital Civil Conflict occasions, such because the Battle of Cedar Creek. Remnants of the battles can nonetheless be seen within the valley’s fields. Many native Virginia animals reside within the surrounding forests. The park covers greater than three thousand acres and is house to black bears and deer. 

5. Fort Monroe Nationwide Monument

Fort Monroe Nationwide Monument
Measurement	565 acres
Animal to see	Jellyfish
Attraction to see	Casemate Museum

Virginia is filled with historic websites from the Civil Conflict, together with Fort Monroe. The fort can also be identified for Captain John Smith and being a staging floor for his quite a few exploits within the New World. The Nationwide Monument was established to mirror this wealthy historical past and educate guests about Fort Monroe’s function in America. There may be nonetheless preservation work occurring to guard land and landmarks round it. Across the moat of the Fort, chances are you’ll discover waterfowl and jellyfish. 

6. George Washington Birthplace Nationwide Monument

George Washington Birthplace Nationwide Monument
Measurement	661.7 acres
Animal to see	Racoon
Attraction to see	Colonial Revival Farm

Within the northernmost a part of Virginia, you possibly can go to the birthplace of George Washington, America’s first President. The George Washington Birthplace Nationwide Monument covers greater than 500 acres of land that when served because the Popes Creek Plantation. 

Throughout your go to, you possibly can see the house Washington was born in, in addition to historic constructions, a burial floor, and a Colonial Revival farm. There may be additionally entry to a public seaside and picnic grounds for having fun with a calming afternoon. Plenty of animals could be discovered within the space, together with raccoons, deer, and squirrels. 

7. Nice Falls Park

Nice Falls Park
Measurement	800 acres
Animal to see	River otters
Attraction to see	Patowmack Canal

Nice Falls Park is without doubt one of the main landmarks in Virginia, it’s located alongside the banks of Potomac River. The river turns right into a waterfall that flows into the jagged rocks of Mather Gorge. Nice Falls is barely fifteen miles away from the US capital, Washington DC. The waterfall is surrounded by 800 acres of land that preserves the nation’s early historical past. You may discover the Patowmack Canal, or hike the quite a few trails. You may come throughout otters, beavers, or deer alongside the water’s edge. 

8. Inexperienced Springs Nationwide Historic Landmark District

Inexperienced Springs Nationwide Historic Landmark District
Measurement	14,000 acres
Animal to see	Loon
Attraction to see	Farmsteads

Inexperienced Springs is a Nationwide Historic Landmark District that expands by means of Louisa County, Virginia. This nationwide park covers 14,000 acres and is house to quite a few historic constructions. A number of preserved farmsteads could be dated again to the nineteenth century. Whereas Inexperienced Springs is privately owned, a number of public roads supply fantastic views of the panorama. The protected land of Inexperienced Springs is house to lots of the native species that decision Virginia house. The world is house to loons, elk, raccoons, and extra. 

9. Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park

Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park
Measurement	3,660.73 acres
Animal to see	Catfish
Attraction to see	Potomac River

Harpers Ferry stretches throughout three states, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. It brings nature and historical past collectively and presents loads of academic alternatives for guests to get pleasure from. You may see the positioning of John Brown’s Raid, which is credited as one of many occasions that jump-started the Civil Conflict. You may marvel on the water of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, or hike the paths that wind by means of the Blue Ridge Mountain vary. The rivers are house to a number of fish species, similar to catfish and carp. 

10. Historic Jamestowne 

Historic Jamestowne
Measurement	20.63 acres
Animal to see	Skunk
Attraction to see	Jamestowne Foot Bridge

The location that began the colonization of America could be visited in James Metropolis County, Virginia. Historic Jamestowne was the beginning of Captain John Smith’s explorations by means of the countryside and the place he met Pocahontas. The settlement was first established in 1607 and had become a thriving colony by 1619. This historic web site is without doubt one of the greatest locations to study concerning the early beginnings of the US. It’s house to many animal species, similar to skunks, raccoons, snakes, and turtles. 

11. Petersburg Nationwide Battlefield 

Petersburg Nationwide Battlefield
Measurement	9,368 acres
Animal to see	Fox
Attraction to see	Centre Hill Mansion

The Battle of Petersburg through the Civil Conflict lasted for 9 and a half months as Common Ulysses S. Grant and his troops tried to take Petersburg. There have been over 70,000 casualties all through the battle. The Petersburg Nationwide Battlefield was established to commemorate this historic occasion and covers land house to lots of Virginia’s wildlife species. You could discover deer, shrews, and foxes. 

12. Prince William Forest Park

Prince William Forest Park
Measurement	15,000 acres
Animal to see	White-tailed deer
Attraction to see	Marine Corps Museum

The Prince William Nationwide Forest Park is without doubt one of the much less well-known websites in Virginia. It was first opened because the Chopawamsic Recreation Space in 1936. The world held reduction camps for kids through the Nice Melancholy. In 1948, it was renamed the Prince William Forest Park. The woods are filled with lush timber, babbling brooks, and a number of wildlife species native to Virginia. You may see deer, raccoons, birds, or snakes throughout your go to.