Old Cape Henry Lighthouse
Old Cape Henry Lighthouse

Tidewater Virginia contains hundreds of public areas including historic sites, national parks, national wildlife refuges, state parks, municipal parks, water trails, wildlife preserves, and other resources.

 

National Parks and Historic Sites

Colonial National Historic Park (Yorktown)

Fort Monroe National Monument (Hampton)

Old Cape Henry Lighthouse National Historic Landmark (Virginia Beach)

Assateague National Seashore (Eastern Shore)

 

National Wildlife Refuges

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Virginia Beach)

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Chesapeake)

Rappahannock River Valley Wildlife Refuge (Northern Neck)

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (Eastern Shore)

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (Eastern Shore)

 

State Parks

First Landing State Park (Virginia Beach)

False Cape State Park

Chippokes Plantation State Park

Belle Island State Park (Northern Neck)

Westmoreland State Park (Northern Neck)

Kiptopeke State Park (Eastern Shore)

 

Municipal Parks

Chesapeake

The City of Chesapeake has more than 70 public parks in a range of sizes and locations. Parks feature open play areas, playground equipment, sports courts, picnic shelters and tables, dog parks, horseshoe pits, ball fields, trails, and other amenities.

Major Parks:

Bells Mill Park

Centerville Park

Chesapeake Arboretum

Chesapeake City Park

Deep Creek Lock Park

Deep Creek Park

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

Elizabeth River Park

Great Bridge Lock Park

Indian River Park

Lakeside Park

Northwest River Park

Oak Grove Lake Park

Western Branch Park

Hampton

Bluebird Gap Farm

Fort Wool (owned by Commonwealth of Virginia)

Grandview Nature Preserve

Gosnold’s Hope Park

Mill Point Park

Sandy Bottom Nature Park

Newport News

The Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism operates over 20 parks in the City, including Newport News Park, the largest municipal park on the East Coast.

Major Parks:

Newport News Park

Anderson Park / Peterson’s Yacht Basin

Beechlake Park

Christopher Newport Park

Deer Park

Denbigh Park Boat Ramp

Harwood’s Mill

Hilton Pier

Huntington Park, Beach, and Tennis Center

King-Lincoln Park

Lake Maury

Riverview Farm Park

The Mariners’ Museum Park

Victory Landing Park

Norfolk

The City of Norfolk Parks System includes 2 festival parks (Town Point Park and Ocean View Beach Park), 3 beach parks, community parks, dog parks, community centers, numerous small neighborhood parks, and other resources.

Town Point Park (festival park)

Barraud Park

Lafayette Park

Lakewood Park

Northside Park

Northside Skate Plaza

Poplar Hall Park

Shoop Park

Tarrallton Park

Poplar Hall Park

Virginia Zoological Park

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Norfolk Public Beaches:

Community Beach Park – 700 E. Ocean View Ave.

Ocean View Beach Park – 100 W. Ocean View Ave. (festival park)

Sarah Constant Beach Park – 300 W. Ocean View Ave.

Suffolk

Major Parks:

Bennett’s Creek Park

Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina

Lake Meade Park

Lone Star Lakes Park

Sleepy Hole Park

Virginia Beach

The City of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Department manages more than 7,000 acres of parks and natural areas, community recreation centers, a municipal marina, ​and an athletic complex.

Major Parks:

Bayville Farms Park

Beach Garden Park

City View Park

Great Neck Park

Grommet Island Park

Hillier Ignite Fitness Park

Kempes Landing Park

Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area

Little Island Park

Lynnhaven Park

Marshview Park

Mount Trashmore Park

Munden Point Park

Pleasure House Point Natural Area

Princess Anne Commons Gateway Park

Providence Park

Pungo Ferry Landing Park

Red Mill Farms Park

Red Wing Park

Stumpy Lake Natural Area

West Neck Creek Natural Area

Williams Farm Park

Woodstock Park

Williamsburg

The City of Williamsburg owns and maintains community parks, neighborhood parks, and passive parks.

Community Parks:

Waller Mill Park

Quarterpath Park

Kiwanis Park

 

Privately Owned Parks and Preserves

Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve

 

Water Trails and other Resources

John Smith National Historic Trail

Elizabeth River Trail (land)

Eastern Branch Elizabeth River Water Trail

Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail

 

NOTE: Our parks page is undergoing seasonal maintenance

 

Related Information

Beaches

Sports – Recreation

Waterways

Cities – Communities