The parks and forests of Virginia include sites managed by the federal government, the Commonwealth and local governments. This page lists the National Park Service sites in the state, grouped by type.
Quick answer: The National Park Service lists 33 sites in Virginia among the parks and forests of Virginia. They include Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Assateague Island National Seashore, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park (Jamestown and Yorktown) and several national historic trails.
Contents
- The National Park
- Historical Parks and Battlefields
- Parkways, Seashore and Parks
- Trails
- Frequently asked questions
The National Park
Shenandoah is the only site in Virginia with the title National Park.[1] Several of its highest peaks, among them Hawksbill, Stony Man and Hightop, stand on ancient lava flows of the Catoctin Formation.[2]
Historical Parks and Battlefields
| Site | Type |
|---|---|
| Appomattox Court House | National Historical Park |
| Cedar Creek and Belle Grove | National Historical Park |
| Colonial (Historic Jamestowne, Yorktown Battlefield, Cape Henry Memorial) | National Historical Park |
| Cumberland Gap | National Historical Park |
| Harpers Ferry | National Historical Park |
| Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania | National Military Park |
| Manassas | National Battlefield Park |
| Petersburg | National Battlefield |
| Richmond | National Battlefield Park |
| Booker T. Washington | National Monument |
| Fort Monroe | National Monument |
| George Washington Birthplace | National Monument |
| Maggie L. Walker | National Historic Site |
Source for the table: National Park Service.[1]
Parkways, Seashore and Parks
| Site | Type |
|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Parkway | Parkway |
| George Washington Memorial Parkway | Parkway |
| Assateague Island | National Seashore |
| Prince William Forest Park | Park |
| Great Falls Park | Park |
| Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts | Performing arts park |
Prince William Forest Park, near Quantico, is one place to see the fall line, where Quantico Creek forms small cascades.[3]
Trails
The Park Service also lists long-distance trails that cross Virginia: the Appalachian and Potomac Heritage national scenic trails, and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake, Overmountain Victory, Star-Spangled Banner and Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route national historic trails.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many national parks are in Virginia? Shenandoah is the only National Park by title, but the National Park Service lists 33 sites in Virginia.
What is the most famous park in Virginia? This page does not rank parks. Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are among the best-known sites listed by the Park Service.
Is there a national seashore in Virginia? Yes, Assateague Island National Seashore.
Where is Cumberland Gap National Historical Park? Where Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee meet; the Virginia part is in Lee County.
References
- [1] National Park Service, Virginia – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] The Geology of Virginia (William and Mary), Blue Ridge – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] National Park Service, Fall Line (Prince William Forest Park) – last checked 11/08/2026
The far western park is described in Cumberland Gap: Where Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee Meet.