r/VIRGINIA_HIKING

My kids and I are trying to visit every state park! Preferably to tent camp. The problem we’ve run into is most of our free time is in July/ August when most of the state is brutally hot and humid. Last year we left a camping trip at Kiptopeke early because it was miserably hot and we couldn’t sleep. Does anyone have recommendations for state parks that are comfortable to tent camp at in the summer months? Any experience with hungry mother, Claytor lake, Douthat, or any others? Thanks!

I’m wanting to start slow to get into hiking. I’ve frankly been treating my body like trash and need to do some kind of reconnecting with nature. Anyone know of any nice beginner friendly trails to start with in the NOVA area? Bonus points for floral areas and bodies of water.

hi! I was planning on backpacking the Virginia highlands in the next couple of days as a first timer, but the cold weather is making me second guess if this is a good time to go. I thought alternatively, I could stay at a nearby campsite and car camp (to be warmer), but I’m having a hard time finding a good spot. I’m hoping for something that is still very close to the highlands, so that I could hike from or have a short drive+hike the highlands still.

I am not from the area either so any advice/suggestions are very appreciate.

Thank you so much in advance!