10 Most Scenic Small Towns In Virginia For Nature Lovers
Virginia is a beloved state that appeals with a lot of things, including a long-running history dating back more than 12,000 years. Moreover, it was here that the continent’s first permanent English Colony was established in May 1607. But even with such an interesting history, the state’s natural splendor still stands with strong appeal.
Although small in size, Virginia comfortably accommodates some of the country’s iconic natural features, including the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chesapeake Bay, Luray Caverns, and Assateague Island, as well as ancient geological formations and a wide diversity of fauna and flora. These natural enticements and many more sit proudly in scenic small towns, like Luray and Chincoteague, making them easy to access and explore. Visit these scenic small towns in Virginia today and enjoy front-row seats to the fascinating natural world of the Southern United States.
Chincoteague
Chincoteague is arguably the most naturally alluring town on Virginia’s eastern shore and the only resort island in the state. This quiet town on the Atlantic Coast is famous for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, a 14,000-acre area on the nearby Assateague Island full of dunes, salt marshes, shrubs, maritime forests, and beaches. Nature lovers are invited to this refuge to relax on the mile-long Assateague Beach, hike more than a dozen miles of nature trails, and see wildlife such as sika deer and the famous Chincoteague pony.
The town also has several parks ideal for fishing and swimming, including the Chincoteague Veterans Memorial Park and the Robert Reed Waterfront Park. Due to its location on the Atlantic Flyway, the island town is also a fantastic place to watch birds, especially in Spring and Fall when they migrate in their thousands across North America.
Luray
Nature aficionados can count on Luray for a satisfying experience. Located in the Shenandoah Valley, the town is a stone's throw from Luray Caverns, the largest of its kind in the Eastern United States. This cavern is an underground marvel featuring fascinating sights of stalagmites, stalactites, mirrored pools, cathedral-size rooms up to 10 stories tall, and other stunning stone formations. Perhaps even more exciting, Luray is a gateway to the Shenandoah National Park, where one can spend the entire day hiking, chasing waterfalls, or riding on the Skyline Drive. One of the park’s must-do activities near Luray is hiking on the 1.5-mile loop Stony Man Trail that leads to the awe-inspiring views of the park’s second-highest peak. Back in town, the Hawksbill Greenway offers an exciting two-mile hike through lush habitats where sightings of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife are common.
Crozet
Crozet is a quaint, charming town near Charlottesville that serves as a hideout from the city's chaotic vibes. Here, outdoor buffs will have the 520-acre Mint Springs Valley Park to enjoy as it has beautiful mountains, a seasonal swimming beach, five miles of hiking trails, and lakes for fishing. For wine lovers, this town is an absolute delight, especially as it hosts iconic establishments like King Family Vineyards and Stinson Vineyards. King Family Vineyards is particularly exciting as it sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering expansive mountain scenery and award-winning wines. Also nearby, the Chiles Peach Orchard invites visitors to come pick fruits like strawberries and enjoy delicious ice cream while soaking in the views.
Additionally, the town features the Wildrock Nature Play and Discovery Center, where gorgeous mountain views, woodland paths, and cascading streams await to delight adventurers of all ages, especially children. The area also has a nature trail winding through meadow and forest ecosystems and picnic areas for relaxation.
Martinsville
Martinsville is a charming town in Southern Virginia that appeals to nature aficionados with unique attractions, like the nearby Philpott Lake. Covering a whooping 2,900-acre area, this lake is a mecca for boating, swimming, and fishing. Around the lake are several campgrounds, beaches, and hiking and biking trails for even more adventures. Meanwhile, the paved 6.5-mile Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail is right in downtown Martinsville to delight hikers and bikers with beautiful views of wooded areas and a creek.
Notably, Martinsville is home to the Virginia Museum of Natural History, where millions of artifacts showcase the natural history of Virginia. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, this museum alone is worth a visit to Martinsville as its artifacts and exhibits cover a wide range of topics from the state’s geology, biology, paleontology, and archaeology. Elsewhere in town, the 30-acre Doe Run Park is also a delightful little natural gem, as it has a beautiful stream, picnic tables, and around 1.5 miles of hiking trails winding through wooded areas.
Floyd
Bluegrass Music and Friday Night Jamborees are artistic features that make a stay worthwhile in Floyd. However, it's impossible to overlook the surrounding area of this small town with a population of around 450 people. For starters, the town is in proximity to Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve, a 1,140-acre area preserving a nearly 4,000-foot Buffalo Mountain and rare plant species. This preserve is an exciting place to hike and discover rare species like bog bluegrass and large-leaved grass of Parnassus. Additionally, the Buffalo Mountain Ziplines is in the area to offer thrilling rides over treetops to the mountain top. Notably, the highest and longest zip line in the state can be found here.
For more nature adventures, the Rocky Knob Recreational Area is nearby and offers one of the best camping experiences in Virginia. Over 100 campsites are available in this 4,500-acre area, plus dozens of picnic sites and 15 miles of hiking trails crisscrossing the mountain vegetation. For hikers, the Rock Castle Gorge Trail along the campground is one of the best in the area, stretching 10 miles through lush forests, streams, and rocky terrain.
Abingdon
Abingdon may be famed for its historic appeal and rich arts scenery, but nature lovers still have enough reasons to visit this town. The town sits in the Great Appalachian Valley and is the starting point of the Virginia Creeper Trail, which stretches 35 miles from Abingdon to Whitetop. Bikers are invited to explore this trail that winds through dense forests and water bodies like Laurel Creek. Abingdon is also near the Channels Natural Area Preserve, which is made up of forests and large sandstone formations said to have been formed around 400 million years ago. Moreover, wine lovers will appreciate the Abingdon Vineyards, as it is beautifully located along the South Holston River and offers world-class wines, food trucks, and live music.
In the meantime, it is recommended to check out some historic attractions when visiting Abingdon, and the Abingdon Muster Grounds is a worthy place to begin. This 9-acre area features displays highlighting Virginia’s role in the American Revolution. Notably, it was from this site that a group of Virginia patriots launched an attack and crushed a British army in the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780.
Front Royal
Front Royal is a beautiful town in the Shenandoah Valley, perfect for a satisfying nature-centric experience. You can’t go wrong when visiting this town, especially as it is a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. Just five minutes from this town, the famous park awaits to delight nature lovers with gorgeous mountain and valley scenery from various overlooks along the 105-mile Skyline Drive. This park also has dozens of waterfalls like the 67-foot Rose River Falls, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails ranging from short strolls to full-day hikes, all offering pleasant scenery.
Away from the park, Front Royal is also one mile from the Skyline Caverns, one of the state’s most interesting natural features, featuring unique Anthodite formations, as well as stalagmites, aragonites, and multiple streams. Furthermore, Front Royal is on the Shenandoah River, which is awesome for kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and tubing adventures.
Farmville
Farmville is a charming town near the headwaters of the Appomattox River, full of youthful vigour, natural scenery, and outdoor recreation. Home to Longwood University, one of the country’s oldest, this town welcomes hikers and bikers to explore the High Bridge Trail State Park. This park is basically a 31-mile trail that includes the longest recreational bridge in Virginia, stretching over the Appomattox River. Elsewhere, Wilck’s Lake Nature Area is a cool place in the downtown area to picnic and fish, while the Sandy River’s Adventure Park is nearby, offering thrilling tree-top adventures and log cabins for camping. The Sandy River’s Adventure Park is also located on a farm where guests are invited to help with farm chores and meet animals.
Clarksville
Clarksville is famous as Virginia's only lakeside town, and that alone makes it worth visiting if you love nature. The town sits on the shores of the 50,000-acre Kerr Lake, the largest in Virginia and a paradise for boating and fishing. This lake is best enjoyed from the Occoneechee State Park, which features three boat ramps, plus dozens of RV and tent campsites, cabins, and over 15 miles of trails that wind through hardwood and pine forest and offer birdwatching opportunities.
Similarly, the nearby Staunton River State Park is on the lake and also has campgrounds, rustic cabins, picnic shelters, and nature trails. Notably, the Staunton River State Park is an International Dark Sky Park, making it an amazing place for stargazing. Clarksville also offers easy access to the Liberty Hiking Trail, a 1.25-mile trail with interpretive signs weaving through hardwoods on the south side of Kerr Lake. This trail is a peaceful place to just walk and learn about the area’s early settlers while enjoying sights of bald eagles and ospreys.
Cape Charles
Cape Charles is a paradise for nature lovers. It is located on a peninsula bordered by Chesapeake Bay and surrounded by water. For starters, the town is home to a spacious and beautiful beach ideal for swimming, as the waves are usually mild. Also, Cape Charles is home to the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, which is characterized by maritime forests, marshlands, grasslands, and saltwater ponds where a wide variety of wildlife call home. Nature lovers are invited to hike through the varying habitats in the refuge to see migratory birds and mammals or relax on its clean beach.
Moreover, Kiptopeke State Park is near downtown Cape Charles and is the perfect place to spend a few days in nature. This 520-acre park has over 100 campsites and lodges and a beautiful beach on Chesapeake Bay, ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and kayaking. This park is an amazing place to watch migratory birds and has over five miles of hiking and biking trails.
Experience The Natural Beauty Of Virginia
Besides its rich history and reputation as the home of several U.S. presidents, Virginia sits in a class all by itself in natural splendor. To put things in perspective, this state is surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, while nearly 63% of its landmass is forested. Meanwhile, it borders the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, and has several rivers like Appomattox, Rappahannock, and Shenandoah. Enjoy all of these incredible features across these scenic small towns in the state. From the unique Chincoteague to Cape Charles, visit these beautiful Virginia towns today and experience a refreshing experience in nature.
