Fall in central Virginia is the perfect time to visit a Virginia State Park, especially since you can visit five in the Farmville area. Read my blog about the perfect itinerary to visit all five parks.
Whether you plan to take an extended stay or make a day trip, these parks are full of colors and fall-themed programs that you will not want to miss.
Bear Creek Lake
Nestled in the heart of the Cumberland State Forest in central Virginia, Bear Creek Lake State Park is less than an hour west of Richmond. It is a getaway for the outdoor enthusiast, especially in the fall.
All park trails are designated for hiking only and offer views of vibrant fall colors, especially along the lake.
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If you want to learn a new skill, consider learning how to shoot a bow and arrow. Bear Creek Lake State Park offers archery programs this fall that will help you hit the mark with confidence. If you want to learn more about archery in an adult setting, then consider joining the archery club. This club welcomes beginning and intermediate level archers 18 years old and up for individual skills instruction, fun competitions and exciting challenges. Basic archery equipment is provided for those who do not have their own equipment. Visit the park’s event webpage for a full list of upcoming programs.
Bonus event: Be sure to check out the Lights at the Lake, where the park is covered in lights and decorations as you drive through this winter event. This takes place on the first two weekends in December, Friday night through Sunday night. Keep checking the park page for more information.
Twin Lakes
Fall is a time for checking out the trails and events at Twin Lakes State Park. Trails around the lakes provide a location to see the colors of the season, and fall programs create ways for everyone to connect with nature and learn more about the park.
The annual Fall Festival takes place Oct. 10 and will be full of things for the whole family to enjoy. There is a scarecrow decorating contest where the winner will receive a Virginia State Parks gift certificate. The event will also feature a craft marketplace, highlighting local artisans and handmade goods that are available for purchase.
Twin Lakes also offers archery programs that will help teach you the basic skills needed to shoot a bow and arrow. Making News with Zines is another program where you can discover the world of self-publishing while learning about the Civilian Conservation Corps. Additional park programs include nature journaling, fish printing, birding bingo, crafting and a meet and greet with Park Ranger Myrtle the Turtle.
For those looking for an adventure with your dog, you will want to participate in the B.A.R.K. Ranger programs. This program teaches you about good manners when visiting the park with your dog. Dogs must always be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when visiting any Virginia State Park.
Bonus event: Halloween is a time at the park, so you will not want to miss the spooky scavenger hunt and other events taking place during the day.
For a list of upcoming programs, visit the park’s webpage for more information.
High Bridge Trail
The 32.2-mile High Bridge Trail is used for outdoor activities like hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Fall weather makes exploring even better, and park programs provide ways to learn about the park’s history while appreciating its views.
Bicyclists looking for a challenge or leisurely trip can explore the trail with a Ride into the Sunset: A Ranger-Guided Bike Tour that allows you to experience the colors of fall on a 10-mile out-and-back route.
If you are looking for an easy-to-moderate hike, you will not want to miss the Fall Colors Hike. This program is for all ages, offering a chance to enjoy the fall air, learn about the area and explore the history of the park.
If you want a ride across the bridge, you will want to reserve your spot for the High Bridge Hop On: A Golf Cart Tour.
Bonus: Check out the exhibits in the visitor center at High Bridge Station that highlight the park’s historical, cultural and natural resources. The building aesthetic represents the railroad era to provide insight into the original Norfolk-Southern donation. You can also pick up drinks and snacks, park merchandise and a souvenir from your visit.
Holliday Lake
Deep in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, Holliday Lake State Park is a place for the outdoor enthusiast. Fall is one of the times to explore this park, thanks to its mix of hardwood forests, lakeside views and ridge-top trails. As the leaves turn, the Lakeshore Trail’s 6.5-mile loop becomes a corridor of color, winding through hardwoods, wetlands and pine stands. Its path around the lake offers spots for leaf-peeping, photography and reflection.
Shorter trails provide fall moments. Saunders Creek Trail, 0.1 miles, offers a gateway from the campground to the picnic area beneath a canopy of seasonal color. Dogwood Loop, 0.7 miles, offers a walk surrounded by foliage across from Redbud Campground. For views, Northridge Trail provides a ridge-top experience where fall colors stretch across the northern end of Holliday Lake. Laurel Ridge Trail, connecting the Group Camp to Saunders Creek Trail, lets visitors walk through some of the park’s wooded areas as the season peaks.
Together, these trails create a setting for fall hikes, wildlife watching and moments in nature. Whether you want a loop or a short stroll, this park is active in autumn.
Park programs highlight bats, reptiles, pollinators and mammals. Learn how these animals have adapted to life in the forest and understand the role they play in the ecosystem.
For a list of upcoming programs, visit the park’s event website.
Sailor’s Creek Historical Battlefield
Sailor's Creek Historical Battlefield State Park has seven hiking trails with interpretive signs, and fall brings cooler temperatures, making these short, connected trails comfortable to explore. Changing leaves add color to the landscape, especially at the Overlook where the Stagg and Kershaw trails meet, where you can see reds and golds framing views toward Sailor’s Creek. Trails like the Custis Lee and Seymour feel more atmospheric as falling leaves reveal more of the terrain where movements of the battle took place. The Wheaton Trail and Nature Spur become peaceful in autumn, with the creek lined by foliage and forest sounds. The Pickett Trail at Marshall’s Crossroads gains character in fall, with air and rustling leaves setting a backdrop to the interpretive signs that describe the fighting at Sailor’s Creek.
Programs include living history demonstrations, stories from soldiers, battlefield and gallery tours and Hillsman House Tours. You will learn about the land the park was built on and what life was like for those who lived here in the past, during the war.
Bonus: Check out the park's 18th Annual Luminary Event that honors American veterans whose service and sacrifice have shaped the nation’s history.
For a list of upcoming programs and events, visit the park’s event webpage.
