SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE

Throughout Hampton Roads, newcomers will discover lush parks and premier recreational areas that are well-managed by city, county, state, and federal organizations. Some of the nation’s most pristine wildlife preserves are close to home, including the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Chincoteague Island. Virginia Beach provides one of the East Coast’s most popular sun and surf destinations, dotted with wonderful restaurants and colorful shops. Vast regional parks beckon outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities like biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and camping.

 

National Parks & Refuges

Assateague Island National Seashore
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 410-641-1441
www.nps.gov/asis

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4005 Sandpiper Road
Virginia Beach 757-301-7329
www.fws.gov/refuge/back_bay

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
8231 Beach Road
Chincoteague 757-336-6122
www.fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
White Marsh Road
Suffolk 757-986-3705
www.fws.gov/refuge/great_dismal_swamp

 

Regional State Parks

Assateague State Park
7307 Stephen Decatur Highway
Berlin, MD 410 641-2120
www.dnr.state.md.us

False Cape State Park
4001 Sandpiper Road
Virginia Beach 757-426-7128
www.dcr.virginia.gov

First Landing/Seashore State Park
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach 757-412-2300
www.dcr.virginia.gov

Kiptopeke State Park
3540 Kiptopeke Drive
Cape Charles 757-331-2267
www.dcr.virginia.gov
York River State Park
9801 York River Park Road
Williamsburg 757-566-3036
www.dcr.virginia.gov

 

Regional Parks & Gardens

VIRGINIA

Bennett’s Creek Park
3000 Bennett’s Creek Park Road
Suffolk 757-484-3984
www.suffolkva.us

Buckroe Beach Park
North 1st Street
Hampton 757-727-8311
http://hampton.gov/138/Parks

Chesapeake City Park
900 City Park Drive
Chesapeake 757-382-6411
www.cityofchesapeake.net

Chincoteague Island
Route 175
Chincoteague Island
www.chincoteague.com

Fred Heutte Center
1000 Botetourt Gardens
Norfolk 757-441-2513
www.genserva.com/fhcgarden

Grandview Nature Preserve
State Park Drive
Hampton 757-727-8311
http://hampton.gov/138/Parks

Huntington Park Rose Garden
Riverpark at Mercury Boulevard
Newport News 757-886-7912
www.nnva.gov/905/Huntington-Park-Rose-Garden

Little Island Park
3820 South Sandpiper Road
Virginia Beach 757-385-7324
www.vbgov.com/parks

Lone Star Lakes Park
401 Kings Highway
Suffolk 757-255-4032
www.suffolkva.us

Mount Trashmore Park
310 Edwin Drive
Virginia Beach 757-385-2995
www.vbgov.com/parks

Newport News Park
13560 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News 757-926-1400
www.nngov.com

Norfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Garden Road
Norfolk 757-441-5830
www.nbgs.org

North Landing River Preserve
Blackwater Road
Virginia Beach
State Office 804-786-6124
www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage

Northwest River Park
1733 Indian Creek Road
Chesapeake 757-421-7151
www.visitchesapeake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/northwest-river-park

Portsmouth City Park
5 Cpl J. M. Williams Avenue
Portsmouth 757-393-8481
www.portsvaprls.com

Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area
U.S. 17 at James River Bridge
Isle of Wight 804-367-1000
www.dgif.virginia.gov/wma/ragged-island

Red Wing Park
1398 General Booth Boulevard
Virginia Beach 757-437-2038
www.vbgov.com/parks

Sandy Bottom Nature Park
1255 Big Bethel Road
Hampton 757-825-4657
http://hampton.gov/142/Sandy-Bottom-Nature-Park

Sleepy Hole Park
4616 Sleepy Hole Road
Suffolk 757-923-2385
www.suffolkva.us/parks/parks/regional/sleepy-hole

 

North Carolina

Currituck Banks National Estuarine Reserve
NC Route 12
Corolla 252-261-8891
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/coastal-management/nc-coastal-reserve/reserve-sites/currituck-banks-reserve

Parks & Recreation Contacts

Maryland State Forests & Parks
877-620-8367
www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands

Virginia State Parks
804-692-0403
www.dcr.virginia.gov

City of Chesapeake
757-382-6411
www.cityofchesapeake.net

City of Hampton
757-727-8311
http://hampton.gov/138/Parks

City of Norfolk
757-823-4291
www.norfolk.gov

City of Suffolk
757-514-7250
www.suffolkva.us/parks

City of Newport News
757-926-1400
www.nngov.com

City of Poquoson
757-868-3580
www.ci.poquoson.va.us

City of Portsmouth
757-393-8481
https://portsmouthparks.com

City of Virginia Beach
757-385-3111
www.vbgov.com/parks

City of Williamsburg
757-259-3760
www.williamsburgva.gov

Isle of Wight County
757-357-2291
www.co.isle-of-wight.va.us

James City County
757-259-5410
www.jamescitycountyva.gov
York County
757-890-3300
www.yorkcounty.gov