Celebrate National Hiking Day: Top Five Parks to Hike in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation encourages first-time and advanced hikers to enjoy more than 7,000 acres of land at our 300 parks available for use in Virginia Beach on National Hiking Day, Nov. 17. Lace up your hiking boots, grab your hiking sticks, pack water, snack and get outside to find a trail near you!

Here’s a list of Parks and Rec’s five favorite spots for hiking in Virginia Beach on National Hiking Day.

Pleasure House Point Natural Area

Pleasure House Point Natural Area is preserved land on the Lynnhaven River offering designated hiking trails, a kayak launch, fishing areas and bird watching. The tidal wetlands of the property provide a habitat for the iconic Chesapeake Bay blue crab, diamondback terrapin, and the Lynnhaven oyster, and act as nurseries for mollusks, crabs, and fish.

Lake Lawson / Lake Smith Natural Area

This 42-acre nature preserve has more than 12,000 feet of shoreline! Made popular by locals as a fishing destination, Lake Lawson / Lake Smith offers a scenic hiking trail that travels over a pedestrian bridge connecting the north and south parcel. Recent improvements include a new boat ramp, fishing and overlook platforms, a new playground and new restrooms for all to use. Be sure to find the hidden treasure monarch artwork while you’re there.

Stumpy Lake Natural Area

Stumpy Lake Natural Area gets its name from the unique view of tree stumps in a 278-acre lake. This park consists of 1,422 acres including a 174-acre golf course, 970+ acres of undeveloped, forested land surrounding the lake and 1.65 miles of soft shared-use trails with raised ADA-compliant overlooks which are perfect for fishing and bird watching!

Marshview Park Natural Area

Marshview Park is home to 100 acres of wooded property on Lake Rudee, complete with a hiking and biking trails, a dog park, playgrounds and more! Recent improvements include a ADA compliant asphalt trails, soft multiuse trails, play areas, one large playground, picnic shelters, restrooms, bike racks, and three onsite parking lots.

West Neck Creek Natural Area

The West Neck Creek Natural Area is a 217- acre wooded site kept in its natural state apart from a series of shared-use trails that total approximately 2.5 miles of soft path and .3 miles of paved ADA-compliant trails for visitors to enjoy hiking, fishing, bird watching, and more.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation encourages all Virginia Beach residents to connect with the environment around them, breathe in the fresh air and most importantly, leave no trace behind so we can continue to preserve the beautiful nature of these parks for generations to come.

Download the VB Park Finder app to search for parks and facilities by name, proximity, and specific features like playgrounds, ball fields, kayak launches, and more. At home or on the go, you can find the nearest park, get driving directions, view hours, and see available amenities.

For more information about Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, visit parks.virginiabeach.gov.