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    Machicomoco State Park

    5.0 (5 reviews)

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    Great sunset.
    Jodie C.

    Another great Va State Park! DyK? Machicomoco, in Virginia Algonquian, means Special Meeting Place (per Nps.gov) Also to note, I believe this is Virginia's 40th State Park. - It was more impressive than I anticipated. Beautiful wetlands and overlooks to enjoy the York River, A tributary for the Chesapeake Bay. I drove up unannounced and asked for a camping spot. They let me take my pick! I drove over to the camping area, (RV and tenting + Yurts), and was about ready to unpack, when the skies opened up and Bam! A severe storm blew this place out! I'm so glad I didn't set up yet. I slept in my car. High winds and hail. In a tent? No thanks. - after the big storm it sprinkled all night so I put on my raincoat and floppy hat and headed out for adventure. I hiked a couple trails and hung out on the boat launch (pier) a while. Watched the sunset. After waking up in my car, I simply drove out to my next adventures.(Great dismal Swamp and Kiptopeke State Park) I liked it here at Machicomoco. The Rangers were really nice also, and they had....Flushing Toilets! Go enjoy the outside!

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    Freedom Park - These little petals had heart shapes on them.

    Freedom Park

    4.7(25 reviews)
    14.7 mi

    This 600-acre park impresses me. It's a pristine public recreation area found in James City, VA…read morewith many interesting components. My hub rode the 20 miles of mountain bike trails while I spent time walking the paths that wind through historical sites and open fields. While here, I stumbled upon the Williamsburg Botanical Garden. It features 800 species of native vegetation and entrance is free. Saw a wedding being set up; what a great site to have such a ceremony. The best surprise of all is the presence of one of the first Free Black Settlements in the US. There are 3 cabins, all furnished with items of the period (1803-1850), situated in a graceful clearing. The structures are easy to see inside and out, a trip back in time, for sure. A fellow Yelper writes that Freedom Park is one of the best places to visit if on a tight budget in the Williamsburg region. I heartily agree. There are no fees for anything, unlike other parks in the tri-city area (meaning Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown). I found myself returning here for several days during the week that I was a tourist recently because this place is so enjoyable and tranquil.

    Nice park to explore and walk through with a botanical garden to see. Place was well maintained…read more Some of the trails are bicycle friendly & paved. The admission is free. Parking and finding the place were very easy to find. One of the best things to do for free or on a low budget at Williamsburg.

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    Freedom Park
    Freedom Park
    Freedom Park - Trail # 3!!

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    Trail # 3!!

    Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

    Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

    5.0(1 review)
    18.8 mi

    One day when I was looking around on the National Park Service website, I spotted the Captain John…read moreSmith Chesapeake National Historical Trail (JST). There is nothing I love more than trails, but when you combine history with nature, I get damn giddy! 400 years ago, Captain John Smith explored the Chesapeake Bay, and covered over 3,000 miles of trails--most of it being water. In 2006, Congress designated Smith's voyages as the first national water trail. Because of that, there is not one main trail for JST. There are several "trails" throughout Hampton Roads (HR). Each site has a sign and logo (see pictures) representing its inclusion with JST. Here is a list of the places you can visit in HR to check out JST: * Fort Boykin--Smithfield * Windsor Castle Park--Smithfield (Technically, Smithfield is not included in HR, but close enough to Suffolk, and many HR residents visit often.) * Mariners' Museum--Newport News * Virginia Living Museum--Newport News * Fort Monroe National Monument--Hampton * Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve--Portsmouth * First Landing State Park--Virginia Beach * Lynnhaven River NOW--Virginia Beach * Great Bridge Lock Park--Chesapeake TIPS: * Download the Chesapeake Explorer App (http://chesapeakeexplorerapp.com/) * Check out A Boater's Guide to the JST (http://goo.gl/dLi34r) * Here is the historical map from John Smith voyages: http://goo.gl/rGvgDA And here is the current map for JST: http://smithtrail.net/visit-the-trail/index * There is a Junior Ranger badge specifically for JST--ages 6 - 12. Go to this website and follow the directions: http://smithtrail.net/about-us/for-kids * Calling educators/parents! They offer lesson plans on the website: http://smithtrail.net/about-us/for-educators * Many of the water trails are accessible to kayaks and canoes! * Take a driving tour. (http://goo.gl/C4b7jk)

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    Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
    Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
    Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

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    Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge

    Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge

    4.1(7 reviews)
    33.7 mi

    The wildlife refuge near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel did not seem to offer a ton of access to…read morebeachy areas, instead containing a visitor center and some trails through reasonably pleasant forest. Stopping in at the visitor center got me a lot of welcomes, including from a retired physician with a biology background (this sounds like a nice way to spend one's retirement). Among other things, I was informed that the island which the bridge runs through is only open for tours a few weeks a year, and I received information on how to pursue those tours, which I might follow through on. Otherwise, I refilled my water bottles and got in a nice little walk.

    Worthy of a stop in my book, but don't go out of your way if not passing by. There are two parts…read more The Eastern Shore Visitors Center which has its own listing and the grounds. I would recommend doing both and have enjoyed for years. The location is just a few miles from the Bay Bridge with good signage. If you plan on doing both park at the visitors center there is a grassy path to the refuge. It's approximately a mile walk. If refuge only drive past the VC and hang a right to a small lot. The entrance is under a WW II concrete bunker with a surprise upon passing through. A powerful gun originally mounted in the rear turret of the Missouri. A cool side note. The USS Missouri was the site of the 1945 Japanese surrender ceremony. The 16 inch 50 caliber gun saw extensive action in both WW II and in the Korean War. The weapon was placed inside the refuge in 2013 to represent the original that sat in the very same bunker. The 2,100 pound round could fire at a distance of 21 miles across the bay and then some. On top of the bunker is an over look and worth the climb. Stairs are located on the side and are in great shape. Unfortunately it's not the best Kodak moment with a lot of over growth that needs cleared. If you bring a selfie stick or foot ladder that's best to elevate. There is not a large trail network which is a limiting factor. However, the refugee itself is hundreds of acres all Federally protected. Along the trail to a second overlook is a small cemetery which is nothing of interest. The second overlook located just mInutes from the bunker is the ideal photo op location. It's green, it's marshy and it's expansive. So snap away. For lovers of birds you will see water fowl. I'm a bit surprised that the refuge has so few reviews with a lot of traffic that passes by nearby Highway 13. If time permits go for it. Both the ES Wildlife Refuge and Visitors Center and can be done in less than two hours easy.

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    Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge
    Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge
    Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge

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    Savage Neck Dunes

    Savage Neck Dunes

    4.4(5 reviews)
    29.3 mi

    It's a strange thing to try to put a Yelp rating to, because this is a small park. When they say…read moreonly eight parking spots and nowhere else in the area to park or access the trails, they mean it. And when you hit the beach, you'll struggle to walk far in either direction amongst the driftwood. It was maybe a little over an hour visit for me, and maybe you could push it a little more if you did all the side trails. But I guess the thing for me is that I don't really have any desire to see them do anything different with the space. While much of the shoreline is developed or inaccessible, this area offers a fascinating variety of landscapes. The flora shift dramatically and suddenly, and you don't need signage to tell you where one zone ends and another begins. The diversion off of the main highway is not a huge one, and it is an interesting and worthwhile site.

    Full disclosure. We weren't able to fully experience this area because sunset was already…read morehappening. If coming from downtown Cape Charles, the parking lot will be on your right. Look for the kiosk sign, it's a small dirt parking lot. It's easy to miss if you don't pay attention. The lot is said to house 8 cars. Trails are not paved and consist of a mixture of dirt, root laden and sand terrain. There is a small boardwalk to cross on one of the trails that leads to beach access that veers to the right. The trail that leads to the right is roughly Half a mile to slightly a 3/4 mile to the beach. I recommend wearing shoes and not flip flops. I did have shoes on. The starting trails have plenty of shade. We only took one of the three trails due to limited time and it was dark by the time we made it back. They do close the gate by sunset. I happened to be too busy looking at my phone on the way back and actually walked right into the gate. If you do go to catch the sunset, make sure you give yourself at least 10-15 minutes to get back or else you will be stuck using your cellphone flashlight to find your way back or maybe bring a headlight just in case. Also, I didn't have cellphone service, so make sure if you visit in the evening, that you let people know of your whereabouts, prior to heading out in case of an emergency. On the website they say there are no bathrooms, but I happened to see a port a potty on one part of the trail. It looks like a nice place to take walks and explore. I would like to go back and check out the other trails.

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    Savage Neck Dunes
    Savage Neck Dunes - Sunset

    Sunset

    Savage Neck Dunes

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    Machicomoco State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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