State Parks and National Parks

Outstanding hiking trails, campsites, fishing and canoeing are the hallmarks of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia and West Virginia.

More than 2,000 miles of hiking trails include 330 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Big Blue Trail and Wild Oak National Recreation Trail. There are short, paved trails with interpretive signs and more challenging trails that lead to such sites as Crabtree Falls with its five major cascades.

The 1.8 million-acre forest has 34 developed campgrounds, 24 picnic areas and seven sand beaches.

One canoe camp and several canoe launch sites are on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, and there are four canoe launches on the Jackson River. Paddling is oustanding on the Jackson, James and Maury rivers.

The forests offer four all-terrain-vehicle trail systems with approximately 75 miles of trails. The trails are open to ATVs and unlicensed motorcycles, but use is restricted to these trails. Certain routes are also open to full-sized four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Visitor services also include a visitor center and wheelchair-accessible fishing piers.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of USDA Forest Service. Courtesy of USDA Forest Service.