State Parks

Machicomoco State Park

The Hike: Machicomoco is one of Virginia’s newest State Parks. This small park (645 acres) is home to diverse wildlife habitats, from open fields to woodlands and waterfront/marsh areas. The park is still a bit of a work in progress as more trails and facilities are planned. The park currently has three hiking trails. Our

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Little Mountain Falls

The Hike: Fairy Stone State Park is one of the original Virginia State Parks from 1936. Stop by the visitor center to pick up a trail map and to learn more about fairy stones. This hike combines several shorter trails so there are numerous junctions. All the trail junctions have signs and the trails are

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Back Bay Wildlife Refuge Loop

Highlights: Birding, ocean views, wildlife  Distance: 9.5 mile loop Elevation change: 35 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Visitor Contact Station, 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach VA; park entry fee required Website: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, AllTrails, and False Cape State Park Beer Pairings: Reaver Beach Brewing Co.—Hammerhead IPA & Soup of the Night

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First Landing State Park Loop

Highlights: Broad Bay, bald cypress swamp, rare plants and wildlife  Distance: 8.6 mile loop Elevation change: 251 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, Trail Center Parking Area; park entry fee required Website: First Landing State Park Beer Pairings: Wasserhund Brewing Co.—Great Dane’ish Pilsner & Doggy Paddle IPA The Hike:

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High Bridge Trail

Highlights: Historic High Bridge, civil war earthworks, Appomattox River Distance: 8.2 mile out and back Elevation change: 270 feet Difficulty level: Easy/moderate Trailhead Parking: High Bridge Trail State Park, Camp Paradise parking area, 1466 Camp Paradise Road; Rice, VA, park fee required. Website: High Bridge Trail State Park Beer Pairings: Three Roads Brewing Co.—Drive By

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York River State Park

Highlights: River and marsh views, birdwatching, wildflowers Distance: 6.7 miles out and back Elevation change: 257 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: York River State Park Visitor Center, 9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA park fee required  Website: York River State Park Beer Pairings: Talleysville Brewing Co.—Broken Post Pilsner & Pinch Point APA The

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Sky Meadows Loop

Highlights: views, meadows, historic area, Appalachian Trail Distance: 7.3 mile loop Elevation change: 1,254 Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Visitor center parking area on state route 710, entrance fee required Website: Sky Meadows State Park Beer Pairings: Old Bust Head Brewing—Graffiti House IPA & Bust Head English-style Ale The Hike: Sky Meadows State Park has

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Breaks Interstate Park Loop

Highlights: Great views, wildlife, wildflowers, rock formations Distance: 3.6 mile loop Elevation change: 380 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Commission Circle (route 702) to Picnic Shelter # 2 parking area Website: Breaks Interstate Park Beer Pairings: Adventure Brewery—Expedition IPA and Rod & Reel Pilsner The Hike: Breaks Interstate Park is called “the Grand Canyon

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