Did you know that there are over 400 National Parks in the National Park Service, including 18 in Virginia? National Parks not only protect plants and animals in their natural environment, but they also protect the Nation's historical buildings and land. Currently in the U.S. about 84.9 million acres are designated National Park land.
Now is a great time to visit our local National Parks - get some fresh air, enjoy great scenery and learn something new about our area. National Parks can teach you about history, science, nature and conservation. Spend the day exploring caves, searching for fossils, relaxing by a beautiful river or swimming in a waterfall.
You can visit the National Parks for free if you are:
- Military
- a 4th grader, and family (this pass admits all kids under age 16 and up to 3 adults)
- a volunteer (250+ service hours with a participating federal agency)
- (any age) visiting on a "fee-free" day.
The National Parks in Virginia are:
1. | Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
| Appomattox, VA Approx 2 hrs 30 min from Fredericksburg |
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2. | Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
| Arlington, VA Approx 1 hour from Fredericksburg |
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3. | Booker T. Washington National Monument
| Hardy, VA Approx 3 hrs 30 mins from Fredericksburg |
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4. | Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park | Middleton, VA Approx 1 hrs 35 mins from Fredericksburg |
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5. | Colonial National Historical Park
| Yorktown, VA Approx 1 hrs 50 mins from Fredericksburg |
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6. | Fort Monroe National Monument
| Hampton, VA Approx 2 hrs 10 mins from Fredericksburg |
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7. | Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
| Fredericksburg, VA |
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8. | George Washington Birthplace National Monument
| Colonial Beach, VA Approx 45 mins from Fredericksburg |
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9. | George Washington Memorial Parkway
| McLean, VA Approx 1 hour from Fredericksburg |
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10. | Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac
| Washington D.C. Approx 1 hr from Fredericksburg |
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11. | Maggie L Walker National Historic Site
| Richmond, VA Approx 1 hour from Fredericksburg |
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12. | Manassas National Battlefield Park
| Manassas, VA Approx 1 hour from Fredericksburg |
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13. | Petersburg National Battlefield
| Petersburg, VA Approx 1 hrs 30 mins from Fredericksburg |
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14. | Prince William Forest Park
| Triangle, VA Approx 35 mins from Fredericksburg |
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15. | Richmond National Battlefield Park
| Richmond, VA Approx 1 hour from Fredericksburg |
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16. | Shenandoah National Park
| Luray, VA Approx 1 hr 40 mins from Fredericksburg |
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17. | Theodore Roosevelt Island
| Arlington, VA Approx 1 hour from Fredericksburg |
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18. | Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
| Vienna, VA Approx 1 hour from Fredericksburg |
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Looking for something closer to home? Visit our Local Parks, Playground and Battlefields Guide
Looking for National Parks in another state? Find them here.
COVID-19 Notice: Please check with the parks before your visit to be sure that it is open. Face coverings are highly encouraged in indoor spaces per CDC guidelines.
Sources: NPS.gov , pbs.org , findyourpark.com
