US State Parks in Maryland & Virginia, USA

American state parks are filled with natural wonders, wildlife and adventure. And Maryland and Virginia, USA are filled with ways to head to the mountains or get out on the water and revel in the beauty of the Capital Region's unique landscapes.

Wild ponies grazing at sunset with the mountains in the background at Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia USA

Wild ponies of Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia, USA

Waterfalls at Patapsco Valley State Park in Maryland USA

Cycling on through the dunes in Assateague Island in Maryland, USA

Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia USA

Wild ponies of Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia, USA

Cycling on through the dunes in Assateague Island in Maryland, USA

Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia USA

Discover what enchantments await at the 100-plus state parks in the Capital Region.

US State Parks in Maryland

Assateague State Park

Why You Should Go: Located on a barrier island, Maryland’s only oceanfront park offers 2 miles (3 km) of beaches for beachcombing, swimming and surfing. Explore the secluded coves of Assateague State Park by canoe or kayak. In the marsh areas, see deer, water birds and wild horses.

Magical Moments: Head to the park around sunrise or sunset to photograph wild horses in dramatic light.

Gambrill State Park

Why You Should Go: Set in the Catoctin Mountains, Gambrill State Park offers visitors 16 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, as well as picnic areas and a pond for fishing.

Magical Moments: Reserve the Tea Room stone lodge for a picnic, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Mountains from 488-metre High Knob.

Patapsco Valley State Park

Why You Should Go: Maryland’s oldest state park is known for its 200 miles (322 km) of scenic trails, where you can go hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Head down to the Patapsco River and do some fishing or go canoeing.

Magical Moments: As you travel through the park keep an eye out for historic ruins, like the Elk Ridge Furnace that reportedly produced cannons and ammunition during the Revolutionary War, and the former riverside mill town of Guilford.

US State Parks in Virginia

Belle Isle State Park

Why You Should Go: Eight different types of wetlands make up Belle Isle State Park, where you can spy bald eagles and white-tailed deer while hiking or biking on the nearly 10 miles (16 km) of trails that criss-cross through the park. Take a guided canoe trip during the summer, during the day or under a full moon.

Magical Moments: Stay the night at the Bel Air House and soak in the stunning sunsets over the Rappahannock River. The Colonial-reproduction home was designed in 1942 by an architectural historian from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and built using materials from area historic buildings.

Natural Bridge State Park

Why You Should Go: Experience the magic of this park as you walk under the massive 215-foot limestone arch of Natural Bridge, estimated to be hundreds of millions of years old. Follow the riverside trail to Lace Falls, a tumbling waterfall that’s the perfect backdrop for pictures.

Magical Moments: Relax under twinkling stars as park rangers and astronomy volunteers teach you about the night sky on special Dark Sky Night programmes.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Why You Should Go: Set near Virginia's two tallest peaks — Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain — Grayson Highlands State Park offers no shortage of scenery ... or wild ponies. Traverse miles of hiking trails to immerse yourself in the natural magic as you trek to waterfalls and overlooks offering stunning vistas of the rolling Appalachian Mountains.

Magical Moments: In the first few weeks of June you'll can catch the flamboyant display of pink rhododendrons in bloom along the aptly named Rhododendron Gap Trail.