& State Rockbridge On the TrailLexington in Virginia Parks County Come and relax at one of Virginia’s State pollution. Get off the highway and visit a Parks. You’ll find plenty of programs, nearby state park to pedal your way to fun events and activities, with seven of the 38 and adventure. parks right here in the Shenandoah Valley. Learn about a specific park’s trails by Each park provides unique experiences, visiting the Virginia State Park website and some of the most popular activities http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/statehappen on the park trails, with some of the parks/. Whether you’re after a relaxing best hiking and biking trails in the state. picnic or a two-week vacation, leave life’s From the experienced hiker to the novice, daily pressures behind and reconnect with you are sure to find your path at one of nature and your family at a nearby state Virginia’s gorgeous parks. It’s no wonder park. hiking is among the most popular activities Natural Bridge State Park in the parks. It’s low impact, inexpensive, keeps you fit, strengthens bones and keeps the pounds off. Escape the crowds, breathe fresh air, enjoy wildlife, and take in the stunning scenery that only Virginia can offer. Park trails accommodate other activities including biking, mountain biking and horseback riding, and many parks have universally accessible trails. At Shenandoah River State Park you can even zipline. Douthat State Park offers 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails. Several state parks also offer connector trails to other trail destinations. For instance, Sky Meadows State Park not only offers 10.5 miles of bridle trails, 22 miles of hiking trails and 9 miles of bike trails, it also provides Appalachian Trail access. The park also offers a small loop trail in the new outside Children’s Discovery Area that allows children and their families to ease their way into the outdoors and learn to use trails. Biking is as fun as it is good for you. It’s a great stress reliever, especially in the great outdoors while you’re breathing clean, fresh, country air. You can get to places on a bike, especially a mountain bike, where cars can’t go. Biking also helps the environment: it’s efficient and causes no The Gift Shoppe at the AMA Museum
20
