• Hike along the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park.virginia blue ridge image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the most well-known attractions in Charlottesville, Va., is Thomas Jefferson's mountaintop home at Monticello. It is also home to a vibrant cultural and artistic community, several vineyards and a bustling downtown area with shops, restaurants and entertainment. Stay fit and active while kayaking down the James River or biking along the area's bike trails. Several state parks nearby offer additional recreational activities.
  
  

Shenandoah National Park's Rockfish Gap

• Shenandoah National Park's Rockfish Gap entrance is a 30-minute drive from Charlottesville. The park first opened in 1935 and boasts a rich history. It contains 300 square miles of land nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and has an abundance of wildlife that can be observed or learned about through one of the park's many educational programs and seminars. The park also features several waterfalls, including Overall Run Falls in the northern area of the park, Rose River Falls, South River Falls, Jones Run Falls, Whiteoak Canyon Falls, Lewis Falls, Doyles River Falls, Dark Hollow Falls and Cedar Run Falls. Additional activities include horseback riding, fishing, camping and bicycling along miles of Skyline Drive, the scenic road that runs through the entire park.
  
  Shenandoah National Park
  
  Park Superintendent
  
  3655 U.S. 211 East
  
  Luray, VA 22835
  
  540-999-3500
  
  nps.gov
  
  

James River State Park

• James River State Park is 55 miles southwest of Charlottesville in Gladstone, Va., just more than an hour's drive away. The park is situated on 1,500 acres of farmland and features several fishing areas, hiking trails and 3 miles of parkland along the James River. Park activities include wildlife observation, fishing, camping, horseback riding, boating, biking and educational programs. James River State Park has a 2,000-seat hillside amphitheater and an overlook on the Tye River.
  
  James River State Park
  
  751 Park Road
  
  Gladstone, VA 24553
  
  434-933-4355
  
  dcr.virginia.gov
  
  

Lake Anna State Park

• Lake Anna State Park is 63 miles northeast of Charlottesville in Spotsylvania, Va. The park sits on 2,810 acres of land in a spot formerly known as Gold Hill because it was a rich gold mining area until it reached its peak in the 1880s. The park's star attraction, Lake Anna, is a 13,000-acre lake that's ideal for fishing, boating and picnicking. Additional attractions include a total of 11 hiking trails spanning more than 15 miles, educational programs about area nature, swimming and camping.
  
  Lake Anna State Park
  
  6800 Lawyers Road
  
  Spotsylvania, VA 22551
  
  540-854-5503
  
  dcr.virginia.gov