Explore Richmond, Virginia

Richmond is one of America's oldest cities. It was incorporated in 1742, and it became an independent city by 1871. Today, it serves as Virginia's state capital and has a population of over 1.2 million people. Over the years, Richmond has played a huge part in the country's history. In 1775, Patrick Henry declared, "Give me liberty or give me death," in Richmond's St. Johns Church. This statement led to the Revolutionary War. In the neighborhood of Court End, you'll discover several beautiful federal mansions. The White House of the Confederacy is found among them. This was President Jefferson Davis's home during the Civil War.

Great figures throughout United States history have called Richmond home. This includes Thomas Jefferson, Edgar Allen Poe and Arthur Ashe. The 6.2-mile Richmond Liberty Trail is a walking path connecting many of the city's historical sites and 15 national historic landmarks. It's a self-guided tour that is easy to follow with logos and clearly marked arrows. You can learn more about the area's history by visiting the Civil War Malvern Hill Battlefield, the American Civil War Museum and the Richmond Slave Trail. 

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking opportunities available in Richmond. You can rent a bike and explore the 52-mile Virginia Capital Trail or go white water rafting on the James River. Don't forget to explore the city's art scene, which includes street murals, galleries and the Institute of Contemporary Art.

Richmond is one of the best foodie towns in America with everything from food trucks to formal dining. The city boasts over 900 restaurants. Several are James Beard Award-nominated establishments, and the Richmond Beer Trail is an international destination for enjoying craft beers.

Campgrounds Near Richmond, Virginia

Among the many campgrounds near Richmond is the Americamps RV Resort in Ashland, 20 minutes north of Richmond. This pet-friendly campground has 198 sites with full hookups. A large swimming pool, fitness center and several games are located on-site. Free Wi-Fi and cable TV is available. Daily rates start at $40. Weekly rates start at $258 and monthly rates at $600.

The scenic Picture Lake Campground in Petersburg, 45 minutes southwest of Richmond, has over 200 sites with full hookups. Fishing, swimming and boating are offered on the lake. Other activities can be found in the rec hall. There are plenty of games to play, and there's an on-site pavilion. Conveniences include a store with groceries and supplies, a laundry facility and a propane refill station. Daily rates start at $40, and weekly rates start at $250.

The secluded and quiet Camptown Campground in Petersburg has 19 sites with full hookups. It's located close to several outdoor activities, restaurants and shops. Cell reception and Wi-Fi are available. Rates start at $25 per day.

State Parks Near Richmond, Virginia

Pocahontas State Park was the home of the native American princess of the same name. It's an 8,000-acre preserve located just 25 minutes southwest of Richmond. The park is filled with lush landscapes to explore and diverse wildlife. You'll discover over 64 miles of hiking trails as well as three lakes that provide opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating. Learn more about the area by visiting the nearby Civilian Conservation Corps Museum and the Civil War battlefields.

Powhatan State Park is located along the bend in the James River, 45 minutes northwest of Richmond. The river provides several opportunities for fishing and boating. The park's 1,565 acres include 12 miles of hiking trails and 9 miles of equestrian paths. Seasoned hikers will appreciate the 2-mile Coyote Run. Those with young children will enjoy the family-friendly Gold Dust, River and Turkey trails. Wildlife in the park includes wild turkeys and white-tailed deer. 

An hour and 10 minutes northwest of Richmond, Lake Anna State Park features one of Virginia's most popular lakes. It has conveniences like a child-friendly fishing pond, a boat launch, a bathhouse and concessions. Learn about gold mining in the area when you stop by the visitor's center. There are even gold-mining events held in the park that allow you to try your hand at it. Eleven hiking trails wind through the park's hardwood and pine forests. All are rated as easy to navigate. Swimming is available at a beach with a lifeguard, and fishing enthusiasts love the bass, crappie and bream found in the lake.

National Sites Near Richmond Virginia

The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Richmond is a great place to learn about this accomplished Black woman and the area she called home. She was a leader in the post-Civil War Independent Order of St. Luke. She founded the St. Luke Newspaper as well as a bank that became the longest-operating Black bank in the United States. Visitors can tour her home and see St. Luke Hall. Hiking trails are located nearby.

An hour southeast of Richmond, Green Spring Plantation is a modest portion of the Colonial National Historical Park in Williamsburg. This area was the home of Governor William Berkeley in the mid-1600s. He experimented with different crops on the property of his grand mansion as he guided the farmers and settlers of the new colony of Virginia. Interpretive signs guide you along as you view what remains of the original brick buildings.

Jamestown Island is found in the tidewater area of the James River in southeastern Virginia, an hour and 10 minutes southeast of Richmond. This island was originally a peninsula when European colonists first arrived in 1607. Over time, erosion has turned the peninsula into an island. Its swamps and marshes are much the same as they were when the colonists found them in the 17th century. The original Jamestown settlement has been discovered through recent archaeological research, and visitors can view the active dig site. Bird-watchers come to see the migratory waterfowl that nest here. The island's only trail features observation sites and boardwalks that are shared by hikers and bicyclists.

National Forests Near Richmond, Virginia

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests includes 1.8 million acres of the Appalachian Mountains. It covers portions of Virginia, Kentucky and West Virginia and is approximately two hours and 15 minutes northwest of Richmond. Visitors can observe 200 species of birds, 100 kinds of fish and mammals, and over 2,000 varieties of plants. The pine and hardwood forests provide you with 2,000 miles of hiking trails. This includes a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Typical wildlife found in the area includes white-tailed deer, black bears, bobcats and bald eagles. 

Three hours and 20 minutes northwest of Richmond, Monongahela National Forest encompasses 919,000 acres of West Virginia's highlands. The 75 species of trees in this forest include red spruce, balsam fir and mountain ash. The 825 miles of hiking trails allow you to explore the area up close, and you may be lucky enough to spot one of the nine threatened or endangered species of wildlife that live here. The forest is also home to black bears, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels and grouse. 

Croatan National Forest in North Carolina, three hours and 55 minutes south of Richmond, is a wooded region that is surrounded on three sides by water. The area encompasses 159,885 acres of swamps, salt estuaries, bogs and pocosins. The Native Americans who lived here learned to thrive in this setting. They took advantage of the abundant fishing and hunting that was available to them. They successfully cultivated vegetables and herbs on the land. When European settlers arrived, they overlooked this area. They viewed it as useless swampland. Today, guests can explore the forest on several hiking trails. Wildlife found here includes black bears, raccoons, squirrels, wild turkeys and alligators.