Swimming
When the heat's on, it's time to get wet. Many parks have great places to cool off, grab a snack and enjoy nature's splendor. Even better, guarded swimming is free for overnight guests. Pack up the kids, sunscreen, shades, beach towels and sun hat and head to a Virginia State Park.
Parks with swimming
These parks offer swimming
Please check with each park for swimming availability before heading to the park.
Beaches - Small lakes
Between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, guarded beach swimming is available for a fee. Weather and other issues may at times force suspension of guarded swimming. When guarded swimming is unavailable, guests may swim at the beach’s designated area but do so at their own risk. Swimming elsewhere in the park is prohibited.
Beaches - Large lakes
Between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, guarded beach swimming is available for a fee. Weather and other issues may at times force suspension of guarded swimming. When guarded swimming is unavailable, guests may swim at the beach’s designated area but do so at their own risk. Swimming elsewhere in the park is inadvisable.
Beaches - Chesapeake Bay
Guarded swimming is unavailable at the beach. Swimmers using these areas do so at their own risk. Swimming elsewhere in the park is inadvisable.
Pools
The pools at Chippokes, Natural Tunnel and Staunton River will remain closed for the 2023 swimming season.