Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
There are 22 state natural area preserves that offer public access facilities. All of these are currently open to visitors.
Please be aware that many natural area preserves are experiencing extremely high visitation due to a surge in outdoor recreation interest. Visitor behavior and activities that are in violation of CDC recommendations are of public safety concern. Some preserves are experiencing vandalism, litter, damages to parking areas, streambank erosion and trail degradation as a result of capacity being exceeded. If you encounter a crowded trailhead or parking area, please go elsewhere. If you experience behaviors that violate CDC recommendations or threaten public safety, please reach out to local authorities.
The sandy shorelines of Virginia's coastal natural area preserves are not recreational beaches. Rather, these shorelines are managed primarily to provide habitat for rare species of plants and animals, plus critical nesting areas for shorebirds. Some preserves with sandy shorelines are open to the public and available for walking, photography, wildlife watching and birding. However, other shoreline areas are closed due to the presence of protected species and nesting birds. Check the preserve web page before visiting.
This page will be updated as situations change.
Natural areas have small (5- to 20-car) parking areas. When a parking area is full, please do not park along the road or in any other undesignated space. At times, parking areas will be at capacity. Guests should be prepared to wait until a parking spot becomes available, or to go to a Plan B and visit an alternate location.
