The Best Virginia Road Trip for Adventure Seekers

Are you looking for the perfect Virginia road trip itinerary? Maybe a change in travel plans has you thinking you would rather stay close to home. Seeing new sights during a staycation in Virginia can reinvigorate your love for the Old Dominion State and bring new life to how you think about where you live. The opportunities for adventures can also lead to unexpected tangents if you leave the itinerary open. 

Finding fun, excitement, and fresh air to fulfill your adventurous spirit is possible any day. We organized your itinerary by regions of Virginia.

Here are our best Virginia road trip itineraries for adventure seekers!

1. Northern Virginia

2. Shenandoah Valley

3. Chesapeake Bay/Hampton Roads

4. Richmond/Central Virginia

5. Southwest Virginia

1.Northern Virginia

Spend the day exploring the historic capital of our nation in unique ways! Here are some things to get you started:

• Axe Throwing: Enjoy the thrill of a traditional Canadian backyard pastime right in the heart of our nation’s capital!  
• Washington DC Segway/Bike Tour: Live in Virginia but have never had the chance to explore Washington D.C.? This is a unique tour for both those new to the city and those locals looking to experience Washington DC with an effortless glide. 
• Great Falls Rock Climbing: Ever thought you could rock climb over the rapids of Great Falls? Rock climbing at Great Falls offers spectacular views and terrain for all levels of climbers. In addition to great climbing, Great Falls is the perfect classroom for learning top roping, anchoring, or taking an AMGA SPI program.

• Roosevelt Island: It is accessible by footbridge from the parking lot, off the north-bound lane of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and includes a memorial plaza with a 17-foot statue of Roosevelt as-well-as nearly 2-miles of trails through forest and wetlands.

2.Shenandoah Valley

The Shenandoah Valley has beautiful scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains stretches across most of western Virginia. Find your epic adventure in the valley while adding some excitement to your Virginia road trip!

• Hiking & Paddling – You can hike on the Appalachian Mountain trails in the morning and end your day with a relaxing paddle on the river in your choice of a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard.
• Spelunking/Caving – Get dirty. Get tired. Get caving. The Grand Cavern gets you fully suited to explore the Fountain Cave. It is a former commercial cave that has not been open to the public for almost 100 years!  There are no lights inside the cavern and the only thing that remains is a once used, rugged 1800’s pathway.
• Beginner to Expert Outdoor Rock Climbing – Virginia has prime rock climbing in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a variety of different climbing levels and styles. 
• Civil War Battlefield: At New Market in 1864, about 6,000 Federals under Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel clashed with 4,500 Confederates led by Maj. Gen. John Breckenridge. The Hall of Valor, a focal point of the 280-acre battlefield park, presents a survey of the entire Civil War through its exhibits.
• Shenandoah River State Park: This park is on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and has more than 1,600 acres along 5.2 miles of shoreline. In addition to the meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. A large riverside picnic area, picnic shelters, trails, river access and a car-top boat launch make this a popular destination for families, anglers and canoeists. Ten riverfront tent campsites, a campground with water and electric sites, cabins, camping cabins and a group campground are available. With more than 24 miles of trails, the park has plenty of options for hiking, biking, horseback riding and adventure.

• Elizabeth Furnace/George Washington National Forest: Known for its family friendly atmosphere, Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area is a must do trip. Enjoy hiking the Pig Iron and Charcoal trail and learn how iron was made. Spend the day fishing from a stocked trout stream, grilling out at one of our picnic spots, or taking a stroll across the swinging bridge to view the historical cabin. Stay the night at one of their charming campsites and have some fun roasting marshmallows around an open campfire.
• Museum of the Shenandoah Valley: The MSV is a great place to begin your Shenandoah Valley visit and Winchester is an ideal home base as you explore the region. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley tells the stories of the ten counties—two in West Virginia and eight in Virginia—that stretch from the Potomac River in the north to the Roanoke Valley in the south.
• Shenandoah Spirit Trail: Enjoy wineries, craft breweries, cideries and distilleries. Along the way visit incredible mountain views with unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities, historic treasures, and charming downtowns loaded with shops and eateries. We encourage you to stay and SIP awhile in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley!

3.Chesapeake Bay/Hampton Roads

Virginia’s beautiful Eastern Shore offers recreational access to the Chesapeake Bay and the chance to explore a unique coastal habitat.

• Surfing in Virginia Beach – Have you ever wanted to learn how to surf? This company offers surfing lessons for people of all ages and needs! Already know how to surf and just need a surfboard? They sell and rent boards of all sizes!

• Adventure Park – Looking for something new and unique to do that will get your heart racing with excitement? Come to our aerial adventure park in Virginia Beach for the best ropes course climbing and tree-to-tree zip lining experience around!
• Jet Ski rentals – You can adventure up to the concrete ships at Kiptopeke State Park or head over and see the world’s largest bridge tunnel, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, complex from the water.

4.Richmond/Central Virginia

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this region of Virginia has rolling grasslands, quiet forests, and the famous James River.

• Rock Climbing in the Capitol of VA: The state’s capital offers a unique climbing wall on the stone Manchester Bridge wall. Enjoy the views of downtown and the James River during your climb!
• Outdoor Adventure: Challenge yourself to a 3-hour treetop adventure! This 60 obstacle arial experience features four levels of high-ropes courses and zip lines that increase in difficulty. 
• Kings Dominion: Are you looking for an adrenaline rush? Give their 12 world-class roller coasters a try! Their collection of roller coasters features one of the tallest, fastest coasters on the east coast and it’s located just 30 minutes from the state’s capital.
• Belle Isle: Belle Isle is the James River State Park’s most popular site, attracting people of all ages to the wooded paths, mountain biking trails, bicycle skills area, historical sites, wheelchair-accessible fishing at the quarry pond, good sunbathing and the granite wall for rock climbing.

5.Southwest Virginia

This region of Virginia is home to grassy pastures and meadows, 5,000+ foot peaks, wild ponies, and crystal clear mountain streams lined with rhododendron tunnels. 

• Grayson Highlands State Park: Near Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, Virginia’s two highest mountains, here you’ll enjoy scenic views of alpine-like peaks of more than 5,000 feet. Facilities include a visitor center, campgrounds and hiking trails leading to waterfalls and overlooks. Scenic horse trails and a horse camping area with stables and parking for trailers are available.

• Natural Tunnel State Park Camping:  Natural Tunnel, called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by William Jennings Bryan, has been attracting sightseers to the mountains of southwestern Virginia for more than 100 years. Today it is the focal point of Natural Tunnel State Park, a park which offers visitors not only spectacular sights but also swimming, cabins, camping, picnicking, hiking, a chairlift, a visitor center, an amphitheater and interpretive programs, including guided canoe tours and wild cave trips. 
• Creeper Bike Trail Bike Rentals and Shuttle Service: This is the only bike rental and shuttle service operator conveniently located near the entrance of the Virginia Creeper Trail.
• Climb Bike Walker Lookout: Big Walker Lookout is the designated overlook of the Big Walker Mountain National Forest Scenic Byway. It is a Crooked Road Affiliated Venue that features free, live concerts every Saturday & Sunday from May through October.
• New River Trail State Park: New River Trail is a 57-mile linear park that follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The park parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles and passes through four counties and the city of Galax. The trail’s gentle slope makes it great for visitors of all ages to hike, bike and ride horseback.

For a great full-day road trip itinerary from the northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area, head west on I-66 and continue west on route 211 to Luray for a visit to Luray Caverns. After that, take route 675 and follow it west across the Massanutten Mountain Range to Fort Valley. From Kings Crossing, head north on Route 678 all the way through Elizabeth’s Furnace. Take route 619 to route 340 south to head to Front Royal Outdoors to spend the remainder of your day floating the Shenandoah River. Shenandoah River tubing is perhaps our most popular trip but we also offer canoes, kayaks, rafts, and SUPs. Once your river trip is over, our friendly staff will advise you of great local restaurants. After dinner, it is a short drive back to the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area on I-66 east. And just like that you will have completed an adventure and fun-filled Virginia Road Trip!

As always, we hope that you’ll consider including Front Royal Outdoors in your Virginia road trip itinerary. With lots of lodging and campgrounds nearby, our activities are sure to get you outside in the fresh air while sharing special moments with your group. We look forward to seeing you on the river!