Tracey L. McNeil is a seasoned attorney and public sector executive with a strong commitment to civic engagement and community wellness. Based in Lake Ridge, VA, Ms. McNeil has served in senior roles at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and as special counsel to the chair of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. A firm believer in balancing professional excellence with personal wellbeing, she enjoys exploring Virginia’s natural landscapes and supports programs that encourage public access to recreational spaces. With legal expertise in regulatory matters and a passion for nature and community-building, Ms. McNeil brings both credibility and personal enthusiasm to discussions around Virginia’s state parks and hiking trail systems.
Hiking is a popular activity in Virginia, with several hundred miles of hiking trails available throughout the Virginia State Park system. Virginia has three primary hiking environments: mountain, central, and coastal. Hikers can enjoy trails traversing through various natural habitats in Virginia state parks — from mountain vistas to rolling hills, from flowering meadows to bayside marshes, and from dramatic waterfalls to the woodlands of the famous Appalachian Trail.
Before embarking on a hike in a Virginia state park, hikers should familiarize themselves with the park regulations and terrain. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation website provides user-friendly maps and guides for every state park that show hiking trail routes, park amenities, and other useful information. One very helpful feature on each trail guide map is the hiking trail information scale that provides trail distance, steepness, and suitability descriptions, and assigns each hiking trail a rating of easy, moderate, or difficult. By reviewing this information in advance, hikers of all ages and abilities can make informed decisions before setting out to enjoy a hike.
Three of the many waterside hiking trails in the Virginia State Park system that accommodate a range of hikers are the Lakeview Trail, the Lake Shore Trail, and the Cape Henry Trail. The Lakeview Trail at Claytor Lake State Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia is a paved, fully handicapped-accessible trailway. At about one mile long, the Lakeview Trail passes near scenic views of Claytor Lake and offers easy connections to other hiking trails in the park. In total, there are about seven miles of trails in the park, all rated easy or moderate. Boat launches, fishing piers, playgrounds, and swimming and picnic areas are some of the other recreation options available at Claytor Lake State Park.
The Lake Shore Trail at Holliday Lake State Park in central Virginia is a 6.5-mile loop trail around the lake. The trail passes through both hardwood forests and wetlands, providing hikers with views of various wildlife habitats and the opportunity to admire the dramatic, scenic view from atop a 40 foot dam. Although the trail is rated difficult because of its length, the majority of the trail is fairly flat, and it connects to shorter hiking trails in the park. Holliday Lake State Park offers visitors a variety of hiking trails and other activities — including boating, swimming, and camping — to enjoy.
Finally, the Cape Henry Trail at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach is one of Virginia’s finest examples of coastal hiking. Located in Virginia’s most visited state park, the 6.1 mile Cape Henry Trail is the longest trail in the park. The wide, flat trail is open to hikers and cyclists, affording plenty of lake, marsh, and bay views, and chances to see herons, egrets, turtles, and other wildlife. In addition to 20 miles of hiking trails, First Landing State Park has a 1.5 mile beach on the Chesapeake Bay, along with boat launches, cabins, playgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation options.
These are only three popular waterside hiking trails at three Virginia state parks — there are more than 40 beautiful Virginia state parks to enjoy. Many of the parks provide hiking resources and information at camp stores, ranger stations, and visitor centers, which can be very useful to hikers planning longer hikes or overnight visits. Hikers can enjoy themselves even more by signing up for the Trail Quest program. Participants log their information into the Trail Quest – State Park Adventures section of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation website any time they hike in a Virginia state park. The website tracks their progress and provides hikers with rewards after visiting 5, 10, 20, 30, and all Virginia state parks.
Visit the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation website at dcr.virginia.gov to find more detailed information about all of the amazing Virginia state parks, including trail maps, education programs, recreation options, facilities, directions, and calendars of events.