10 Best Spots for Outdoor and Recreation in Staunton

Staunton is referred to as "the Shenandoah Valley's Queen City,” boasting a variety of natural attractions despite its small-town atmosphere. It is the ideal starting point for seeing Virginia's magnificent outdoors because of its prime location in the Shenandoah Valley, sandwiched between the picturesque Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. You can either ride a bike across the scenic pastures or ride a horse and enjoy the breathtaking views, there’s so much to do. Explore the area's working farms and open spaces, go on a strenuous climb through the valley, bundle up to take advantage of the best skiing conditions, or play a game of golf at one of the best Staunton VA golf courses. To assist you in beginning this amazing adventure here is a list of 10 Staunton parks and rec:

This 1.7-mile Bells Lane walk provides picturesque views of the wetlands, Rolling Meadows, and the Blue Ridge Mountains that are located northeast of the city of Staunton. It's a great location for jogging, walking, or cycling, and it's one of the most well-liked spots for birdwatching. If you keep a close eye you can also spot an Eastern Bluebird, owls, and other birds. So, if you are a wildlife enthusiast, check out this location, and don't forget to bring your camera.

People who enjoy playing golf should check out the Kiwanis Disc Golf Course situated in Montgomery Hill Park. It is one of the best golf courses Staunton VA has to offer. Each of the course's eighteen holes offers multiple tee boxes, some made of natural stone and some of gravel. The course has a range of lengths, elevation variations, and fairway layouts. To create a well-balanced layout, there is also a fair mix of open and forested holes. 

At 1,959 feet, the observation platform in Betsy Bell Park offers a stunning view of the Shenandoah Valley. Accessible via Betsy Bell Road from Greenville Avenue, the park features a challenging hike to the top, where you can enjoy the scenery and basic picnic facilities. The descent is just as thrilling, and hikers might even spot the local deer population at night. Furthermore, mountain bikers can enjoy riding the access road all the way through, making it among the best parks Staunton VA has to offer.

This park is a multipurpose recreational area spanning 214 acres and it is one of the best parks in Staunton VA. Playgrounds, minitrains, and ponds are among the attractions for young children while the basketball courts, baseball grounds, skate park, and swimming pool will excite older kids. A 1.3-mile circular road also passes through the middle of the park and is appropriate for cycling, rollerblading, running, and walking. 

The Staunton Farmers' Market, nestled in the historic downtown, is a vibrant gathering spot where locals shop for fresh produce and artisanal goods crafted by local farmers and artists. The market is bustling on weekends, filled with shoppers exploring vendor stalls, enjoying live music, sipping freshly brewed coffee, and indulging in a variety of food offerings. Since its inception, the Staunton Farmers' Market has been a crucial venue for local family farms, facilitating direct sales to the community.

Field of Gold is a key spot for experiencing rural life in Virginia. It started in 2010 when local planners, economic developers, and tourism authorities teamed up with farmers and agricultural groups in the Shenandoah Valley. Their goal was to turn the area into a hub for agritourism, create jobs for farm workers, boost tourism related to farming, and encourage entrepreneurship among visitors.

Experience the beauty and coziness of a vintage 1940s passenger train car while journeying through the Appalachian Mountains and valleys. The Virginia Scenic Railway departs from Staunton's Amtrak Station and the visitors can pick between two train rides: the Alleghany Special and the Blue Ridge Flyer. The Alleghany Special travels through the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley while the Blue Ridge Flyer travels east and rises 1,000 feet before rumbling through the Blue Ridge tunnel. Both expeditions are three hours long providing picturesque views of the surroundings

If you are a biking lover and want to experience the natural beauty of this city through your bike, then visit this place. Bike the Valley promotes biking across the Central Shenandoah Valley, which features pastoral scenery, charming villages, and natural and cultural treasures making it a perfect destination for bikers. Central Shenandoah has national recognition as a bike touring destination and biking is becoming increasingly popular in the region.

The Blue Ridge Parkway offers a unique experience unlike any other. Stretching over 469 miles, it preserves a wide variety of plants and wildlife and provides a chance to enjoy the distinct features of this region. Traveling along the Parkway is a leisurely and serene journey that showcases stunning long-distance views and detailed close-ups of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands.

If you are a nature enthusiast and searching for beautiful Staunton parks to explore in Virginia, then give this place a shot. Situated around 75 miles away from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park boasts serene forest hollows, wildflower meadows, cascading waterfalls, and beautiful views. There is so much to discover in this 200-acre park that is home to a large number of wildlife including black bears, songbirds, and deer.