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Population (July 2025 estimate)8,880,107 (2025 estimate)
Discover • Explore • Connect
Follow Virginia’s Rivers, Roads and Local Stories
VIRGINIAExplore Virginia one county at a time. Follow the Potomac through Northern Virginia, discover river towns on the Northern Neck, or head inland toward historic courthouse communities and Southside lakes. This guide connects places with the public parks, museums and local organizations that help explain them. Choose an area that suits the day you want, then use the original visitor resources to check access and plan your stops.
Virginia at a Glance
Population (July 2025 estimate)8,880,107 (2025 estimate).webp){kind=icon}
CapitalRichmond.webp){kind=icon}
Largest cityVirginia Beach.webp){kind=icon}
Counties and independent cities95 counties + 38 independent cities.webp){kind=icon}
Land area (2020)39,482.11 sq mi (2020).webp){kind=icon}
Water area (2020)3,292.71 sq mi (2020).webp){kind=icon}
StatehoodJune 25, 1788 — 10th state.webp){kind=icon}
Highest peakMount Rogers — 5,729 ft
Explore Virginia
Find Your Next Virginia County
County boundaries are a useful starting point, but rivers, trails and historical stories often cross them. Begin with one destination and leave room for nearby places that deepen the visit. Use the questions below to find a specific park, museum or community to explore.
The selector includes all 95 counties and 38 independent cities. Guide links become available as completed guides are published. The map is the Census Bureau’s 2020 county and metropolitan-area reference map; colored areas describe that dated statistical geography. Open the full-resolution map and independent-city legend.
Counties and Independent Cities
Amelia CountyCaroline CountyCharlotte CountyChesterfield CountyCumberland CountyDinwiddie CountyFairfax CountyHalifax CountyLancaster CountyLouisa CountyMecklenburg CountyNorthumberland CountyOrange CountyPittsylvania CountyPrince Edward CountyPrince George CountyPrince William CountySpotsylvania CountyStafford County
From Fairfax’s Potomac landscape to the Northern Neck’s working-waterfront history and Prince Edward’s civil-rights landmarks, local places offer different ways into Virginia’s story.
Explore Local Guides
Fairfax CountyEstablished in 1742, Fairfax developed in a region with much older Indigenous histories, including the Doeg. Colonial places and later suburban growth are both…
Louisa CountyThe county’s story includes older travel routes and the development of communities with different economic roles. Mineral’s mining associations offer one thread, while the…
Halifax CountySeparated from Lunenburg County in 1752, Halifax first held court at Hampton Wade’s house. The later courthouse site has served court purposes since 1803,…Prince Edward CountyIn 1951, students at Robert Russa Moton High School, led by Barbara Johns, challenged unequal school conditions through a strike. Their case became part…
Featured Virginia Counties
Fairfax CountyEstablished in 1742, Fairfax developed in a region with much older Indigenous histories, including the Doeg. Colonial places and later suburban growth are both…
Louisa CountyThe county’s story includes older travel routes and the development of communities with different economic roles. Mineral’s mining associations offer one thread, while the…Halifax CountySeparated from Lunenburg County in 1752, Halifax first held court at Hampton Wade’s house. The later courthouse site has served court purposes since 1803,…Prince Edward CountyIn 1951, students at Robert Russa Moton High School, led by Barbara Johns, challenged unequal school conditions through a strike. Their case became part…
Meet the Commonwealth
Virginia
A rewarding Virginia trip can begin with a small, concrete question. How did a river shape a town? What can a school building tell us about the struggle for equal education? Why did a railway, mill or courthouse develop in this particular setting? Museums, public lands and historic districts offer different evidence, and the most useful itinerary leaves time to look closely.
Consider pairing a public outdoor stop with a place of interpretation. Great Falls and Fairfax’s historic sites invite one kind of day; the Moton Museum and the Farmville area offer another. On the Northern Neck, Belle Isle State Park and Reedville’s maritime collections bring waterways into focus. Southside lake communities provide a different landscape again. These are starting points for exploration, not promises about opening hours, admission or access. Follow each destination’s own guidance when planning.
Photo credits and original image sources
At-a-glance sources: U.S. Census Bureau population and land area; Commonwealth facts and symbols; statehood and history; Mount Rogers elevation. Water area uses 2020 Census geographic measurements.
Local Places, Shared Stories
Water and Landscape
Rivers, lakes and wooded public lands help connect Virginia’s local stories. Choose a specific access point and use the land manager’s current visitor guidance.
History in Place
A courthouse, school, mill or museum can turn an abstract event into a local story. Look for interpretation that includes the people whose work and choices shaped it.
Community Connections
Libraries, local museums and visitor organizations help visitors understand a place beyond its best-known landmark. Their resources can suggest a more focused next stop.
Plan With Care
Keep the itinerary realistic, distinguish public sites from private property, and check the original source for current arrangements before traveling.
THE
Virginia Dispatch
News and public information from Virginia publishers and agencies
Cardinal News
Lynchburg Councilman Misjuns says he received death threat after resident criticized his social media as ‘hate speech’
A video went viral, bringing hundreds of thousands of eyes to the at-large representative who’s up for reelection…
Read the full storyVIRGINIA NEWSCommunity sponsors
Around Virginia
Stories from every corner of Virginia.
Lynchburg Councilman Misjuns says he received death threat after resident criticized his social media as ‘hate speech’
A video went viral, bringing hundreds of thousands of eyes to the at-large representative who’s up for reelection…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
U.S. energy secretary announces electric grid upgrades across parts of APCo’s service area
Up to $50 million in federal money will go toward transmission line work to increase energy supply, U.S.…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Perriello holds 2-1 cash advantage over McGuire. He’s the only Democratic challenger in Virginia with financial edge.
The latest round of campaign finance reports came out Friday. Here's what they show in Virginia's U.S. House…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Google confirmed as parent company for data center project in Roanoke County
The Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority recently pulled out of an NDA on the project at I-81/581…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Vinton hopes a downtown anchor project will rise from the ashes of 2022 fire
The town is seeking development proposals for a site it called a "visible scar." The post Vinton hopes…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min readSTATE SYMBOLS
Nickname Motto State bird State flower State tree State dog
Symbols of the Commonwealth
Official symbols connect Virginia’s history and natural landscape.
Old Dominion
A historic nickname reflecting Virginia’s colonial past.
Sic semper tyrannis
Thus always to tyrants.
Northern cardinal
Virginia’s official state bird.
American dogwood
The dogwood blossom is Virginia’s official state flower.
American dogwood
The dogwood also serves as Virginia’s official state tree.
American foxhound
Virginia’s official state dog.
Virginia’s Identity
Virginia’s identity reaches from the Blue Ridge to the Chesapeake Bay. Independent cities and counties form distinct local governments, while rivers, roads and shared histories connect their communities. Explore each place through its public lands, museums and local institutions.
VIRGINIA IN PICTURES
Virginia
Old DominionExplore local places and find practical resources for your next visit.
Our State. Our Stories.★
HELPFUL RESOURCES
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Virginia Resources
Explore local places and find practical resources for your next visit.
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Virginia voter services — Find official voter registration, election and polling information. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia General Assembly — Find state legislators, legislative sessions and public information. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia tax services — Find Commonwealth tax forms, filing and payment information. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia vital records — Review requests for eligible Virginia birth, death and marriage records. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia social services — Find benefit-program guidance and local social-services contacts. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia government services — Locate state services by subject. (Virginia statewide)
- Local government directory — Find official county, city and town government websites. (Virginia statewide)
- State agency directory — Locate state agencies and their official services. (Virginia statewide)
- Public meetings and directories — Find public meeting notices, publications and state employee directories. (Virginia statewide)
- Office of the Governor — Find the Governor’s office, constituent services and official information. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- School Quality Profiles — Find state reporting on schools and school divisions. (Virginia statewide)
- Home instruction — Review state home-instruction guidance and local reporting requirements. (Virginia statewide)
- Special education — Find VDOE special-education information and family resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia community colleges — Explore community-college education and workforce-training pathways. (Virginia statewide)
- Federal student aid — Find federal financial-aid applications and student-aid guidance. (National student service)
- Virginia public school enrollment — Review statewide enrollment requirements before contacting your local division. (Virginia statewide)
- Graduation requirement resources — Find state diploma and graduation-planning guidance. (Virginia statewide)
- VDOE family questions — Find the education department’s answers to common family questions. (Virginia statewide)
- Colleges and universities — Explore public and private higher-education resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Educator and school resources — Find official resources for educators, students and families. (Virginia statewide)
Find hospitals, healthcare services and patient-support resources.
- Virginia local health districts — Find the public health district and offices serving your locality. (Virginia statewide)
- VDH health facility oversight — Find licensing information and facility oversight contacts. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Medicaid — Find official coverage and member-service information. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia health insurance marketplace — Review coverage options through the state marketplace. (Virginia statewide)
- HRSA health center locator — Search nearby federally supported health centers. (National locator)
- Medicare Care Compare — Compare participating hospitals and other providers by location. (National locator)
- Virginia 211 — Find local assistance with health access, transportation and basic needs. (Virginia statewide)
- VA health facilities — Locate VA medical services for eligible veterans. (National locator)
- Virginia immunization services — Find public vaccination information and service resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia maternal health — Find state maternal-health resources and support. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Active Alerts — Check current statewide public-safety alerts. (Virginia statewide)
- Missing Persons — View official missing-person notices and reporting information. (Virginia statewide)
- Criminal Record Check — Find state criminal-history record request procedures. (Virginia statewide)
- Fingerprinting — Review official fingerprinting service information. (Virginia statewide)
- Aggressive/Reckless Driver: How to Report — Read the State Police procedure for reporting dangerous driving. (Virginia statewide)
- Crime Prevention — Browse practical crime-prevention resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Vehicle Safety Inspection — Find information about Virginia vehicle safety inspections. (Virginia statewide)
- Vehicle Recalls — Check official resources for vehicle safety recalls. (Virginia statewide)
- Missing Children Clearinghouse (MCC) — Find state assistance and information concerning missing children. (Virginia statewide)
- Sex Offender Registry — Access the official public registry and its usage guidance. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- VDEM preparedness — Find Virginia household emergency planning resources. (Virginia statewide)
- National Weather Service — Enter your location for official forecasts, watches and warnings. (National service)
- Virginia 511 — Check traffic incidents and road conditions before travel. (Virginia statewide)
- Ready.gov emergency kit — Use the federal checklist to assemble household emergency supplies. (National service)
- Ready.gov family plan — Prepare a household communication and meeting plan. (National service)
- Flood preparation — Find preparation and response guidance for flooding. (National service)
- Power outage preparation — Plan for loss of electricity and essential powered equipment. (National service)
- Disaster assistance — Check assistance available after a federally declared disaster. (National service)
- Red Cross shelters — Check open shelters during a disaster. (National service)
- FEMA mobile app — Review official mobile warning and preparedness tools. (National service)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Find a Park — Compare Virginia state parks by location when planning a regional outing. (Virginia statewide)
- Park trail maps — Download park maps before choosing a walking or riding route. (Virginia statewide)
- Find programs and events — Check ranger programs and scheduled activities by park and date. (Virginia statewide)
- Reservation information — Review how to reserve campsites, cabins and other facilities. (Virginia statewide)
- Prices — Check the official fee schedule before your visit. (Virginia statewide)
- Search by amenity — Find parks with the facilities your group needs. (Virginia statewide)
- Accessibility — Review accessible facilities and visitor assistance. (Virginia statewide)
- Become a Junior Ranger — Find children's learning activities available through the state park system. (Virginia statewide)
- Rules and regulations — Check visitor rules, permitted activities and restrictions. (Virginia statewide)
- Know Before You Go — Review practical preparation and park-visit guidance. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Park trail maps — Download official state park trail maps and choose an appropriate route. (Virginia statewide)
- Hiking — Find state park walking opportunities and planning information. (Virginia statewide)
- Biking — Identify parks with cycling opportunities and check permitted use. (Virginia statewide)
- Equestrian — Find horse-trail and horse-camping information. (Virginia statewide)
- Accessibility — Check accessibility information before choosing a trail. (Virginia statewide)
- All-Terrain Wheelchairs available — Find parks offering all-terrain wheelchair access and reservation details. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Trails — Explore the state's overview of established trail systems. (Virginia statewide)
- Water Trails and Public Access — Locate water-trail planning resources and public access information. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Outdoors Plan Mapper — Use the state recreation map to explore outdoor facilities. (Virginia statewide)
- Greenways and Trails — Learn about the state's greenway and trail network. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Regulated Electric Companies & Service Map — Identify electric service territories; confirm service for your specific address. (Virginia statewide)
- Regulated Gas Companies & Service Map — Identify regulated gas providers and their service areas. (Virginia statewide)
- Regulated Water/Sewer Companies — Find regulated water and sewer companies; municipal systems may be separate. (Virginia statewide)
- Universal Service: Lifeline — Review the telephone affordability program and application resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Electricity FAQs — Find answers about electric utility service and billing. (Virginia statewide)
- Natural Gas FAQs — Find answers about gas service and customer responsibilities. (Virginia statewide)
- Water/Sewer FAQs — Review state guidance on water and sewer utility service. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia 811 — Request underground utility marking before digging. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Energy Sense helps you save energy — Find practical guidance on reducing household energy use. (Virginia statewide)
- Tips for Conserving Water — Explore water-saving practices for home and garden. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Get a Library Card — Check eligibility for a Library of Virginia account and remote resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Catalog Search — Search the state library catalog for books and archival material. (Virginia statewide)
- Databases & eBooks — Explore online research databases and electronic books; access rules vary. (Virginia statewide)
- Research Guides & Indexes — Find guidance for Virginia genealogy and historical research. (Virginia statewide)
- Ask a Research Question — Ask state library staff for help locating research material. (Virginia statewide)
- Interlibrary Loan — Review options for borrowing state library material through a local library. (Virginia statewide)
- Digital Collections — Browse digitized photographs, records and historical documents. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Chronicle — Search digitized historical Virginia newspapers. (Virginia statewide)
- Ancestry for Virginians — Review access to selected Virginia genealogical records. (Virginia statewide)
- Educator Resources — Find primary-source teaching material for classroom or home learning. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Find a Local Court — Identify the court serving your locality and its official contact page. (Virginia statewide)
- Case Status and Information — Choose the appropriate court system to look up case information. (Virginia statewide)
- Pay Traffic Tickets and Other Offenses — Review official payment options and participating courts. (Virginia statewide)
- Access to Justice Self-Help — Find court-approved self-help information and forms. (Virginia statewide)
- Other Court-Related Forms — Locate forms by court and proceeding type. (Virginia statewide)
- Assistance with Protective Orders (I-CAN!) — Find the court system's protective-order assistance resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Mediation — Learn about court-connected mediation services. (Virginia statewide)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — Find court accommodation information and coordinator contacts. (Virginia statewide)
- Foreign Language Services (FLS) — Review court interpreter and language-access resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Public Law Libraries — Locate public law libraries for legal research. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Locations — Find a customer service center and check the services offered before traveling. (Virginia statewide)
- Reserve Your Spot — Check appointment options for a DMV visit. (Virginia statewide)
- Driver's License — Find instructions for obtaining, renewing or replacing a Virginia license. (Virginia statewide)
- Title Your Vehicle or Trailer — Review the documents needed to establish vehicle ownership. (Virginia statewide)
- Registration — Find vehicle registration and renewal instructions. (Virginia statewide)
- REAL ID — Review the identity documents needed for a REAL ID credential. (Virginia statewide)
- Disability Programs — Find parking placard and license plate information. (Virginia statewide)
- Change my address — Update the address attached to your DMV records. (Virginia statewide)
- Request a Copy of Your Driver or Vehicle Record — Request an official driving or vehicle record. (Virginia statewide)
- Moving — Find DMV steps for moving into, out of or within Virginia. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Traffic conditions — Check road incidents, closures and traffic cameras before travel. (Virginia statewide)
- Travel advisories — Read current VDOT travel notices and planned restrictions. (Virginia statewide)
- Road maps — Download official highway and county road maps. (Virginia statewide)
- Toll roads — Identify toll facilities and their payment information. (Virginia statewide)
- Rest areas — Locate state-maintained rest stops along major highways. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Breeze routes — Compare intercity bus stops and schedules; service does not reach every county. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Breeze passenger information — Check luggage, accessibility and trip-planning information. (Virginia statewide)
- Commuting and public transit — Find Commonwealth public-transportation resources. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia passenger rail — Compare Amtrak Virginia routes and stations for regional trips. (Virginia statewide)
- VDOT customer service — Report road maintenance concerns to VDOT. (Virginia statewide)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Locations — Locate post offices and collection boxes by your address or ZIP Code. (USPS nationwide service)
- Forwarding Mail — Review mail-forwarding and change-of-address options. (USPS nationwide service)
- Rent/Renew a PO Box — Check PO Box availability, rental and renewal options. (USPS nationwide service)
- Schedule a Pickup — Check address eligibility and arrange collection of qualifying packages. (USPS nationwide service)
- Schedule a Redelivery — Request another delivery attempt for eligible missed mail. (USPS nationwide service)
- Track a Package — Check delivery progress using a USPS tracking number. (USPS nationwide service)
- Calculate a Price — Compare postage costs for the size and destination of your mailing. (USPS nationwide service)
- Finding Missing Mail — Follow the official steps for a delayed or missing item. (USPS nationwide service)
- Passports — Locate passport acceptance services and review appointment preparation. (USPS nationwide service)
- USPS Service Updates — Check disruptions affecting postal operations before visiting or shipping. (USPS nationwide service)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Virginia Department of Veterans Services — Find state benefits offices and veteran support programs. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Veterans Network employment services — Connect with Virginia veteran employment and transition assistance. (Virginia statewide)
- VA facility locator — Find nearby VA medical centers, clinics and benefit offices. (National VA service)
- Accredited claims representatives — Find accredited assistance with VA benefit claims. (National VA service)
- VA health care enrollment — Review health care enrollment and application options. (National VA service)
- Disability claims — Find the official steps for filing a disability claim. (National VA service)
- Education benefits — Review application steps for VA education benefits. (National VA service)
- Careers and employment — Explore VA career counseling and employment support. (National VA service)
- VA housing assistance — Find veteran home-loan and housing assistance programs. (National VA service)
- Burial and memorial benefits — Review cemetery, burial and memorial benefit resources. (National VA service)
Official services and useful starting points. Follow each provider’s current guidance.
- Virginia Works job-seeker services — Find career assistance, training and job-search support. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia Workforce Connection — Learn how to register for the state job-search system. (Virginia statewide)
- Registered apprenticeships — Search approved apprenticeship opportunities. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia state jobs — Search current Commonwealth employment openings. (Virginia statewide)
- Unemployment applications — Find official application steps for unemployment benefits. (Virginia statewide)
- VEC reemployment services — Review the state reemployment and eligibility-assessment program. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia community colleges — Find community colleges and workforce-training pathways. (Virginia statewide)
- Virginia DARS — Find vocational rehabilitation and employment support for people with disabilities. (Virginia statewide)
- USAJOBS — Search federal openings by locality and occupation. (National)
- Apprenticeship.gov — Search national apprenticeship openings by location. (National)
Plan Your Next Stop
Use the official resources below to find services and confirm current visitor information.
DISCOVER MORE
Questions to Inspire a Virginia Visit
Start with a place, a landscape or a story that interests you.
The Great Falls area combines river scenery with nearby park experiences. Visit Fairfax’s area guide introduces Great Falls Park and surrounding attractions so you can plan a focused outdoor visit.
High Bridge Trail is a principal outdoor attraction, with a former railway bridge crossing the river valley. Choose a trail access point based on the distance you want to walk or ride.
Red Hill interprets Patrick Henry’s final home and burial place near Brookneal. Plan time for the historic grounds and museum interpretation, and consult the site’s visitor information for available tours.
Belle Isle State Park combines Rappahannock shoreline, creeks, fields and woods. Consult its trail guide to choose a walk through those habitats, with time to pause at the water’s edge.
The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum preserves the heritage of local fishermen and Chesapeake watermen. Its exhibits offer a useful introduction before exploring Reedville’s waterfront setting and the wider coastal landscape.
The Louisa County Museum and Visitor Information Center provides a useful first stop in town. Combine its historical context with the tourism guide’s suggestions for a route through the surrounding county.
Mecklenburg Tourism promotes a mural trail linking stops around the county. Use its trail information to build a town-to-town outing, leaving time to look at each work rather than simply collecting stops.
Prince William Forest Park offers wooded trails, streams and camping experiences. Consult the National Park Service’s trail and visitor information to choose a route suited to your available time.
James Madison’s Montpelier offers history interpretation and walking trails. Choose the tour or outdoor experience that fits your interests, and consult the site’s current program before planning the day.
Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve is featured in Stafford’s outdoor itineraries. Choose a designated trail and check current access details; the preserve’s wildlife and waterside habitats reward a patient, quiet visit.
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY
Discover. Explore. Connect.
Explore Virginia’s county guides for local places, public resources and community connections.
Discover. Explore. Connect.