Hot summer days call for cool summer fun!
What's more fun than a summer day trip?!? Whether it's a weekend trip or a weekday trip, we've got you covered!
When you're thinking about summer day trips, you don't have to do any planning - let Lynchburg Macaroni KID do the planning for you!
You've asked for all of our best summer day trips in one place, so here it is. Click on each article for more information.
All Ages Summer Day Trips
Lynchburg Summer Family Day Trips, Weekend & Vacation Trips - - Summer is a time for making family memories, so choose a staycation, day trip, or family vacay!
Sprayground and Splash Pad Fun in Lynchburg and Beyond - Find Your Family Fun® at spraygrounds and spray pads in the Lynchburg area and beyond!
The spraygrounds in Lynchburg aren't your only option for sprayground fun! Check out there other spraygrounds and splash pads close enough for a day trip!
Summer Day Tripping: Smith Mountain Lake State Park - Smith Mountain Lake State Park is only 45 minutes from Lynchburg!
At Smith Mountain Lake State Park, your family can enjoy a day at the beach, a hike in the woods, a kayak or canoe ride on the lake, a camping trip or lots of fun ranger-led activities. The swimming beach is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. You will pay a small fee for parking and the admission fee to the lake is very reasonable.
Summer Day Tripping: Maury River Fun at Ben Salem Wayside in Lexington - Hot summer days call for free fun in the water with the fam!
The Ben Salem Wayside, located at 1105 East Midland Trail in Lexington, is home to a small park with picnic tables, swimming, fishing, and boat access. The Maury River, which flows into the James River near Snowden, is shallow enough for wading at the wayside, with deeper water suitable for swimming also.
Summer Day Tripping: Mill Creek Lake in Amherst County - Hit the beach and have a swinging good time at Mill Creek Lake this summer!
Mill Creek Lake Park is located at 238 Mill Creek Lake Road in the Temperance area of Amherst, approximately 30 miles from Lynchburg. The swing jump is a favorite for kids of all ages.
Summer Day Tripping: Rockfish Valley Trails and Spruce Creek Park - Enjoy a day trip to the Rockfish Valley Trails and Spruce Creek Park in Nelson County!
The Rockfish Valley Trails are located on and near Route 151 just north of Devil's Backbone Brewery. Currently, the trails are for hiking and walking only with no bikes or horses permitted. Here's a little info about the trails and park: The Rockfish River Trail, which runs beside the South Fork of the Rockfish River has multiple places to walk down to the river and wade. The Kids in Parks TRACK Trail is a flat, 1 mile loop that follows the South Fork of the Rockfish River and Reids Creek. Spruce Creek Park is a place where kids can enjoy playing in the creek, the mud kitchen play area, sand play area, balance beam, a wooden teeter-totter, and various climbing and play structures.
Summer Day Tripping: Hiking Crabtree Falls - The falls are visible with just a short hike, suitable for adults of various ages and even young children!
Located about an hour from Lynchburg, Crabtree Falls is one of the tallest sets of waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. The physical address is: 11581 Crabtree Falls Highway, Montebello, VA.
Summer Day Tripping: Otter Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Otter Creek runs from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the James River.
Otter Creek runs from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the James River. There are numerous access points along the Blue Ridge Parkway between the James River Visitor Center at MP 63.6 and Upper Otter Creek Overlook at MP 57.6. Several of the overlooks have bridges, picnic tables, or hiking trails to enjoy too.
Summer Day Tripping: Douthat State Park - Douthat State Park, located in Millboro, is about an hour and a half from Lynchburg.
Douthat State Park features beautiful mountain views, a swimming beach with snack bar, fishing, boat rentals, more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, tent and RV camping, and rental cabins. The swimming beach is unguarded, so swim at your own risk. There is a day use entrance fee to the park as well as swimming fees.
Summer Day Tripping: English Park in Altavista - Summer family fun is waiting for you close to home at English Park!
The Staunton River runs beside English Park, located at 206 Pittsylvania Avenue in Altavista. English Park features picnic tables, walking trails, soccer fields, basketball courts, a boat ramp, playgrounds, restrooms, a pavilion, and a splash pad - the favorite for many families.
Summer Day Tripping: Wayside Park in Hurt - Wayside Park is only about 30 minutes from Lynchburg and your kids will love it!
Located at 1678 Main Street in Hurt, along Seneca Creek, Wayside Park in Pittsylvania County features accessible playground equipment, picnic shelters, pickleball courts, walking and hiking trails, a historic swinging bridge, a LOVE sculpture, and an amazing zipline! The bathrooms are located near the playground for easy access.
Summer Day Tripping: Holliday Lake State Park - Plan a beach day this summer only 45 minutes from Lynchburg!
Holliday Lake State Park is located at 2759 State Park Road, near Appomattox in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. Enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, and nature at Holliday Lake. There's free unguarded swimming in the beach’s designated buoyed area at the lake year-round. The park rents Jon boats, canoes, single and tandem kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Summer Day Tripping: Exploring Bedford - There are many attractions for families in the small town of Bedford!
The town of Bedford is a short 30-minute drive from Lynchburg. Filled with small town appeal, Bedford is a great place to visit anytime with kids.
Summer Day Tripping: Escape to Splash Valley - Splash Valley offers a lazy river, two giant water slides, a water playground, spray pad, and pool!
Splash Valley Water Park, located at 7415 Wood Haven Road in Roanoke is a wonderful place for family fun on a hot summer day.
Summer Day Tripping: Charlottesville's Downtown Mall - While you're in Charlottesville, check out the city's four spray grounds too!
Charlottesville is a little more than an hour from Lynchburg. You'll find something for every member of the family at the Charlottesville Downtown Mall. An open-air marketplace filled with more than 100 shops, dozens of restaurants, a children's hands-on museum and much more await you at the Downtown Mall.
Summer Day Tripping: Pocahontas State Park - Enjoy summer fun near Richmond at the aquatic center at Pocahontas State Park!
Located about 20 minutes from downtown Richmond, Pocahontas State Park offers boating, fishing, bicycling, picnicking, camping, hiking and ranger programs. Pocahontas also has a seasonal Aquatic Center open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend with a kiddie pool, fountain wet deck, 3-foot and 5-foot deep pools, an activity pool, and two tubular water slides. Paddle boat, stand-up paddleboard, canoe, and kayak rentals are also available.
Ice Cream and Sweet Frosty Treats in Lynchburg - Incorporate Ice Cream and Sweet Frosty Treats into your summer day trip plans!
10 Reasons to Enjoy a Virginia State Park Staycation - With 43 Virginia State Parks across Virginia, there's something for everyone! Plan a day trip to one of the many Virginia State Parks!
Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway with Your Family - The Blue Ridge Parkway is a favorite destination for families of all ages! Bring a picnic lunch and stop along the way!
The Great American Road Trip: Keep Things Fun with Car Games - Make memories together on a family road trip this summer!
Hiking Day Trips
Hit the Trails at These Lynchburg Area Hiking Trails - Hike your own hike at one of these favorite area trails!
Hiking Off the Blue Ridge Parkway - The Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect East Coast family getaway destination!
Take a Family Hike to Johnson Farm on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Enjoy Outdoor Beauty in Every Season!
Hit the Trails: Alpine Trail at Riverside Park - Hiking is a great way to stay active and enjoy outdoor family time together in any season!
Take a Hike at the Peaks of Otter - Choose your hike at the Peaks of Otter!
Hiking Indian Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Kids love the giant Indian Rocks!
10 Awesome Hikes in Shenandoah National Park - From mountaintop views to waterfalls, there's a hike for everyone in Shenandoah National Park!
Summer Day Tripping: Hiking Crabtree Falls - The falls are visible with just a short hike, suitable for adults of various ages and even young children!
Find more summer fun here:
Lynchburg VA Area Best of Summer 2025 - Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® all summer long!
Summertime Water Fun: Lynchburg Area Pools, Lakes and Water Holes - Sponsored by Rainbow Forest Recreation Association, Find Your Family Fun® this summer in the water!
25 Cheap Ways to Enjoy Summer - Find Your Family Fun® this summer without breaking the bank!
5 Water Holes in the Lynchburg Area for Kids to Splash In! - Check out these five Lynchburg area spots where your family can cool off and Find Your Family Fun®!
Lynchburg Macaroni Kid 2025 Summer Bucket List for Kids of All Ages - Find Your Family Fun® with Lynchburg Macaroni Kid this summer!
Lynchburg Summer Movies - Enjoy a free or inexpensive indoor or outdoor movie in summer 2025!
You'll find family-friendly events to last you all summer in the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events on our website. Subscribe to receive a FREE weekly listing of events and activities, as well as articles and guides about local family fun. If anyone tells you that there's nothing to do in Lynchburg, don't believe them!
Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® all summer long!
