Amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, Charlottesville and Albemarle County are filled with ways for kids to “go wild” this summer. Families have a seemingly infinite number of options when choosing how to spend their perfect afternoon. Daredevils can take their love for adventure to new heights with treetop zip lining, animal lovers can learn about new species, and camping enthusiasts can spend a weekend “glamping” in giant tipis. Wherever you wish to visit, the kids will surely have a blast discovering just how wild the great outdoors can be.
Mountain Adventures
Massanutten Resort (Massanutten)
Massanutten Resort’s new Mountain Mayhem Coaster, opened in spring 2025, offers an exhilarating adventure for families. Spanning 3,380 feet with two 360-degree spirals, riders can control their speed, reaching up to 25 mph. Each six-minute ride provides stunning mountain views. Located at the Family Adventure Park, it accommodates single and double riders, ensuring fun for all ages. Children must be over four years old, with single riders at least ten. While you’re there try out the water park, mountain biking, zip lining, summer tubing, mine for gems and rappel.
Camping
Sandy River Outdoor Adventure (Rice)
There are a million ways to enjoy the great outdoors at Sandy River Outdoor Adventures. With activities such as ziplining at the adventure park, kayaking through rapids and mountain biking, kids will have a blast while discovering what nature has to offer. The park includes rustic yet luxurious accommodations for families who wish to extend their visit for longer than an afternoon. Cottages and cabins are fun options for a weekend stay, and include amenities such as fully equipped kitchens, a charcoal grill and access to the community garden where guests can get fresh eggs. Their “glamping” tipis offer a shower and bathroom, along with a queen-sized bed, so visitors can enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort.
Zip Lining
Bear Mountain Ziplines (Luray)
With over 50 acres of scenic forest area, Bear Mountain Ziplines takes families on an exciting excursion through the treetops of the Shenandoah Valley. There are two main zip line tours in addition to a climbing wall and ropes course. The Mama Bear Zipline excursion includes seven zip lines, spanning a total of 2,700 feet. Perfect for adrenaline junkies, this tour will take adventurers up to 35 miles an hour! It starts with a rustic tractor ride up a mountain road, where zip liners will get a lay of the land before ascending through the trees. For smaller children who still want an adventure, the Baby Bear High Ropes course is designed for kids ages 5 and older. The course includes a catwalk, wobbly log, the “baby bear zipline” and more. Bear Mountain also features a three-story climbing wall, perfect for racing friends to the top.
Treetop Zoofari Zipline and Adventure Park (Richmond)
Animal and adventure lovers will go bananas over the Richmond Zoo Treetop Zoofari Zipline and Adventure Park, which combines zip-lining and animal sight-seeing for an all-around experience that features three courses. For those 8 years and older, the Treetop Zoofari Course allows guests to go through 48 challenges, with 15 zip lines and one free fall option. Half of the two–three-hour course takes place in the forest, while the other half lets adventurers zip above the zoo for a unique view of animals, such as Tapirs, Toucans, Kangaroos, Monkeys, Orangutans and Emus. Once guests climb up the first ladder at the beginning of the course, they travel from tree to tree until touching down on the ground at the final zip. There is also a Junior Explorer course set over a beautiful winding creek for kids ages 4 and older, as well as the infamous Parrot Plunge where those adventurous enough can rock climb a tree, traverse a sky bridge and then dare to drop 30 feet to the ground.
Get Wet
Rivanna River Company (Charlottesville)
The Rivanna River Company offers a fun and family-friendly day trip right in Charlottesville, perfect for enjoying the outdoors together. Families can rent kayaks, canoes, or tubes and float down the scenic Rivanna River on easy, beginner-level routes with calm waters and gentle rapids. The popular “Rivanna Sampler” trip is ideal for children ages six and up, lasting about an hour and a half from Darden Towe Park to Riverview Park. All equipment is provided, and the convenient location just minutes from downtown makes planning a breeze. It’s a great way for families to unplug, paddle, and enjoy Charlottesville’s natural beauty.
Zoos
Virginia Safari Park (Natural Bridge)
Want to get up close and personal with wild animals in their natural environment? The Virginia Safari Park offers a drive-through safari experience that lets visitors interact with animals from the comfort of their own cars. Animals such as bulls, elk, deer, llamas and cows are free to roam and frolic around the 180-acre property. Guests can feed animals through their windows with the zoo’s specialty grain, and observe them following their instincts, which creates a special interactive and educational experience. If visitors want to forgo driving their own car through the safari, they can take a public wagon ride around the property as well. The park also includes a 10-acre walk-through area where guests can stretch their legs and explore one of the many animal habitats, such as the Giraffe Feeding Station, Tiger Territory, Budgie Adventure Aviary and the Kangaroo Walk-About.
Leesburg Animal Park (Loudoun County)
With pony rides, a petting zoo and exotic animal exhibits, Leesburg Animal Park has no shortage of fun-filled activities for the whole family to enjoy. Kids will love the “contact area” where they are free to pet and feed farm animals such as goats, sheep, llamas, pigs and bunnies. After playing with the smaller animals, head to the exciting animal exhibits that feature zebras, kookaburras, African serval cats and more, where children can learn about how these non-native animals live, grow and interact with each other. Other attractions include indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a toddler play area, a discovery room and a theater for live animal shows. The zoo also offers camel rides on select weekends. For families with younger kids or kids who appreciate a quieter space, this is the zoo for you.
SARAH PAYNE enjoys learning and sharing all things Charlottesville. A UVA graduate now, she interned with our magazine and loved crafting copy.
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