Virginia Beach Turned A 640,000-Ton Landfill Into A 165-Acre Park With Two Lakes

Go for a walk on Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach and you wouldn't know there was 640,000 tons of trash under your feet. The 60-foot-tall and 800-foot-long hill sits within a picturesque park that has two lakes, playgrounds, a historic skate park, and a smaller mound known as Encore Hill. Going from landfill to landmark, Mount Trashmore Park is now one of the most visited parks in Virginia Beach, one of the best day trips to enjoy Virginia to the fullest.

Back in the late 1960s, the piles of trash at the former landfill were getting out of control, and the town's high water table meant that the waste couldn't be buried deep enough. The site was an eyesore, so local authorities came up with a plan to transform it into a park. The layers of waste were compacted with soil, and in 1973, Mount Trashmore – a name the residents jokingly gave it as a nod to Mount Rushmore – was created, becoming one of the highest points in Virginia Beach. The deep holes left from the soil excavation sites became the park's lakes. Lake Trashmore is freshwater and filled with a variety of fish, and Lake Windsor contains brackish water (a mix of freshwater and seawater).

Considered a major feat of environmental design, it's become an inspiration for other parks, with Haginodai Park in Miyazaki, Japan, based on Mount Trashmore. Located in the center of Virginia Beach, Mount Trashmore Park sits just off I-264. Norfolk with its international airport is around 10 miles away, and just 11 miles away are the bright lights and beautiful beaches of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

There's a nice variety of activities to enjoy in the 165-acre Mount Trashmore Park. Climbing to the top of the hill is a must for the incredible views, and it can be reached via the colorful painted steps. The long grassy slopes make it a popular location for kite flying and frisbee, and if you stop by the park office, they lend out frisbees and other equipment, including various types of balls and nets. Kids will love the ADA-compliant Kids Cove Playground. With three play areas spread over a rubber surface, to avoid the usual scraped knees, there are several slides, swings, and climbing frames as well as a wheelchair swing. Older kids and adults can burn off some energy on the volleyball courts or large skate park with its competition-sized vert ramp. During the 1980s, Mount Trashmore was part of the professional skateboarding scene, hosting competitions that drew in some big names, including Tony Hawk.

Most of the trails in Mount Trashmore are paved and accessible. The Lake Trail is a pleasant, easy stroll around Lake Trashmore with some shady areas, fitness stations, and picnic shelters close to the water's edge. Although swimming and other water activities are not permitted in Lake Trashmore, fishing is allowed from the shore if you have a license. Lake Windsor is off limits for fishing but you can enjoy the water from a kayak instead. Open from dawn until dusk, the park is free to enter and has several parking lots. But if you were thinking this would be a cool place to sled down come winter, think again. After the carnage in 1996 when more than 5,000 people turned up with that very same thought, it was banned a few years later.

Mount Trashmore may be among the most popular parks in Virginia Beach, but there are more than 200 others to choose from. Luckily there's a handy ParkFinder App to help you out. One of them is First Landing State Park, Virginia's most visited state park and a fascinating place for both history fans and nature lovers. This is where English colonists first landed in 1607, and it sits on a rare habitat consisting of cypress swamps, tidal shores, and maritime forests. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for hundreds of species of wildlife and birdlife, is located a little further south along the shoreline. A medley of trails meanders through the marshes and dunes, where you may see bobcats, coyotes, and deer, as well as a variety of waterfowl and shore birds.

Also on the Oceanfront, take a walk along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, with its 3 miles of fabulous ocean views on one side and a colorful mix of shops, restaurants, and hotels on the other. Experience the lively side of town under the watchful eye of a large bronze King Neptune, before heading to the ViBe Creative District a couple of blocks in. Voted one of the New York Times Places to Go in 2026, the streets are lined with murals, galleries, and art studios. When hunger strikes, head to Tautog's Restaurant for some local seafood followed by a slice of key lime pie, and the Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront is a great option for somewhere to stay right on the Boardwalk.

For somewhere quieter to pass the time, try the overlooked Sandbridge Beach to avoid the crowds. You could also take a trip to Williamsburg, just over an hour's drive north. With its beautiful historic center, it's a picture-perfect destination, ideal for a couples trip.