Posted July 18, 2015 | Updated June 22, 2017

I shouldn’t have to convince you, with thousands of campsites, hundreds of cabins, more than 500 miles of trails and convenient access to Virginia's major waterways, let's just say it right here and right now, "Virginia State Parks has it goin’ on."

There are swimming beaches, picnic shelters, family lodges, wedding facilities, fun festivals, toe tapping concerts, nature programs, cultural happenings and more from the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, and it is all here for you.

Think about that for a moment, it is all here, for you to enjoy.

The historic area at Sky Meadows State Park features the mid-19th century Mount Bleak House

Come out for a day on the farm, see plowing in the fall at Sky Meadows State Park

With nearly more than 3 dozen Virginia State Parks to choose from it may be hard to get out to see and do it all, so I compiled this third and finally list of even more things you'll want to see and do at Virginia State Parks, but it is really just a starting place, a teaser, if you will.

In this last installment I will share more of the programs and things that you can plan for as a family, or a group: 

1. Paddle the marsh at Chippokes State Park

Although there is no developed launch for kayaks or canoes, they can be launched along College Run Creek and the James River. They also have guided programs if you don't have a canoe or kayak, learn more here, or call the park for details (757) 294-3728.

You can see plenty of wildlife, like this red-winged black bird at Chippokes State Park

Paddling is a wonderful way to sit low in the water and look for wildlife

The marsh flora and fauna changed with each turn and bend of the creek

You can see so much at eye level from a kayak or canoe at a state park

2. Park packs at Bear Creek Lake State Park 

One of the really neat programs they have for you at Virginia State Parks are the park packs (these are available at all of the parks). These backpacks hold a variety of items useful for exploring the park on your own.

The Birder Pack has binoculars, bird call audio identification cards and player, and bird field guides. The Forest Pack has info on animal tracks and scat, tree identification, flower pocket guides, magnifiers and other helpful items to let you find your way at your own pace. These packs are free to borrow and may be reserved on daily basis.

3. Customized Group Tours of False Cape State Park

Group interpretive programs are available for families, scout groups, friends, or other organizations of at least 10 people. Customized programs may include Kayaking, Stargazing and Owl Hooting, Wilderness Survival Skills, Finding Your Way, Coastal Plant Uses, and Wildlife Safari. Registration fees vary depending on program and needs. Call the park for more information at (757) 426-7128.

DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR CAMERA

4. Mount Bleak House Tours at Sky Meadows State Park

Walk inside history by touring historic Mount Bleak House. Join a Ranger or docent to hear the history of the house and the stories of those who called it home. Tours are available Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tours may be subject to Ranger or docent availability. Please inquire inside the Visitor Center for a tour.

This is a special place, the nearby outbuildings are what I really enjoyed like the old wash house. But plan of spending the day here as the family will enjoy seeing the farm life found at this park.

5. Pan for gold at Lake Anna State Park

This is a unique park event where you can become a prospector and follow in the footsteps of "Stampmill Sam". Visit the Goodwin Gold Mine and discover how gold was mined in Virginia in the late 1800's. Then pan for gold on the shores of Pigeon Run Creek. Click here to search for these types of events in our database.

6. Nature journaling and sketching at Pocahontas State Park

Let your creative juices flow for this fun park event where they'll bring some paper out into the forest to take some notes on all the interesting observations you get to make and turn them into interesting memories that you can re-live and build on.

You'll also try your hands at drawing or painting watercolors of the fascinating objects you find. After completing a couple of pages, you will leave with the skills to fill up the rest of your nature journal and carry on the great tradition of the Naturalist's Notebook. All ages and artistic abilities welcome. Materials supplied. Dress for some amount of hiking. Search the events database for more events like this here.

7. Be a volunteer camp host at Twin Lakes State Park

It's one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself and Virginia's outdoors. Camp for free for from 30 to 60 days at any of 19 participating parks across the state in exchange for volunteer services.

One of the perks is Campsite fees waived for the duration of the host's assignment and Free or reduced fees for usage of park offerings, including boating, swimming and rentals, in certain parks. Learn more about this great opportunity here.

B O N U S 

Can you ID this bird? Hint it is the only completely red bird in North America

YES THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT

Can you help identify this brightly colored bird from College Creek Run at Chippokes State Park, Virginia? This is what I do:

If I don't know at the time what sort of bird or plant it is, I will take photographs and find out later. I like to use one of the bird apps to help I.D. them, right now I am looking at this image from home as there was not a strong WIFI signal at the park.

And if I end up capturing a Kodak moment, then I hope to share the photo with the rest of our Park'rs on Facebook, or Instagram and sometimes it might even be reposted by Virginia State Parks. This makes it like a photographic treasure hunt, and we all know Virginia State Parks is full of treasure. It's our treasure, all of us.

Click here to learn about the Merlin Bird ID App from the Cornell Lab. You can even submit the photo and have help to I.D. the bird.

As you can see there is no shortage of fun things to do at Virginia State Parks, we'll see you outside soon. Click here for a map of our parks.

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Editor's note: We just can't get enough of the great outdoors at Virginia State Parks. We have so much going on in nature all around us if we could only see it. This is a wonderful opportunity to go outside and find out for yourself. There are many programs at our parks, so be sure to check our events database  and call before you to in case scheduling changed, due to weather or not enough participants.

We are replaying this series to introduce you to more great things to see and do at Virginia State Parks. If you have any comments or feedback, please feel free to share with us on our Facebook page here. We are always interested in hearing your thoughts and insight.

See the previous parts of this series: 

• Things You'll Want to See and Do at Virginia State Parks
• Ten More Things You'll Want to See and Do at Virginia State Parks

Posted July 18, 2015 | Updated June 22, 2017