National Trails Day is June 4, 2016
Find a program by clicking here

Trails come in all shapes and sizes in our 36 Virginia State Parks

We have long trails like our premier Rails to Trails conversions at New River Trail and High Bridge Trail (the High Bridge of the trail is pictured above) state parks at 57 and 31 miles respectfully. We have short trails like the Southwest Virginia Walk of Fame at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park.

Some trails take you to that perfect fishing spot

We have amazing mountain biking trails at Pocahontas, York River, Douthat, James River and Hungry Mother state parks. Equestrian users can find 19 parks for horseback riding. Thirteen parks have trails that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for accessible trails. We have trails with a vista at the end and interpretive trails that provide signage about what you can experience on the trail or transport you to another time. 

Did you know that the mountain biking community helps develop and maintain these dedicated trails at our parks (like this one at York River State Park)?

In total we have 626 miles of land-based trails in our Virginia State Park system. But that isn't all because we also offer water trails for paddlers at most of our parks. With rivers, small lakes, large lakes and the Chesapeake Bay we haven't even counted how many miles of water trails AKA a gateway to a paddler's paradise. 

Don't forget our water trails like Taskinas Creek at York River State Park

With these amazing trail resources, it is easy to understand why we are all over National Trails Day. This year, Saturday, June 4 is the day we celebrate trails across the country. We celebrate trails that help us explore the natural world, help us stay healthy, and provide an outlet for a variety of activities like bird watching, geocaching, biking, and horseback riding.

Some trails take you to a quiet place to site an enjoy nature

Our 36 Virginia State Parks are offering special programming from hikes and related activities to volunteer efforts to improve our Virginia State Park trails. June 4 is also Clean the Bay Day so parks in the Chesapeake Bay watershed will often combine programs that support both events. Click here for a complete list of programs offered in honor of National Trails Day. 

This year as we celebrate our 80th Anniversary and the National Park Service celebrates their centennial, we have been asking folks to #FindYourPark. On June 4, #FindYourTrail.

Don't forget our Get Outdoors! Challenge. Visit 5 different Virginia State Parks between May 21 and June 20, 2016 and you will earn an annual parking pass, get the details here.