Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

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While we are still gathering the data, early information indicates that this year's First Day Hikes were record setting. Thank you all for starting our 80th anniversary year in such an amazing way.

It was extremely hard to pick the photography contest winners out of the 355 submissions. I enjoyed every photo and some of the very clever names. Each photograph is personally downloaded from the contest site so I saw each one and then agonized over the winners. I ended up awarding 13 winners as opposed to the 6 prizes promised. Color or lack there of and contrast tended to make pictures stand out in the bleak winter setting.

You will have to scroll down past the winning photos to find out who won the team competition. I will be notifying all winners by email no later than tomorrow. 

Grand Prize Winner

Epiphany, Grayson Highlands State Park
Epiphany
Grayson Highlands State Park
Hannah Long

Two First Place Winners were selected:

Frontier Cabin at Wildness Road
Frontier Cabin at Wilderness Road
Wilderness Road State Park
RJ Rose

Nature's Beauty

Nature’s Beauty
Pocahontas State Park
Diane Leiter

Three Second Place Winners were selected:

Embrace 2016

Embrace 2016
Claytor Lake State Park
Yichao Mao

Happy Hikers

Happy Hikers
High Bridge Trail State Park
Shawn Gregory

Leap Year Joy at Virginia State Parks

Leap Year Joy @ Virginia State Parks
Caledon State Park
Darla Pittman

Seven Third Place Winners:

Chief Powhatan and His Indians

Chief Powhatan and His Indians
Powhatan State Park
Ken Peace

Hiking Buddies
Hiking Buddies
Hungry Mother State Park
Rachel Blevins

I Spy a Good Year on the Horizon

I Spy a Good Year on the Horizon
Leesylvania State Park
Racheal Chamberlin

Molly's Miraculous Marvels

Molly’s Miraculous Marvels
Hungry Mother State Park
Elizabeth Duncan

New River Trail Hoover Paint

New River Trail Hoover Paint
New River Trail State Park
Ron Nester

Ringing in the New Year by Stepping Back in Time

Ringing in the New Year by Stepping Back in Time
Sky Meadows State Park
Rosene Family

Virginia is for Lovers

Virginia is for Lovers
Grayson Highlands State Park
Allan Long

All I can say is Wow!

Team Competition Winners

Prize Team Name Park Hiked # Team Members
Grand Prize Virginia Beach Resort First Landing State Park 6
1st Place Jordan Six New River Trail State Park 6
2nd Place Baker Boys High Bridge Trail State Park 3
3rd Place Team White Mason Neck State Park 4
3rd Place Generation Ramblers Sky Meadows State Park 6
3rd Place The Globetrotters Douthat State Park 6

 

As is our custom, we have put together a video of all of the photo contest entries. With 355 entries, it's ten minutes, but you should enjoy it. Click in the bottom right corner of the viewing window to make it full screen for optimal viewing.
 


 

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

COMMENTS

Virginia State Parks (January 07, 2016 01:07:09 PM): While John is 100% correct and the picture is not technically on Grayson Highlands park land, we are letting the prize stand. Most of our visitors would never know when they left the park and entered the Federal property.

Virginia State Parks (January 06, 2016 07:48:55 PM): Thank you. I will need to look into this and decide what to do.

John Kelly (January 06, 2016 07:08:59 PM): The winning picture is not inside a Virginia State Park. It is the Fat Man Squeeze on the Appalachian Trail a mile or so outside the boundary of Grayson Highlands State Park. It is in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Virginia State Parks (January 05, 2016 02:19:31 PM): I promise you will get your email tonight!

Diane Leiter (January 05, 2016 01:16:56 PM): Wow! Thank you so much! I am so excited to have had my photo chosen as one of the first prize winners, especially given all those great pics you had to choose from! Lot of talented photographers out there - and great parks to enjoy.

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