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.

Home > Blog > #OptOutside This Thanksgiving at a Virginia State Park

#OptOutside This Thanksgiving at a Virginia State Park

By Nancy HeltmanPosted November 02, 2016

This is the sixth year Virginia State Parks is promoting a visit to one of our parks during Thanksgiving weekend. Last year we joined with REI suggesting we all #OptOutside on Black Friday and we are doing that once again.

And in case you missed it, anytime you buy something from REI your receipt is valid for a free visit to a Virginia State Park (click here for details).

Second Place Winner in 2015, "Early Morning Glory" by Joann Bushay

Thanksgiving and the holidays can be a time of great joy and family gatherings or a time when some people feel isolated and alone. Fortunately a visit to one of our Virginia State Parks works for either situation. Whether you load the family in the car after too much turkey, hike your favorite trail with your best fur friend instead of battling the crowds on Black Friday, or surround yourself with nature to de-stress and renew, our 37 state parks are open and waiting for you. If this isn't your family or personal tradition already, why not start one this year?

For some added incentive, we are offering our Virginia State Parks #OptOutside photo contest. All you have to do is visit one of our state parks between Thanksgiving, November 24 and Sunday, November 27, 2016.

Take some pictures of great scenery, flora and fauna, or folks enjoying all that our parks have to offer.

Upload up to 3 pictures to our contest site or Facebook desktop tab.

The photo used for this year's contest was a 2nd place winner last year,
"Hiking at Sky Meadows" by Tracy Baetz

You won't be disappointed by the prizes either:

Grand Prize: $500 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate
* Use of winner's Photo with Photo Credit for our Jan. 2017 social media covers
* Use of the winner's photo in the eNewsletter
* Winning photo hung in the Community Room of the Richmond REI.
*REI Double Walled Pint Cup

First Prize: $200 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate
*REI Double Walled Pint Cup
*REI Vacuum Water Bottle

Second Prize: 2,500 Virginia State Parks Loyalty Program Points
*REI Double Walled Pint Cup

Third Prize: Virginia State Parks Naturally Yours Passport
(Good for a year of parking/admission at all Virginia State Parks)
*REI Nalgene Wide Mouthed Water Bottle

And if you have watched our photo contests in the past you know we usually add multiple prizes at many of the levels.

We use these photos for marketing so our marketing staff pick winners based on that thinking. So keep that in mind when selecting photographs to enter. To make the contest more fun this year we will be opening it up for voting and comments on the entries. The voting will not determine the winners, but it could influence the selections.

For the complete rules, including deadlines to enter, be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Last year's Grand Prize Winner, "Best Deal on Black Friday" by Shannon Schojan

Click here to view a map of all 37 Virginia State Parks to find your favorite park to #OptOutside.

CATEGORIES

Get Outside | Outdoor Activities | Photography

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

COMMENTS

Bridgette (November 27, 2016 01:36:29 PM): We saw a ranger and he said that the website isn't very clear. The inland roads are closed, but you can walk along the beach to False Cape but you have to watch out for the tides cause you can get stuck there of the ride comes in.

Beach Goer (November 27, 2016 01:03:28 PM): Not sure what that means exactly. Closed to hiking and biking, or open to them? I hope you got to go to First Landing instead.

Beach Goer (November 27, 2016 01:01:10 PM): The website states this in the first paragraph

"Between Nov. 1 and March 31, access to the park is restricted to hiking or biking along the beach, by boat or by the park's beach transporter, the Terra-Gator. To make reservations for the beach transporter, call 800-933-7275."

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/false-cape#general_information

Bridgette dorsett (November 27, 2016 12:51:11 PM): Feeling upset right now. Trying to get to False Cape state park. Drive 1.5 hours and then walked 1 mile to a sign saying "Area closed". Website says you can hike there.

Virginia State Parks (November 26, 2016 09:03:57 AM): Leslie - glad you are stretching your wings. We do a big promotion mid May through June 30 called Get Outdoors! Challenge where we encourage trying new parks. If you visit 5 different parks between Kids to Parks Day (Sat before Memorial Day weekend) and June 30 you can earn an annual pass.

Leslie Bradshaw (November 25, 2016 07:21:14 PM): I go hiking all the time. Last year I tried hiking on Black Friday at my usual park; First Landing. I couldn't even get a parking place. This year, I went hunting for a new park. Test driving new parks has turned into a great adventure for me!

Dwain Branham (November 25, 2016 06:45:14 PM): i have been a state employee for 38 years and i do not get a discount at state parks so i go to federal parks because my wife is handicap we get half price

Virginia State Parks (November 22, 2016 04:00:12 PM): Our regular parking fees apply. In addition to the REI coupon you can check out a nature backpack at a participating library and use the pass that is included if you want to avoid the $3-5 fee. Sailor's Creek and Staunton River Battlefield state parks have no parking fee. I guarantee you will save money visiting a park instead of shopping.

sam (November 22, 2016 11:40:26 AM): so is there free entry on black friday? or only if you have an REI receipt?

Delphia (November 13, 2016 11:20:48 AM): share

Grant Pearrell (November 07, 2016 07:15:58 PM): Thought you might like to enter this contest.

Teresa (November 07, 2016 12:11:08 AM): This is a lifetime dream. Sounds like the ultimate!