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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Summer Fun on National Get Outdoors Day at Virginia State Parks

By Nancy HeltmanPosted May 31, 2016

 

National Get Outdoors Day is Saturday, June 11
Find your park and summer fun on this list of special programs

Summertime and the living is easy. Well, it is if you take the family to one of our 36 Virginia State Parks. There is so much to do at all of our parks year round but particularly in the summer where swimming and water sports are at their peak. Come out for a dip or a picnic and on June 11 you will find special ranger-led programs to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day).

Definitely ready for some summer fun
We offer swimming at 17 parks - in pools, small lakes, large lakes or even in the Chesapeake Bay

Close those screens and get outdoors to enjoy hiking, archery, fishing, paddling, geocaching, bouldering, seining, nature exploration, biking, tubing, swimming, campfire cooking ... PHEW! Many programs are free but some require advance registration or small fees in addition to the park's daily parking fee. Check the program details for GO Day.

Four parks will be offering archery programs (this photo is from Twin Lakes State Park, Virginia)
Try your hand at archery at Bear Creek Lake, James River, Powhatan and Twin Lakes state parks

Don't forget our Get Outdoors! Challenge. From May 21 through June 30, 2016, visit 5 different parks and earn an annual park pass. Read more about it here.

Find the perfect park to match your family's style of fun from our list of special programs and events for GO Day.

Rent a boat or participate in a paddling program (this photo is from Bear Creek Lake State Park in Virginia)
Most parks have a fun way to get you in or on the water

GO Day is an outgrowth of the Get Outdoors USA! campaign, which encourages Americans, especially our youth, to seek out healthy, active outdoor lives and embrace our parks, forests, refuges and other public lands and waters. 

CATEGORIES
Biking  |  Boating and Water Sports  |  Canoeing and Kayaking  |  Fishing  |  Get Outside  |  Outdoor Activities  |  Swimming
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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

COMMENTS

Martin Brown (September 21, 2016 08:19:52 AM): I love the idea of swimming in a lake. I really want to appreciate the outdoors while on a vacation in the US. The country looks like it has so much to offer for nature lovers. I am planning early for my trip http://www.nriol.net/visitors-insurance/u-s-visitors-plan-early-for-summer-vacation/ and hope to visit the US next summer.

Virginia State Parks (June 22, 2016 04:09:49 PM): So true. The statement that "we protect what we love" is so true and if young people never learn to value and love the outdoors the future of public lands is certainly threatened.

Nia (June 22, 2016 12:25:49 PM): The GO Day is a really great initiative for us all. Getting active outside benefits the body and the mind, and it's great fun - we need to remember that. There are so many reasons for visiting national parks, refuges, wildlife sanctuaries and other outdoor places - I was just reading this article here http://www.visitorguard.com/five-reasons-why-national-parks-and-wildlife-sanctuaries-are-so-important/ and realize it is important that we use these places, don't lose them.

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