The summer of 2016 has been an adventure for our family as we accepted the challenge to visit all 36 Virginia State Parks.

We signed up for the Virginia State Parks Trail Quest that rewards you for visiting the parks. We logged the parks we visited over the past years on the website. Within a couple days we received our pins for the first visit and visiting 5 parks. Since 2003 we had visited 8 state parks, with Twin Lakes and Bear Creek Lake State Parks being popular for our family.

The Hurt Family 2016 Trail Quest Adventure begins

Trail Quest rewards from Virginia State Parks

We began planning our park visits and made our reservations on Reserve America.  First visit was our traditional favorite to kick off the summer, Bear Creek State Park. We camped during the Memorial weekend with several of our good friends. Bear Creek State Park is a favorite as it provides many of the activities that are ideal for our school aged kids.  We signed up for the archery class for the first time and loved it so much we went out and purchased bows.  We are looking forward to the next visit so we can bring our own to the park.

Selecting our bows for archery at Bear Creek Lake State Park

Visit #9 was to Westmoreland State Park with my boys to help Gov. McAuliffe celebrates Virginia State Parks 80th birthday. It was a great opportunity for my boys to be involved with a historic event and to meet Governor McAuliffe. We learned about the park’s history and visited fossil beach to hunt for shark’s teeth.

Dexter and the boys help Governor McAuliffe at the 80th Birthday Celebration for

Virginia State Parks at Westmoreland State Park on the historic Potomac River

Visit #10 was a family trip near Farmville, Virginia to visit High Bridge Trail State Park. Growing up in Southside Virginia, amazingly this was my first visit to the High Bridge Trail. It is an amazing part of history and we enjoyed hiking the trails. We even located the geocache, signed the book, and left our mark.

A family trip to High Bridge Trail State Park near Farmville

           We loved hiking the bridge and trails

Visit #11 was July 4th weekend camping at Fairy Stone State Park located in Patrick County. The park is known for its mysterious “fairy stones” or Staurolite. We spend part of an evening hunting for and finding a few of the fairy stones. My mother-in-law joined us for her first time camping and fell in love with the scenery and relaxation.

These are the fairy stones we found

Visit #12 was Chippokes State Park for their annual Pork, Peanuts and Pine Festival. We enjoyed great BBQ and toured the wide assortment of vendors. We were able to see some of the plantation that has been maintained in its original 1619 style.

Checking out the vendors at the annual Pork, Peanuts and Pine Festival

Visit #13 was Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park which is also located in Southside Virginia, not far from where I grew up. We planned a day trip to Twin Lakes State Park, but was foiled by a popup rain storm that presented the perfect opportunity for us to head to Sailor’s Creek. We toured the visitor center and enjoyed the many Civil War exhibits. The park ranger pulled out an antique civil war rifle for a hands on show and tell for my two boys. It was an exciting history education for my family.

A hands on experience at the Visitor Center

Civil War history education for the whole family              

Visit #14 was a camping trip to Douthat State Park which we allowed the boys to each invite a friend along. We camped 2 nights, allowed the boys to fish the kids' fishing area, and enjoyed the crystal clear swimming lake. The boys spent most of their time exploring the stream that runs right behind the campsites. The park is good size park located in a beautiful mountain setting. This was the only park we have visited that has a seasonal restaurant on site.

The boys each brought a friend along this camping trip   

Fishing at the Kids' Fishing Area below the spillway 

As our summer winds down and the kids prepare for back to school, we saved the Virginia State Parks car pass that reminds us of the exciting summer adventure of 2016 visiting the Virginia State Parks. These parks have been a great resource of outdoor fun and family bonding.

We saved the car pass that reminds us of our

family summer adventures at Virginia State Parks

Virginia State Parks have great camping areas, beautiful scenery, nice lakes and beaches, miles of hiking and bike trails and amazing park staff. They are perfect for family vacations or a peaceful hideaway retreat to enjoy nature.

By Dexter Hurt