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.


Volunteer Opportunities


photo of volunteers at Sky Meadows State Park

Use your skills and passion to benefit our vibrant and varied Virginia State Parks. Join a committed team of staff and volunteers to keep our parks running smoothly, trails clean and well-maintained, gardens weeded, visitors’ questions answered, and fee stations and retail stores staffed. 

Your help is also needed in inventorying plants and animals, running educational and interpretive programs, pulling invasive plants, running Discovery Centers, and much more. Each park is different and has exciting volunteer opportunities and most of them have Friends groups you can get involved with.

Duties are matched to the interests and abilities of each volunteer. A criminal background check is required for all staff and adult volunteers. (Those under 18 years of age may volunteer with written permission from a parent or legal guardian.)

Need more information? Contact your local park and ask for the volunteer coordinator to learn about ways you can help. Find a park here.


Ready to apply? Click here to fill out an application.

Why Volunteer in Virginia State Parks?
  • Parks need your help – with millions of visitors each year, hundreds of miles of trails, important historical and cultural resources, along with an astonishing array of animals, plants and scenery, there is always something that needs doing!
  • You’ll join a committed, friendly and diverse team of staff and volunteers that will welcome you.
  • There are opportunities to do things you’ve only dreamed of doing, such as lead a mansion tour, cultivate bees or oysters, handle educational animals, or help restore historic structures.
  • Volunteering at a park can lead to a career in state parks, wildlife, or environmental conservation.
  • It’s our goal to make a perfect match between the volunteer, the park and the position. Find your perfect match – there are over 40 parks to pick from!
Explore the many ways to get involved.

Volunteer as an individual - There are so many different ways to help that, regardless of experience and skills, park staff is likely to find a job that suits you. Many of the jobs, naturally, are outdoors and require getting your hands (or feet) dirty, but there is important indoor business as well, such as various administrative and guest relations work.

Contact the volunteer coordinator at your closest park to find out about options or fill out an application.

Join a Friends Group - Most parks have officially organized “Friends of” volunteer groups. These critically important groups organize special events, raise money, schedule workdays and partner with local businesses. They also contact the media and legislature to get the word out on issues important to parks. Contact the Office of Community Engagement and Volunteerism or a specific park's volunteer coordinator for more information about your park’s Friends group.

Student volunteers - Virginia State Parks provides volunteer opportunities for students seeking to fulfill service-learning requirements for graduation. Many teens volunteer part-time during the school year by engaging in events, festivals and special projects, or join the Youth Conservation Corps in the summer. Colleges and universities send Alternative Break groups to serve in parks across the state, and individual students apply for a crew leader position in the summer with the Youth Conservation Corps. Contact us about Alternative Break options for qualified groups.

Volunteer as part of a group - Limited availability? Like being part of a big one-day or half-day effort? Check your park’s events to see what group volunteer opportunities are coming up. They’ll likely have events on Earth Day in April, Clean the Bay Day in June, National Public Lands Day in September, and more. Corporate groups may contact us for state-wide opportunities.

Become a Camp Host - Camp hosts maintain campground sites, greet campers, and assist them in having a great stay. They also provide information about the park and surrounding attractions, and act as a liaison between visitors and park rangers. Some parks offer Retail or Maintenance Host positions, as well. In exchange for performing specified duties, hosts camp for free during their service month or months. Camp hosts must provide their own RV and should enjoy working with the public, be willing to take on new challenges and be eager to learn about the parks. Read more details here.

VAFP logoJoin the Virginia Association for Parks (VAFP) - The VAFP is a nonprofit umbrella organization for Friends groups as well as individual volunteers. It supports state parks and other parks across the Commonwealth. VAFP actively advocates park issues at the local, regional, state and national levels and offers free technical advice and hands-on help to those who wish to form new Friends groups VAFP also conducts regional conferences with training sessions and networking opportunities.

Benefits
photo of volunteers

Job skills

Parks provide training that helps volunteers gain work experience and improve job skills. In addition, volunteer hours count as job experience when applying for employment with Virginia State Parks or with any state government agency.

Loyalty points

As your volunteer hours accrue, you will earn loyalty points that can be put toward an annual pass, or camping, cabin or yurt stays at any Virginia State Park.


photo of volunteers cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay

Positive impact

As a volunteer, you'll have an important positive effect on your state park and the Virginia State Park system as a whole. You'll gain the great satisfaction of knowing your efforts enhanced your state park for today's and future generations.

Purpose

There are few things as rewarding as working toward a purpose that is greater than one person. Virginia State Parks unite people in a common effort to supports its mission: To conserve the natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources of the Commonwealth, and provide recreational and educational opportunities consistent with the good stewardship of these lands, water and facilities that leave them unimpaired for future generations. You can play an important role in advancing the mission.


Application Process

Ready to get started? Complete an online volunteer application.

When applying, describe your experience, education, talents, skills and interests. Each park has unique needs and looks for volunteers with particular skills. The more thoroughly you describe your knowledge, skills and abilities, the better a match the volunteer coordinator can make to suit your and the park's needs.

Have a group that wants to volunteer? Call the park of choice directly.

Please use the specific instructions provided for submitting background check request forms. Do not email the vspvolunteer email address.


For Current Volunteers

For More Information

For information about volunteering at a specific park in the Virginia State Parks system, please call that park and ask for the volunteer coordinator. For general information about Virginia State Parks volunteer programs, corporate volunteering and Alternative Break options for existing groups, fill in this form, phone (804) 625-3984 or write to:

Virginia State Parks Director of Community Engagement and Volunteerism
600 E. Main St., 4th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219

Upcoming events

Powhatan State Park Multiple Locations
March 19, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Clinch River State Park Sugar Hill Trail Head
March 23, 2024. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Throughout the Park
March 25, 2024 11:00 a.m. - March 29, 2024 4:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Visitor Center
March 29, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park The Discovery Area
March 30, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center Lawn
March 30, 2024. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park Cedar Crest Conference Center
March 30, 2024. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park Camp Store
April 11, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
April 13, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Powhatan State Park Multiple Locations
April 16, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Throughout the Park
April 20, 2024. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Holliday Lake State Park Park Office
April 20, 2024 8:00 a.m. - April 27, 2024 6:00 p.m.
Hungry Mother State Park Beach
April 20, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
False Cape State Park False Cape State Park Visitor Center
April 20, 2024 9:00 a.m. - April 27, 2024 4:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park Various Locations
April 20, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sweet Run State Park main parking lot, near pollinator garden.
April 20, 2024. 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area
April 20, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Machicomoco State Park Interpretive Area
April 20, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Kiptopeke State Park Big Water Visitor Center
April 20, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center
April 20, 2024 10:00 a.m. - April 21, 2024 6:00 p.m.
Caledon State Park Picnic Shelter
April 20, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park Shelter 4- Picnic Area
April 20, 2024. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Wilderness Road State Park Visitor Center
April 20, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Douthat State Park Park Office
April 22, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Seven Bends State Park Hollingsworth Access - Entrance Sign - 2111 S Hollingsworth Rd
April 22, 2024. 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
April 23, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park Throughout the Park
April 26, 2024 1:00 p.m. - April 27, 2024 8:30 p.m.
High Bridge Trail State Park Charley's Waterfront Cafe Parking Lot, Main Street, Farmville, VA
April 27, 2024. 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Staunton River State Park Visitor Center
April 27, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park Picnic Area
April 27, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Mason Neck State Park Various Locations throughout the Park
April 27, 2024. 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park The Discovery Area
April 27, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park Stock Creek Recreation Area
April 27, 2024. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park Interpretive Campfire Circle - Campground D
April 27, 2024. 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park Beach Building
April 27, 2024. 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
April 30, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Boat Launch 1
May 4, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
May 7, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park Camp Store
May 9, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Caledon State Park Caledon Marsh
May 11, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
May 14, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Machicomoco State Park Interpretive Area: Picnic Shelter 2
May 18, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Machicomoco State Park Interpretive Area: Picnic Shelter 1
May 18, 2024. 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
May 21, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Powhatan State Park Multiple Locations
May 21, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
May 25, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
May 28, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Widewater State Park Throughout the Park
May 31, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Chippokes State Park Visitor Center
June 1, 2024. 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Bear Creek Lake State Park Various locations
June 1, 2024. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Bear Creek Lake State Park Various locations
June 1, 2024. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Widewater State Park Aquia Creek Paddle Launch
June 1, 2024. 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Hungry Mother State Park Beach
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Seven Bends State Park Hollingsworth Access - Entrance Sign - 2111 S Hollingsworth Rd
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park The Discovery Area
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Twin Lakes State Park The Discovery Area
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Powhatan State Park Park Office
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park Camp Store
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Pocahontas State Park Swift Creek Boat Launch
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Pocahontas State Park Swift Creek Boat Launch
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Visitor Center
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Westmoreland State Park Boathouse
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Holliday Lake State Park Picnic Shelter #2
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park Visitor Center
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Natural Bridge State Park Cedar Creek Trail
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Caledon State Park Boyd's Hole
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Boat Launch 1
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Kiptopeke State Park Fishing Pier
June 1, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Machicomoco State Park Interpretive Area
June 1, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sky Meadows State Park Lost Mountain Entrance
June 1, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center
June 1, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park Visitor Center
June 1, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
York River State Park Visitor Center
June 1, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Douthat State Park Park Office
June 1, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Powhatan State Park Launch A Parking
June 1, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Widewater State Park TBD
June 1, 2024. 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
High Bridge Trail State Park Camp Paradise - 1466 Camp Paradise Road, Rice, VA 23966
June 1, 2024. 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mason Neck State Park Picnic Area
June 1, 2024. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Widewater State Park Throughout the Park
June 2, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
June 4, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
June 11, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park Camp Store
June 13, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
June 15, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
June 18, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Powhatan State Park Multiple Locations
June 18, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
June 25, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
July 2, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
July 9, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park Camp Store
July 11, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
July 13, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Boat Launch 1
July 13, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
July 16, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Powhatan State Park Multiple Locations
July 16, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
July 23, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
July 30, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park Boat Launch 1
Aug. 3, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Leesylvania State Park Volunteer Hub
Aug. 6, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park Camp Store
Aug. 8, 2024. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

 

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