Posted March 11, 2011 | Updated August 30, 2017

Virginia State Parks are great places to explore and help you spend valuable time outside. Sometimes going on a long hike can seem daunting, so for some of us a nice leisurely walk in the woods is best.

Sometimes you need a little incentive to go outside and enjoy a walk at a Virginia State Park, so here is a list of 10 ways to make walking fun:

1. WALK WITH A FRIEND, OR TWO 

Enjoy outdoors by going for a walk with friends at York River State Park

Why do we think we need to walk for miles and miles, or hike up a mountainside, when we can go on shorter walks around the park for a change of scenery and exercise? The park roads and trails that lead to and around the water are always fun, especially when you have a few friends along. 

 

2. BRING THE DOG 

A great day of adventure can be found together at Pocahontas State Park

There is no better way to get non-stop walking on a trail than to bring your four-legged family member along. Dogs love spending time in the park. They are happy to be your companion to walk as long as you want. Happy to stop along the way to sniff out new smells.

 

3. GO ON A RANGER LED WALK

 Learning is fun when you're on a Ranger led hike at Wilderness Road State Park

 

Photo ops can be found just about anywhere like here at James River State Park

 

5. GO FOR THE GUSTO

Make it a challenge to hit a new trail like these steps at Natural Tunnel State Park

Walking a new trail can introduce you to a section of the park you have never experienced before. More than 160 miles of the park system's 626 miles of trails are reserved for hiking, and hiking is allowed on more than 397 miles of multi-use trails. 

 

Enjoy a picnic accessible by a trail to Turtle Island at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Virginia State Parks offers plenty of picnic locations along some of the most scenic parts of a park, some with tables, playgrounds and restrooms. Instead of opening the car and stepping out to the picnic area, consider parking away from it and walking. 

 

7. REWARD YOURSELF WITH A SOUVENIR

A souvenir is a nice reward for a long walk like at Westmoreland State Park

All of the Virginia State Parks have gift shops where you can purchase a keepsake from your visit. Some visitors like to collect something at each park, like a bumper sticker, mug or t-shirt. None are available online, and each park's merchandise is different, so this means you need to come out to a park for a visit.

 

8. TRAIL QUEST-IT AND EARN PINS

 

Explore Virginia State Parks one step at a time with Trail Quest 

If you love the outdoors and love Virginia State Parks then you will love Trail Quest. Sign up and be rewarded just for visiting parks. You'll earn five unique and attractive pins. Get one for your first park visit and others after visiting 5, 10, 20 and all parks.

 

9. SCAVENGER HUNT

Make your own Scavenger Hunt list like this one from Holliday Lake State Park

Put together your own scavenger hunt for your family and friends. Consider including things like: photograph a ranger, or bird. Add a few cleanup items to the list like find 10 cigarette butts, 2 empty cans, 5 plastic water bottles and 5 caps.

 

10. GEOCACHE

Kids of all ages including adults can have fun geocaching at Virginia State Parks

Geocaching is a fun way to merge technology and outdoor exploration. Folks hide a cache, typically a small container with a log book, somewhere, and people use a GPS receiver to find it. Each park has different caches.

 

If it's cold outside, slap on a hat and gloves. Help the environment, bring along a sack to collect discarded cans or water bottles or other rubbish along the trail. But remember to always stay on the trail. 

OTHER SPECIAL REWARDS 

HERE IS A MAP OF VIRGINIA STATE PARKS

TO HELP GET YOU STARTED

---

Posted March 11, 2011 | Updated August 30, 2017