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A Little Secret About Spring in Virginia State Parks
Updated March 19, 2020.
It may be time to get a little bounce in your step as the wildflowers begin to bloom, the birds begin to sing and camping season officially opens. Of course, we're talking about spring in Virginia State Parks.
We hesitate to let the secret out, as Mother Nature seems to quietly come to life, and wipe the winter sleep from her eyes, so do we.
CAMPING SEASON OPENS
Spend a few nights in the woods at Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Let's eat together, outside
Ask any kid, cooking and eating outside around a campfire is half the fun of camping at Virginia State Parks.
Twenty-eight state parks throughout the state offer camping (click here for park rates) with a total of more than 1,800 campsites. Site sizes, configurations and amenities vary. Some parks provide sites with electric and water hook-ups, which tend to be larger to accommodate recreational vehicles and campers. Kiptopeke and Hungry Mother campgrounds offer sewer hook-ups.
Most campgrounds open the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December; primitive sites are available year-round. Park campgrounds are pet-friendly (False Cape has some restrictions). Douthat, Hungry Mother, Pocahontas and Shenandoah River state parks have full-service campgrounds open year-round. Sign up for the Customer Loyalty Program to earn points for free overnight stays (hurray for free stays!)
Learn more about camping in Virginia State Parks here, or by calling 800-933-7275.
You may also enjoy: Learn Why Campers Love Occoneechee.
TRAILS BURST WITH NEW COLOR
Wildflower walks at Natural Tunnel State Park
Enjoy a Ranger led Wildflower Walk at Natural Tunnel State Park. Enjoy a casual walk in the woods to discover the various wildflowers in bloom during the spring season. Bring along your camera to capture all the natural beauty.
Find info here for the April 4 hike, here for the April 11 hike and here for the April 19 hike.
You'll have to look closely to see new growth in the understory
Some other fun spring program highlights: Mother's Day Wildflower Walk at Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Pollinator Planting Day at Westmoreland State Park, Seed Bombs at the Earth Day 50 celebration at James River State Park, Wildflower Workshops at Leesylvania State Park.
Click here to view a list of all wildflower walks and events in our parks this spring.
You may also enjoy: Hiking the Tunnel.
GO WITH THE FLOW
Quietly observe wildlife as you explore the waterways at York River State Park
Moonlight Kayak Paddle
Canoe with the stars at False Cape State Park on April 5, May 6, June 5-6, July 3, and August 2, 2020. Get away from the bright lights of the city and join us for a paddle after dark under a moonlit sky across Back Bay. All equipment is provided, and no experience is necessary. Cost: $25 per person and a Back Bay Refuge entrance fee is required.
Burning of the Socks/Canoe and Kayak Season Kick-Off
Celebrate the 2020 canoe and kayak season with a Chesapeake Bay sailing tradition on May 2, 2020 at York River State Park. Take off your socks and burn them with the rangers. Then join us for a guided trip into Taskinas Creek and the York River. Equipment rentals are canoes (2 person + 1 child) $15, Solo kayak $20, Tandem kayak (two person) $20. Please call for reservations. Bring your own watercraft and launch either from Taskinas Creek or Croaker Landing (interpretive fee $10).
Please note that in order for the rangers to lead a guided tour, the water and air temperature must add up to 120 degrees. Details here.
Cherokee Run: Canoe Trip at Natural Tunnel State Park
Spend time floating five and a half miles down the Clinch River. View a variety of aquatic life from alligator gar to fresh water mussels. Watch Great Blue Herons fly by, and turtles sunning themselves on logs and rocks. At the halfway point, cool off in the river with a swim. If you are lucky, you may see old abandoned railcars. No experience is needed. Paddling is required and guests may get wet. This section of water is designated less than a class I rapid.
To register or for more information, call (276) 940-2674. Preregistration is required. This program is open to anyone age 10 and up and will depart from the Stock Creek Interpretive Center. Cost is $15 per person or $12 per person for groups of 4 or more.
Click here to search for more paddling events at Virginia State Parks.
You may also enjoy: 6 Best Beginner Kayaking Locations in Virginia.
HIKE TO A WATERFALL
Little Mountain Falls at Fairy Stone State Park is all about enjoying the experience
We often hear comments that a waterfall isn't worth the hike, that is like saying the Matterhorn in Europe is nothing worth seeing because it's blocked by fog. You just have to know when to go, and for waterfalls in Virginia, that means after a heavy rain.
It's all about the journey, not just the destination.
Pack a picnic and hike the trail to the falls, but make a few stops along the way at some scenic overlooks.
Little Mountain Falls overlook
Most of the Fairy Stone State Park's Little Mountain Trail System, 10 miles, is multi-use. Multi-use trails are open to hiking, cycling and horseback riding.
The remaining trails, parts of the Little Mountain system and all of the Stuart's Knob system, are for pedestrian use only, learn more here.
You may also enjoy: 4 Favorite Falls of Virginia State Parks.
BAIT THE HOOK
Cast your line and fishing bobber to see what's biting from this fishing pier at Twin Lakes State Park
We're fishing crazy at Virginia State Parks, and believe the early bird gets the worm, so spend the night at a comfy cabin or lodge and hit the water first thing. Need a boat? No problem. Many parks rent boats seasonally. Plenty of parks also offer pier, dock and shoreline fishing. Plus we host a variety of kids fishing tournaments in the spring.
No matter the type of fishing you enjoy - trout, big lake, small lake, downriver, tidal river, even Chesapeake Bay and ocean fishing - you'll find what suits you at a Virginia State Park. Learn more about fishing in our parks here.
Douthat has a "kids only" fishing area below the dam spillway
Kid's Fishing Day at Douthat State Park is March 28, 2020. Canceled
*For ages 12 & under.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Camp Carson picnic shelter.
Fishing will begin at 9 a.m.
A section of Wilson Creek will be marked for fishing.
No permit or license needed.
*All participants must register.
Participants will need to buy parking pass. $7 per vehicle. More info here.
You may also enjoy: Winter Bass Fishing at Smith Mountain Lake and Family Fishing and Crabbing Fun at Kiptopeke State Park.
Here is a list of springtime fishing events at all of our parks, some highlights: Backyard Bassin' Fishing Clinic on April 25 at York River, Kids Fishing Tournament on May 2 at Leesylvania State Park and Pocahontas Fishing Frenzy Tournament on June 7 at Pocahontas.
Who knows you might just catch a whopper, or at least have a tall tale to tell?
BONUS: SPRING BREAK AT FALSE CAPE
Don't miss out on the exciting events happening during False Cape State Park's Spring Break. There are so many options to get outside and exploring False Cape including Beach Cleanups, Archery, Kayaking, Astronomy Nights and more.
Bring the fun home with you. Stop by the Visitor Center for some free wildflower seeds to plant at home. Then, watch them grow and help protect pollinators.
For more information contact the park at 757-426-7128.
Spring break events are scheduled April 11-18, 2020.
You may also enjoy: We are very mysterious.
EVEN MORE EVENTS
We have to admit, we're not that good at keeping secrets, so instead maybe you can join us on a spring adventure.
With 38 parks across the Commonwealth you're sure to find one with a program or activity that interests you. Click here to search our events database to help plan for an exciting start to warmer weather at Virginia State Parks.
Stay a few nights in a cabin or lodge to make the most of your visit, click here to check availability, or call 800-933-7275.
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.