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Park "First20Landing20State20Park"Clear, category "Hiking Mountains"Clear results in following blogs.

What's going on with South Ridge Trail? A natural resources stewardship story

By Laura SchliesskePosted July 30, 2025
There have been some changes to the landscape on the South Ridge Trail over the past couple of years. Learn how intentional natural resource management tools are used to enhance, not just the trail, but wider the ecosystem.
The Historic Area Overlook on South Ridge Trail

Hiking Molly's Knob at Hungry Mother as a Master Naturalist

By Haley RodgersPosted April 25, 2025
What a Virginia Master Naturalist sees along the trail while hiking to Molly's Knob at Hungry Mother State Park.
View from the top of Molly

Mother and daughter become Virginia Master Hikers and Master Naturalists together in 1 year

By Guest BloggerPosted April 22, 2025
Kelly and her daughter decided to take on Trail Quest with a goal of completing it in one year. Along the way they decided to both become Master Naturalists, too. Learn about their adventurous year, how they planned it out and her recommendations.
Left: Mother and daughter pose with their Master Hiker certificates after completing Trail Quest. Right: Daughter lays in between all their trail maps and car tags from park visits.

Trail running through Trail Quest: Q&A with Master Hiker, Jessica Hairfield

By Haley RodgersPosted October 29, 2024
Interviewing Master Hiker Jessica Hairfield on her experience with Trail Quest. Jessica is a trail runner who ran on the trails during most of her park visits. She shares her experiences, her favorite parks to trail run at and advice for new runners.
Park ranger presents a certificate that says Master Hiker on it to Jessica who is holding a snake, in front of a sign that reads "Welcome to Pocahontas State Park"

Top 5 things to do at Seven Bends State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted September 28, 2023
Find five fun activities for you to enjoy at Seven Bends State Park, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.
Seven Bends State Park aerial image showing the river, mountains and farmland surrounding it

Making the Most of Our Trail Quest Adventure

By Guest BloggerPosted December 28, 2021
Debra Ryder shares her experiences of completing Trail Quest with her partner RJ Meade. They started 2021 by going on a First Day Hike which kicked off their journey to visiting all 41 Virginia State Parks in under one year.
Debra Ryder and RJ Meade hiking at Belle Isle State Park.

Don't Get Lost in the Woods
.... Unless You Want To

By Nancy HeltmanPosted October 08, 2020
New Virginia State Parks maps use GPS technology and the Avenza Map app to help with way-finding.
Enjoy the hike!

Visiting Grayson Highlands, It's Not Just a Walk in the Park

By Kara AsbothPosted July 22, 2020
Grayson Highlands State Park is not your typical walk in the park, due to high altitudes, weather conditions and not being prepared.
Sunrise at Grayson Highlands

Jack the Border Collie at Grayson Highlands State Park

By Jack the Border ColliePosted March 04, 2020
Jack's back and this time running at Grayson Highlands with his pawrents. They also have some good advice for other dogs and their pawrents.
One of many vistas at Grayson Highlands State Park

Jack the Border Collie at Fairy Stone State Park

By Jack the Border ColliePosted February 06, 2020
Jack is a trail runner and he wants to share his reviews of some of our State Park trails.
Jack poses at Fairy Stone Lake


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