Posted Sep 22, 2012 | Updated Mar 23, 2017

This series will focus on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at our Virginia State Parks. Part 1 asks the question of hours of operation, are parks year-round or seasonal?

ARE VIRGINIA STATE PARKS OPEN YEAR-ROUND?

Yes, Virginia State Parks are open 365 days a year. Whether you’re after a relaxing picnic or a two-week vacation, leave life’s daily pressures behind and reconnect with nature and your family at a nearby Virginia State Park. 

In fact, the off-season is a terrific time to rent a cabin, light the fireplace and get away from it all. For those who have birthdays or anniversaries in the winter months, Virginia State Parks are ideal places to celebrate those very special occasions.

Park cabins are magical when the snow softly falls outside (cabin 6 at Bear Creek Lake State Park)

Winter fun exploring the beach at Kiptopeke State Park 

A winter hike at Grayson Highlands State Park

Girls just wanna have fun year-round at Claytor Lake State Park

GO OUTSIDE

Getting outside is even more important in the cooler months when we tend to lock ourselves inside and hibernate. Sometimes leading to what is called "cabin fever".

Being stuck inside partially explains why flus and colds are more prevalent in the winter months.

SEVERE WEATHER

April 2011 brought a touchdown from a dangerous tornado to Staunton River State Park

Safety and security is always our number one priority at Virginia State Parks

While we are open 365 days a year, from time to time forecasted weather conditions or storm damage may cause us to close the entire park or parts of the park. We take these threats very seriously, and if this happens due to nature disasters or "mother nature's fury" your reservations will be honored and carried over.

MANAGED HUNTS

Other situations that can also close the whole park or certain facilities may be, for example, when we schedule our managed deer hunts when we may close the entire park or just part of it for safety reasons. These are always planned well in advance and a part of our conservation program.

PRESCRIBED BURNS

Click the image for a video of the burn

"Strategic placement of fire with a drip torch. The purpose of the prescribed fire was to manage the warm-season native grass fields by burning out the invasive tree species in the fields. The grass fields will grow back more lush and healthier as a result of prescribed burning, attracting a larger variety of wildlife in the process. This burn was successfully carried out by a Virginia State Parks certified burn crew on February 12, 2017, at Mason Neck State Park.

The good news is that we post unexpected or planned facility closings on each individual park's web page at the top in a brown box. Calling the park is also a good way to make sure if you are uncertain if the park is open before you spend significant time on the road to get there.

You have 41 Virginia State Parks to choose from, click here for a map.

CABINS

Virginia State Parks provide affordable overnight accommodations with more than 300 cozy, climate-controlled cabins available throughout the state. Many of these cabins are available year-round. From the original depression-era hand-built CCC cabins to the newer cabins, our visitors love Virginia State Park cabins.

CAMPING

Powhatan primitive canoe-in campground open year-round in Virginia

Our camping season is generally March 1 through the first Monday in December but we have some parks that have year-round camping. Shenandoah River State Park (between Front Royal and Luray) has a full-service campground with water and electric hookups and Hungry Mother State Park's Camp Burson campground with water, electric and some sewer sites are both open year-round.

Primitive camping is also available year-round at False Cape, James River, New River Trail, Shenandoah River, Sky Meadows and Powhatan State Park.

Be aware that some of these primitive campgrounds may be by paddle-in access only. Like Powhatan's primitive canoe-in campground, accessible only by the James River has six primitive sites (no electricity or water) and is open year-round. The campground has a toilet but no bathhouse.

PARK AMENITIES

Douthat State Park offers boat rentals in the warmer months when summer staff is on duty

Amenities may vary in different seasons, for example pools and swimming beaches and snack bars that support them are only open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day when there are lifeguards on duty and kids belly-flopping from the diving board in the deep end. 

Likewise, boat rentals are limited to times when water temperatures are high enough to avoid hypothermia if our visitors accidentally fall overboard, or when demand is sufficient to warrant staff to handle the rentals. Call the park to inquire.

You can search the state park amenities here on the park's website.  

• Click here for a PDF of the amenity grid
• Click here to learn more about our state park cabins

I don't know about you, but I love the water, the sun, the fun outside in the summer months, but I also like it when the mosquitoes are gone, the sunscreen is packed away and I can walk the trails without breaking into a heavy sweat. 

I love Virginia State Parks in the off-season, if you have never been for a picnic or hike when it's cooler; I invite you to give it a try.

VIRGINIA STATE PARKS

OFFER ABUNDANT YEAR-ROUND FUN

 

Editor's Note: Grayson Highlands State Park provides year-round access to the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. Weather at the park can be unpredictably harsh, so those planning to access the A.T. from the park should be familiar with its severe weather policy and associated procedures, more info here.

Posted Sep 22, 2012 | Updated Mar 23, 2017