Summer flew by and now it is already time to get the kids shopping for clothes, shoes and gear for the new school year. It seems like we were just planning this year's summer vacation and now we have to do it all over again.

We just wish it lasted longer.

Summer was fun at Hungry Mother State Park, but we're sad it's over

Can you guess where this cabin is located?

POST VACATION BLUES

"According to a Trip Advisor Poll 73% of travelers begin planning their next trip to help beat the post-vacation blues. What do you do?"

Well I am glad you asked, here is what I do:

I plan a few small trips to Virginia State Parks during the fall and even winter months. This is a great way to break up the cabin fever during the colder months. Spending time at a park cabin playing board games, cooking together and enjoying time before a roaring fire is always fun.

With off season rates it is an affordable weekend getaway, especially since we won't be eating out but preparing meals ourselves in the cabin kitchen. We invite a couple of the girl's friends to come along as well, since we typically choose cabins with bunkbeds.

Cabins are beautiful after a light snowfall

Spend time together by the fireplace in the colder months and explore the park

Bring your favorite games and enjoy precious family time away from technology

PLANNING CONUNDRUM

I also like to pre-plan our next summer vacation (usually a one week getaway to a Virginia State Park cabin or family lodge). This gives us something to look forward to when the colder weather hits.

Each year as our daughters were growing up our family tried different Virginia State Parks, and we always said at the time, when we were enjoying fun in the sun, cooking out, riding bikes, fishing, hiking and exploring the great outdoors that we want to come back. 

So the decision had to be made as to which park and which cabin we wanted to visit. Do we go to the park we just thoroughly enjoyed or spend our hard earned money on the possibility of enjoying a different park? This is what we always needed to decide and work out to reserve our preferred cabin in advance. Since I typically booked next year's cabin while the iron was hot, since you can reserve a cabin 11 months in advance. 

Picture yourself relaxing on this deck at James River State Park

PRECIOUS RESOURCE

I have been fortunate to be able to see featured cabin articles, and many photos on Facebook which helped give some direction for booking next year. I also learned that I could ask Nancy Heltman, Visitor Services Director for Virginia State Parks on the Facebook page about a park or cabin and she always gave me very valuable insight.

A helpful hint

Every time a cabin is featured in a blog article if you click on it you can find out what the cabin number is and at which park. Go ahead and test this out, click on the cabin at James River State Park above.

CLOSE BY

Did you know you are within an hour's drive of a Virginia State Park no matter where you go in Virginia? See the map below.

There are 37 Virginia State Parks and at least one park near you

REALITY HITS

Yep, another year's vacation is over and we now have the post vacation blues. We had such a good time and we want to keep that happy family momentum going throughout the year when fall and winter start closing us in. We can't always just rent a cabin when we want, or go camping when the kids are back in school. So what else is there to do?

Virginia State Parks has special programming throughout the year, like seasonal events and nature programs. The parks are open year-round so you also have the option of self-guided activities like geocaching and earning pins on your Trail Quest Adventure. You can always visit a Virginia State Park for the day and have heaps of fun.

STAY IN TOUCH

Keep your eyes on Virginia State Parks social media

My recommendation would be to follow this blog, the Virginia State Parks Facebook page and the Virginia State Parks eNews to get updates about special events to help plan a spur of the moment getaway.

Virginia State Parks posts good stuff on Twitter, so if you like to tweet, follow us here. You don't have to plan or go in for anything major, or overnight if you want to attend a family event like the seasonal Sky Meadows State Park Fall Festival or the annual Lighting of the Tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park. 

There is also the #OptOutside hike and photo contest, and the annual #FirstDayHike (with photo contest) that are a lot of fun. But just getting outside does wonders. 

Another helpful hint

Virginia State Parks announces last minute cabin discounts every Thursday, so all you have to do is call the Reservation Center at 800-933-7275 to inquire which cabins are available for that coming weekend and you can save 25% on the reservation rate. Just mention the last minute cabin special.

Search our events database here to find something that fits within your schedule, and to help beat those post vacation blues.

THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF FUN TO BE HAD AT VIRGINIA STATE PARKS