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Making headway on trails

By Shellie LeetePosted June 06, 2011

 

"VIRGINIA IS HIKING HEAVEN"

Hiking trail near historic Carter House at Natural Tunnel State Park
Hikings trail at Natural Tunnel State Park pass by the historic Carter House 
 
Saturday was National Trails Day, which makes today a better day than most to expound, evaluate and dream on the subject of trails locally and statewide.
 
Central Virginians have it good, far better than most urban areas, in the amount and quality of paths suitable for walking, running, biking and other outdoor pursuits.
 
The trails of the James River Park System are nationally known and recognized. The XTERRA triathlon series stops here every year because of them, and the group's "Fugitive 10K" held the day before the triathlon recently was named a top-32 trail race in the nation by Runner's World Magazine.
 
In state parks, historic sites and natural-area preserves, all DCR-owned land, there are more than 500 miles of trails. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Wildlife Management Areas offer hundreds more miles, and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have untold miles in the western part of the state.

Read the entire article "Making headway on trails" by Andy Thompson from The Richmond Times-Dispatch here.

Learn more about the trails and amenities at Natural Tunnel State Park here.

Learn more about all 35 Virginia State Parks here.

Virginia State Parks celebrate 75 years of Family, Friends and Fun in 2011! We hope you can join the celebration and enjoy the trails at all of your Virginia State Parks, and bring a friend!

PARKS
Bear Creek Lake State Park  |  Belle Isle State Park  |  Caledon State Park  |  Chippokes State Park  |  Claytor Lake State Park  |  Douthat State Park  |  Fairy Stone State Park  |  False Cape State Park  |  First Landing State Park  |  Grayson Highlands State Park  |  High Bridge Trail State Park  |  Holliday Lake State Park  |  Hungry Mother State Park  |  James River State Park  |  Kiptopeke State Park  |  Lake Anna State Park  |  Leesylvania State Park  |  Mason Neck State Park  |  Natural Tunnel State Park  |  New River Trail State Park  |  Occoneechee State Park  |  Pocahontas State Park  |  Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park  |  Raymond R. "Andy" Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park  |  Sky Meadows State Park  |  Smith Mountain Lake State Park  |  Southwest Virginia Museum  |  Staunton River Battlefield State Park  |  Staunton River State Park  |  Twin Lakes State Park  |  Westmoreland State Park  |  Wilderness Road State Park  |  York River State Park
CATEGORIES
Animals  |  ATV  |  Biking  |  Bird Watching  |  Birds  |  Boating and Water Sports  |  Cabins and Lodges  |  Camping  |  Canoeing and Kayaking  |  Civil War  |  Community  |  Educational Activities  |  Explore  |  Fishing  |  Geology  |  Get Outside  |  Ghost Stories  |  Gifts and Shopping  |  Going Green  |  Government  |  Hiking  |  History  |  Horseback Riding  |  Hunting  |  Insects  |  Kids  |  Learn  |  Learning Opportunities  |  Outdoor Activities  |  Outdoor Destinations  |  Photography  |  Picnicking  |  Podcasts and Media  |  Special Events  |  Swimming  |  Trees and Plants  |  Virginia Association for Parks  |  Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail  |  Volunteer Opportunities  |  Wildlife  |  Wildlife Viewing  |  Winter Activities

If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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