Discover insights from a birder about her favorite Virginia State Parks for birdwatching. Get recommendations on specific trails or areas within the parks that are ideal for seeing birds.

Virginia State Parks received 221,132 hours of time from more than 8,000 volunteers in 2024. Every year parks have the opportunity to nominate volunteers for the annual Volunteer of the Year awards. Read who won this year and why.

Virginia is home to five International Dark Sky Parks, four of which are state parks. They earned their designations from DarkSky International for their exceptional quality of starry nights. However, light pollution is a growing concern.

Virginia State Parks offer a variety of options for learning and practicing archery. Whether you are interested in just taking a shot at it or looking for a group to join, check out these parks that hit the bull’s-eye with opportunities.

Whether you prefer fishing in lakes, rivers, creeks, oceans or the bay, there are plenty of places to cast your line at a Virginia State Park. To enjoy more time on the water be sure to book your stay in a cabin, campground, yurt or lodge.

We asked the first person to complete our Wandering Waters Paddle Quest program to tell us about her experience wandering the waters of 31 Virginia State Parks. For completing the program, Colleen Renderos received her Master Paddler certificate.

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the challenge of finding the perfect gifts for friends and loved ones. If you want to avoid crowded malls and generic presents, consider a trip to one of Virginia's state parks.

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.

Whether or not you are a student, taking a fall break is good for mind, body and spirit! And Virginia State Parks are filled with green spaces that can help you refresh and enjoy the autumn season to the fullest.

These amazing fall getaways include incredible nearby attractions like breweries, wineries and unique historic sites to explore.