Relax, Rejuvenate, Revel and Rejoice in Long Weekends at Virginia State Parks

Check the school calendar and make your reservations now!

Back-to-school days are upon us and as I anxiously wait for my daughter to get home from her first day of high school, I can't help but think about a conversation we had last night.  After much teen drama, discussions on appropriate clothes and make-up, many tears, and finally a quiet moment together, my daughter told me that she was much stressed about high school and wanted to know how we would fit in family time to relax, talk, and be friends.  Our summer vacation got scuttled due to some much-needed home repairs!  

My family's holiday photo at Douthat State Park. Fall cabin outings are great places to take family photos.

I assured my daughter that we already have reservations for James River State Park for a four-day weekend in November over the Veteran's Day holiday and we are working on our schedules to see if we can fit in another long weekend in October for Columbus Day or the October teacher workday. 

From James River State Park, we can explore Crabtree Falls, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and Carter Mountain orchards.  We will also hike up to the Tye River overlook at James River State Park to pose for this year's holiday photo.  (Holliday Lake, Bear Creek and Twin Lakes are also close by to do those same activities.) The great thing about fall in Virginia State Parks is that the week-long reservation requirement drops to a two-night minimum after Labor Day. 

Booking long weekends is affordable and easy 

The Tye River Overlook at James River State Park will be the backdrop for this year's holiday photo shoot!

I know things are busy for all of us.  I'm a married, working mother with two jobs, two children (ages 14 and 4), three cats, and an old house.  Adding one more thing--especially one that requires some extra meal planning and packing--can be tough in these busy times. However, that conversation with my daughter sealed the deal with me.  At age 14, she is already cognizant enough to recognize the need for some stretches of down time, of family time, and of friendship time.  While I'm sure she is going to ask if a friend can come along, that is okay with me.  The more children, teens, and families I can get to the embrace the outdoors the better I feel about the future of humanity.

Playing board games by the fire is on our To-Do list! Although I am also a part-time English instructor, my husband always wins at Scrabble!

So please, this week, while you are filling out all those school forms and adding those teacher workdays and school holidays to your calendar, book a long weekend or two at Virginia State Parks.  Let the frantic pace of back-to-school, pre-winter holiday chaos fall away and take some moments to breathe the crisp fall air, see the trees in their blaze of color, and sit by the campfire with your children and/or grandchildren.  Those are the memories you will cherish when your children are older and juggling their own jobs, children, and households.  Remember the campgrounds close the first Monday after the first weekend in December, but cabins are open year-round--even during the winter holidays!

Feel the joy and the crisp fall breeze during a long weekend in the fall.

To make a reservation, call our central reservation center at 1-800-933-PARK (7275) or visit www.reserveamerica.com to make a reservation online.  Our main website has great information about parks across the state and our park events database has great listings of park events and ranger-led programs.  If you plan your trip with several families, you can even book a private guided hike or program by calling the park's interpretive office directly.

Cabin interior at Douthat State Park.  Our cabins are really houses will full bathrooms, kitchens, heating and air conditioning.  We provide the linens, towels, pots, pans and dishes!  We have efficiency, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and six-bedroom cabins.

The Virginia State Park system has 36 award-winning parks, 25 of which have campgrounds, and 18 of which have cabins or family lodges.  Book your stay today!